Roger in Return of the King

["L. Bird" <pkeets@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

A couple of folks have already referred to Roger's performance here as a 
cameo.

Cameos (by definition) stand out.  They are meant to 1) promote the 
celebrity and 2) promote the movie.  Roger is invisible in this movie, and 
his character is an integral part that carries it forward.  Therefore, this 
is not a cameo; it is a serious role in a very serious and highly successful 
film.

We can expect Roger got this part because he was interested in doing it, and 
therefore his agent sent his name to the casting director who was searching 
for talent in the L.A. area.  It's just the kind of thing he likes to do--it 
would take about a week and not tie him up for any awkward length of time.

When you jump to a conclusion that this is a cameo, you're suggesting that 
no director would be interested in Roger for other than his celebrity 
status.  It's true that he does fall afoul of the cameo thing quite a lot, 
but in other films he does very good work as a serious actor.  With any 
luck, he can continue to find similar good roles in successful, big-budget 
movies and eventually move to A-list parts.

Meanwhile, enjoy the show.  :)


keets

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