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Fermat - The
Movie
Believe it or not, there was a time
when a Hollywood studio was interested in turning my book
about Fermat’s Last Theorem into a movie. The film
never materialised, but it was fun to think about who might
play the main roles. Perhaps Tom Hanks could convey the angst
and the ecstasy of Andrew Wiles’s life, or maybe Sarah
Michelle Gellar could play a feisty Sophie Germain.
In a recent competition, I asked
visitors to the site to name actors who would be ideal to play
Pierre de Fermat, Andrew Wiles, Sophie Germain or Evariste
Galois.
Sean McManus suggested that
Pete Postlethwaite could play Andrew Wiles, whereas Peter
Keating preferred Colin Firth.
The winning entry was from Steve Futch. His
suggestions and reasons are below. For more about Hollywood
meets mathematics, I would suggest visiting
the Math in
the Movies site.
Andrew Wiles -
Soft spoken, aloof but only to a degree.....yet completely
engaged when the subject matter shifts to his preferred area
of conversation.
Obvious: John Cleese of Monty
Python fame. He's even got the accent down.
Less Obvious: Woody Allen -
the look is there but I'm afraid Woody's attitude would come
through as far too cynical.
Sophie Germain -
Independent yet not abrasively so.
Obvious: Julia Roberts - she
has a determined quality about her and her free-spiritedness
would come through.....problem: can she come across as a
free-spirited, determined intellectual?
Less Obvious: The girl who
recently played "Joan of Arc" in the American television
movie, Leelee Sobieski.
Pierre de Fermat: wow, now this
is a tough one. A few wildcards (let's try some that are
likely to be looking for work).
Obvious: John Goodman - Flighty personality but
commanding in his presence and size. High energy level,
as seems obvious to associate with a man of Fermat's
achievements.
Less Obvious: John Malkovich - This would be the
quality actor draw for the film. Capable of playing any
role and speaking in any accent, he's your man for Monsieur
Fermat.
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