The fifth installment in the Elder Scrolls series, Skyrim, took the gaming world by storm when it released in 2011. Although many fans of the franchise are still waiting for the next game, an equal number is content to replay Skyrim over and over again. There just never seems to be an end, at least in terms of the massive world, countless characters, and ever-evolving side-quests.
The main questline, on the other hand, is not as expansive; it can be completed quite quickly if the player puts their mind to it and refuses to be distracted by the infinite other possibilities that the game offers. There are several crucial roles in the main quest, and it will be the characters involved in them that will ultimately be cast in the film version of Skyrim — if such a thing ever materializes.
The Greybeards — Samuel L. Jackson, Jason Momoa, Naveen Andrews, & Hugh Jackman
The four Greybeards of High Hrothgar — Arngeir, Borri, Einarth, and Wulfgar — play the Dragonborn's mentor when it comes to unlocking their "thu'um." Interestingly Arngeir is the only one of them who can speak in human languages, as the others are far too deep into their studies of the Voice that they are unable to utter any word that isn't in the Dragon tongue.
He can be played by Samuel L. Jackson, as the actor is well known for his authoritative vocal abilities, while the remaining three can be skillfully portrayed by Jason Momoa, Naveen Andrews, and Hugh Jackman.
Astrid — Christina Hendricks
The leader of the Dark Brotherhood, first the Night Mother and later the Dragonborn, is Astrid at the beginning of the questline. She manages to unite the group of assassins together like never before, an impressive feat considering that those in this profession are almost always loners and misfits.
This is quite similar to how Christina Hendricks' characters in Mad Men and Good Girls (Joan Holloway & Beth Boland, respectively) maintains her position in fields dominated by men. Astrid could be based on either character, and it would work.
Balgruuf The Greater — Daniel Day-Lewis
Daniel Day-Lewis is best known for his serious roles in even more serious movies — Bill the Butcher in Gangs of New York (2002), Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood (2007), and the enigmatic Reynolds Woodstock in Phantom Thread (2017).
Who better to take on the job of playing Balgruuf the Greater, the Jarl of Whiterun, a man who maintains a precarious peace in Skyrim with an artful combination of diplomacy and political craft?
Elenwen — Olivia Colman
Olivia Colman has more or less proved herself an acting champion after her stunning performances in both film and television, notably as two of the most crucial Queens in British history: Anne in The Favorite (2018), and Elizabeth II in Netflix's The Crown.
Colman's ability to switch between resolute and whimsical will hold her in good stead as she slips into the role of Elenwen, the First Emissary of the Altmer and Skyrim's Thalmor Ambassador. Elenwen is as cunning as she is impartial, both traits that Colman can effortlessly render on screen.
Delphine — Priyanka Chopra
Delphine is introduced as the innkeeper at the Sleeping Giant Inn in Riverwood, and there is no clue as to her real identity until after the Dragonborn follows the instructions mentioned in Ustengrav's "Mysterious Note."
She finally reveals herself to be a part of the secret organization known as the Blades, who were originally referred to as the Dragonguard. Priyanka Chopra's stellar work in Quantico (as Alex Parrish) as well as in 2019's Isn't It Romantic proves that Delphine's cryptic but fiery demeanor would be a cakewalk for the actress
Ulfric Stormcloak — Dev Patel
Dev Patel made his name with Slumdog Millionaire (2008) and The Last Airbender (2010), but it is his Saroo Brierley in Lion (2016) that fully showcases the gamut of his talents.
A wide emotional range is necessary to take on Ulfric Stormcloak, one of the most powerful characters, politically or otherwise, in Skyrim. The Jarl of Windhelm is not a man to trifle with, in part because of his control over the Thu'um: Patel's take on him would be interesting, to say the least.
Lydia — Emma Stone
Lydia, a Housecarl who is made the Dragonborn's Follower by Jarl Balgruuf, is a deceptively obedient person. She agrees to help out her liege in any way he sees fit, be it lugging his treasure or fighting enemies on his behalf.
Then again, Lydia often speaks with veiled sarcasm, implying that she is only there because she has been ordered to. Emma Stone, a veteran actress with roles in La La Land (2016) and Birdman (2014) is best suited to encapsulate the sassy paradox that is Lydia.
Alduin — Mark Hamill
Luke Skywalker aside, Mark Hamill has been acclaimed for his incredibly versatile voice-acting — in addition to a variety of villains, he has reprised The Joker in several media, including television, movies, and video games.
There aren't many actors who could don the mantle of Alduin, the World Eater, and the ultimate antagonist for the Dragonborn in Skyrim's main quest. This ancient dragon is not only overwhelming, but also extremely vicious and sadistic; nothing Hamill can't handle (and with style.)
Mjoll The Lioness — Charlize Theron
Mjoll the Lioness meets the Dragonborn in Riften, and immediately proves herself to be as brave as she is charitable. She cares little for money, but does what she believes is right simply because it helps others.
Her backstory, like Charlize Theron's Furiosa in Mad Max: Fury Road (2016), is especially saddening, since both of them experienced their families and childhoods being ravaged by violence. No matter, because Mjoll and Furiosa vow to make a difference any way they can, however much they have to struggle in the process.
Paarthurnax — Morgan Freeman
The Greybeard leader is no human at all, but a rather philosophical dragon named Paarthurnax. Although his early life is spent causing unwarranted misery and suffering, he matures into a gentle, kindly being whose only purpose is to see his once-compatriot, Alduin, be brought to justice.
Morgan Freeman's characters, whether in Driving Miss Daisy (1989), The Shawshank Redemption (1994), or Bruce Almighty (2003) show how exceptionally skilled he is at portraying wisdom, something Paarthurnax has no dearth of.