Summary

  • Maisie Williams would have been the perfect Vin actor for Mistborn 10 years ago.
  • Vin should be played by a young actress in her late teens to authentically bring her arc to life.
  • Getting Vin right is crucial for the success of a Mistborn movie adaptation.

Considering casting for a hypothetical casting choices for Vin is one of the most crucial steps to nailing the series.

Vin is the hero of the original Mistborn trilogy, as well as one of the most beloved characters in the entirety of Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere universe. Mistborn varies based on the volume, but she starts out as a 16-year-old girl and ends up around 21. For three films, selecting a young actress in their late teens is paramount for authentically bringing Vin's arc to life, as her coming of age and beginning to explore her feelings about friends and her romantic interest is vital to the story.

Maisie Williams Would Have Been The Perfect Vin Actor For Mistborn (10 Years Ago)

Maisie Williams Could Capture Vin's Complexity

Maisie Williams is a 27-year-old actress best known for playing Arya Stark in all eight seasons of Game of Thrones. While the star still has a youthful appearance, and it isn't entirely uncommon for actors in their late 20s to play teenagers, a Mistborn adaptation deserves the aforementioned authenticity in having a teenager cast in the role. Generally, exploring an unknown talent might be the best option for a fresh start for the franchise, but it's still fun to consider the possibility of Maisie playing Vin, as she truly would've been awesome in the role.

it's equally important for Vin to be played with a touch of graceful sensitivity as she explores her femininity and romantic side.

Maisie fits the physical appearance of Vin, but there's so much more than that involved in playing a lead fantasy character. It's important for Vin to be believable as a tomboy, especially at the start, who has some rough edges and struggles to trust new characters. However, it's equally important for Vin to be played with a touch of graceful sensitivity as she explores her femininity and romantic side. Maisie Williams has proven capable of capturing both ends of this and also would have had the charisma to be the movie's lead.

Kelsier and Mistborn book covers
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Maisie Williams' Game Of Thrones Role Made Her The Perfect Choice To Play Vin

Arya Stark Fits A Similar Archetype As Vin, But There Are Key Differences

Arya Stark killing the Night King in Game of Thrones season 8 episode 3

Like many of the HBO juggernaut's cast , Maisie Williams will always be associated with the role of Arya Stark on Game of Thrones. While it's worth exploring the vast similarities and differences between Arya and Vin, it's fair to say they fulfill a similar archetype in their fantasy character mold. It wouldn't be fair to say that Maisie was capable of playing Vin just because she played Arya, but there are important carryovers that make her easy to visualize in both roles, especially in the middle seasons of GOT, where Arya is forced to survive mostly on her own.

In of their differences, the class variance they were born into is a contributing factor to Arya and Vin's behavior. Arya is highborn; Vin is lowborn. Because of Vin's upbringing, she's left in a state where she scarcely trusts anyone. Meanwhile, Arya is forced into her vengeful, distrustful nature by circumstances. A decade ago, it wouldn't have been much of a stretch to imagine Maisie stepping into a similar role with Vin. This is speaking in an ideal sense, though, as in reality, it probably would've felt redundant to have a GOT actor lead Mistborn.

The cover of The Hero of Ages with Vin flying through the air in front of other Brandon Sanderson book covers
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Why Getting Mistborn's Heroine Right Is Crucial For The Movie Adaptation

Vin Is The Most Vital Character For A Mistborn Movie To Get Right

Mistborn protagonist Vin depicted in Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere RPG.

Many of Brandon Sanderson's best books revolve around ensemble casts, and the original Mistborn trilogy is no different. With that having been said, the central heroes of Sanderson's stories are vital to the overarching fantastical narratives, as they undergo complex emotional arcs that allow readers to connect to their lives. Casting a lead who can convey Vin with sensitivity and nuance is absolutely crucial to making a successful Mistborn movie, especially when it comes to sequels.

Picking a well-known, charismatic actor for Kelsier can be a solid boon for The Final Empire's film version, giving the series some initial commercial appeal to invite new audiences who haven't read the books into the world. But, with Kelsier dying in the first book, Vin needs to be able to hold her own in the follow-up movies just like the book Vin holds her own in the novels. Elend and Sazed will be important characters, but Vin has by far the most POV chapters in Mistborn, and nailing her casting is essential.