An Outlander movie with Hollywood stars was planned years before its spectacular TV debut
Since being adapted for the small screen from Diana Gabaldon’s book series, Outlander has become one of the most popular television shows in the world. However, things could have been very different if the previous plans had been carried out.
It’s been more than three decades since Diana’s first book Outlander, also known as Cross Stitch, was published. The author joked that she wrote the 1991 story that is now classified as “practice” for “true fiction.”
Perhaps as a hint of things to come, the inspiration for the book came from one of the most beloved and popular TV shows of all time in the UK.
Diana revealed: “I saw a really old Doctor rerun. Jamie (the Second Doctor’s Scottish companion, played by Fraser Hines) struck me with his attitude and masculine bravado and I thought the kilt was rather attractive.”
Some might also think that Outlander’s success as a Starz show was preordained, but for a while it seemed like it was destined for the big screen.
In an article on her website, published ahead of consideration for the award-winning TV series, Diana admitted that the idea for an Outlander film had been floating around for some time.
When asked about the possibility of a live-action film, she said: “Yes, the books have been optioned several times for film rights, and Outlander is currently being optioned. It’s the kind of situation where you’re not holding your breath but just wait and see what happens.”
When asked if she had an idea of who should play the lead roles of Jamie and Claire Fraser, she revealed that although she was aware of what the pair looked like, she had yet to see any actors who strikingly resembled them.
However, she suggested that a relatively unknown Scottish actor would be a good choice to play Jimmy, and pointed to Alan Scott Douglas, who sang the role of Jimmy in Outlander the Musical.
It has since been revealed that Hollywood action hero Liam Neeson has been cast in the lead role. His portrayal as the slasher protagonist in the 1995 blockbuster Rob Roy may have given some credence to the suggestion.
Another star who was put forward for the role – and one wouldn’t have to fake a Scottish accent – was Sean Connery. Although the James Bond hero was in his 60s in the 1990s, and Jimmy is only 23 when we first meet him in Outlander, it might be a bit of a stretch, even for someone like him.
In an interview with eonline, Diana said: “It was years ago when I was first asked to adapt Outlander, when it was a feature film. But Liam Neeson and Sean Connery were the first contenders for Jamie.”
It’s now impossible to imagine Jamie and Claire without seeing Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe, who truly make the characters their own. But before the Irish actress perfected the role of Claire, there was a favorite rom-com character in the mix.
While the film was being discussed, Knocked Up star Katherine Heigl was apparently among the nominees. Katherine, who also starred in 27 Dresses and Grey’s Anatomy, hinted in a 2010 New York Times article that she could have headed to Scotland in 2012 for a potential film adaptation, which is when the rumors were strongest.
The role played by Claire was difficult. Showrunner Ronald D. Moore revealed that casting Claire was a huge challenge after Starz decided to adapt the series for television in 2012.
The Battlestar Galactica producer admitted he struck gold with Sam early on, but finding Caitriona for Claire required sifting through numerous auditions and tapes. Speaking to eonline, he recalled the crucial moment when Caitriona delivered the line: “Help, stop, he’s going,” while Jamie fell from the horse in an early scene, emphasizing her role.
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Diana also hinted that a film adaptation may still be on the cards, ideally starring the now-familiar faces of the TV series’ cast.
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