Who could play the colorful characters of Corpse Bride if the Tim Burton gem received a live-action remake? Released in 2005, Corpse Bride has everything one could ask for in a Tim Burton film. Gorgeous stop-motion animation, wondrous music courtesy of Danny Elfman, and a quirky gothic flavor that leaves you reaching for the eyeliner and playing The Cure records in total darkness. A spiritual successor to The Nightmare Before Christmas (which Burton didn't actually direct, contrary to popular belief), Corpse Bride sees Victor van Dort whisked into the afterlife after accidentally marrying a deceased young woman who died on her wedding night. Musical kookiness ensues.
To the surprise of absolutely no one, Burton cast Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter as his two leads, but Corpse Bride's supporting cast is rife with major names. Richard E. Grant, Michael Gough, Emily Watson, Christopher Lee, Tracy Ullman, Joanna Lumley and many more help bring Corpse Bride's macabre world to life.
Despite its enduring appeal, Corpse Bride has never spawned a sequel, but with streaming platforms rebooting and reviving properties at a frightening pace, it's surely only a matter of time before Victor's story is translated into live-action. Many would agree Corpse Bride's animated format played a considerable role in the film's success, but that won't stop fans wondering which actors could portray each character in a real-world setting. As impressive as Tim Burton's collection of voice actors may be, most of them would prove unsuitable in the flesh. If a live-action Corpse Bride movie were to happen, who could play who?
Freddie Highmore as Victor van Dort
Corpse Bride's Victor van Dort is a gentle soul, unassuming in nature and endearingly awkward, but morally upstanding when the occasion arises. In fact, he's not a million miles from a grown-up Charlie Bucket, especially the version seen in Tim Burton's own Charlie & The Chocolate Factory adaptation. Luckily, the boy behind Charlie has grown into a fine actor. Not only does Freddie Highmore possess the visual look live-action Victor would need, he exudes the innocence Tim Burton protagonists are renowned for. Since winning a golden ticket, Highmore has added horror to his resume in Bates Motel, so he wouldn't feel entirely out of place in Corpse Bride's gothic setting either. Adept at flawed, sympathetic heroes, Freddie Highmore is as close as you'll find to a modern day Victor van Dort. Although if Adrien Brody was 20 years younger...
Evan Rachel Wood as Emily, The Corpse Bride
Corpse Bride's titular cadaver is the film's most emotionally complex character. On one hand, Emily demonstrates the manners and decorum of an upper-class upbringing; on the other, she's still carrying the scars of a callous wedding night murder, and her world is thrown into further turmoil by an unexpected marriage to Victor. One actress who could marry together those conflicting emotions is Evan Rachel Wood, best known for her starring role as Dolores in Westworld. In the early seasons of HBO's baffling sci-fi series, Dolores is painfully innocent, kind to a fault and infinitely loving, but an inner sadness bubbles beneath the surface. These are exactly the qualities a live-action Emily would require in Corpse Bride, and while Wood is older than her undead character is supposed to be, the difference wouldn't tell. It's hard to pin an exact age on a stop-motion model, after all.
Anya Taylor-Joy as Victoria Everglot
Woman of the moment and star of The Queen's Gambit, Anya Taylor-Joy would make a solid choice for the Corpse Bride herself, but those talents might be better served in the role of Victoria, Victor's wife-to-be. Starring previously in Emma, Taylor-Joy obviously has a handle on Corpse Bride's old-fashioned aesthetic, and could inhabit Victoria's demure, elegant persona in her sleep. In the original Tim Burton animation, Victoria possesses an independent, defiant streak unusual for a woman of her era and social standing. This would be an element worth drawing out further in a modern day adaptation, affording Victoria the kind of agency audiences rightfully expect from female characters compared to 15 years ago. Anya Taylor-Joy is the ideal choice to elevate Victoria, adding new shades without making the character unrecognizable.
Richard E. Grant as Barkis Bittern
Casting a live-action Barkis Bittern, it's impossible to look beyond his original voice, Richard E. Grant. The actor was perfectly picked by Tim Burton, and while many of Corpse Bride's original cast simply wouldn't translate into live-action, Grant is still the premier option for Barkis Bittern. Since first voicing the villain in 2005, Grant has enjoyed a career renaissance with Logan, Star Wars and Loki. More importantly for Corpse Bride, Richard E. Grant polished his villainous chops as Doctor Who's Dr. Simeon - a Victorian era villain with an dim perception of his fellow humans, aligning with the Great Intelligence to thwart The Doctor. Grant's performance as Simeon perhaps gives a hint of what a live-action Barkis Bittern might look like, and his existing connection to Corpse Bride creates a thread of continuity between old and new.
Maggie Smith as Maudeline Everglot & Toby Jones as Finis Everglot
Victoria's parents are overbearing, oppressive and utterly dismissive of their daughter's feelings, using her as a pawn in their pursuit of wealth and status. Maudeline was originally voiced by Joanna Lumley who, like Richard E. Grant, could easily return in live-action, but a more natural choice would be Dame Maggie Smith, famed for her performances in Harry Potter and Downton Abbey. Always bringing a touch of class to proceedings, playing Maudeline would allow Smith to stretch into rare antagonistic territory - a challenge she'd surely meet with aplomb. For Victoria's father, Toby Jones (with a little aging make-up) could breathe life into Finis. From Sherlock to Captain America, Jones has a unpleasant selection of conniving villains on his resume, and while Finis Everglot wouldn't need to be that wicked, the character would be in safe hands with Jones.
Morgan Freeman as Elder Gutknetch
When Victor finds himself in the Land of the Dead with Emily, few of the locals truly understand his predicament. Meeting Elder Gutknetch, however, Victor encounters a wise old owl and a fountain of knowledge, well-versed in the intricacies of life, death, and everything in between. The grandfather figure (well, skeleton) also has a comforting tone of voice that commands respect and compliance without becoming condescending. Faced with such a role, which director wouldn't consider Morgan Freeman? Pick any performance from Freeman's back catalog and you'll find a natural mix of charm and authority - the likes of which is perfect for Elder Gutknetch. And after occupying the lofty position of God in Bruce Almighty, Morgan Freeman can bring the mystical, otherworldly quality Corpse Bride's afterlife Elder requires.
Helena Bonham Carter as Nell van Dort & Bill Nighy as William van Dort
Just like Victoria's folks, Victor's parents are an awful, self-centered couple who plan to marry off their son and ascend the social ladder. For the demanding and outspoken Nell van Dort, Corpse Bride couldn't go wrong casting Helena Bonham Carter. Another member of Corpse Bride's 2005 voice cast, Carter previously played Emily. While this shouldn't be replicated in live-action, the actress could be reassigned as Nell van Dort, drawing from previous characters such as Harry Potter's Bellatrix Lestrange and Alice in Wonderland's Red Queen. Carter's inclusion would pay homage to Corpse Bride's original cast, similar to Lin-Manuel Miranda role in the movie version of In The Heights. Unlike the other parents, William van Dort is somewhat more understanding toward his son. A relatively minor role in the animated film, Bill Nighy could bring bolder colors to William, balancing the character's comedic obliviousness with a slightly kinder demeanor than his wife possesses.
Jonathan Pryce as Pastor Galswells
Were Christopher Lee still with us, he could absolutely follow Richard E. Grant from the 2005 Corpse Bride to a modern live-action reimagining. The acting legend is, of course, irreplaceable, but if anyone were to step into the shoes of Pastor Galswells, the severe master of ceremonies presiding over Victor's marriage to Victoria, it's Jonathan Pryce. Another horror legend with a commanding voice, it's no stretch to imagine Pryce scaring the wits out of Freddie Highmore, and after playing an even more twisted man of the cloth in Game of Thrones, Pryce would be in his element.
Daveed Diggs as Maggot
Corpse Bride's setting and premise naturally demand an older cast, with more aging characters than youngsters, but Maggot presents an opportunity to remedy that. A green bug living inside Emily's head, Maggot constantly tries to spook his host, pretending he's her "conscience" and bad-mouthing Victor. Maggot would obviously be a CG character in a live-action Corpse Bride, and this demands a rare talent whose vocal can stand up against the in-the-flesh performances. Daveed Diggs is a voice who could do just that. The Hamilton actor would bring a fresh energy to Corpse Bride's period setting, but wouldn't feel out of place, since he exists only in the underworld. Diggs is perfect for Maggot's dry, morbid humor, and much like Anya Taylor-Joy as Victoria, could develop the character into something greater than fans originally got in animated form.