Moon Prism Power!
I always wondered what an AU version of SM set in America might be like. Then, I came across this challenge and decided to imagine one up for myself. Since several of the actresses chosen would be a perfect example of Dawson casting, I've decided to make the soldiers college students/adults and Saturn and Chibi Moon teenagers. Also, I've played around a bit with the names because some of the choices for the English dub anime made me wince. However, all my choices were based on trying to find people who could fit the look and personality of the original characters. This was a lot of fun to make, I hope you enjoy my silliness.
The story begins: Serena Lapin has just started her freshman year of college, hoping to make new friends, find a cute guy and maybe keep her grades up enough to please her parents until she gets discovered as a beautiful movie star! Everything changes the day she meets a stray cat who introduces herself as Luna. Serena's new pet tells the stunned girl she is the reincarnation of the princess of the moon, reborn to fight evil forces and one day become ruler of the world.
Well, who wouldn't believe that?
Amanda Seyfried is
Sailor Moon//Tsukino Usagi//Serena Lapin
On the character: Serena is bubbly, cute, and also, a bit of a crybaby. But when she's pushed hard enough, she's got what it takes to be a strong and mature leader of the Sailor Soldiers. Since her family lives quite close to the college, she is content to live at home, although she has recently moved in to the guest house. She discovers her powers and pieces of her destiny after her recently adopted stray cat Luna starts talking to her. After convincing herself she's not crazy, she begins the task of finding the soldiers who are already out there, and helping those who aren't to realize their fates.
On the actress: Amanda Seyfried was originally going to be my Venus. Then I realized I had nobody for Moon and decided she would be great as Serena as well. She's been used so much in this challenge that I actually hesitated to cast her, but with her incredible acting range, she really was perfect.
On the name: Serena being the original American name for Usagi and Lapin being the french word for "rabbit".
Nora Zehetner is
Sailor Mercury//Mizuno Ami//Anne "Annie" Frost
On the character: Quiet, polite and studious, Annie Frost is thought of as a bland nerd by most of her peers. She's dedicated to her dream of being a doctor, but enjoys swimming and occasionally painting (especially water scenes). She finds her inner strength as Mercury and starts to come out of her shell afterward. Later, she grows especially close to her mentor Miranda Tethys/Neptune, whom she idolizes.
On the actress: Nora Zehetner is small, sweet and fragile looking, just as I always pictured Mercury. As you can see, she also looks amazing in blue.
On the name: Anne meaning "grace" and Frost being pretty self explanatory.
Christina Ricci is
Sailor Moon//Hino Rei//Ramona "Rae" Mackenzie
On the character: Rae is a serious girl who likes to study ancient languages and practice archery. A wealthy politician's daughter who keeps to herself, she is often regarded as a snob. Rae also experiences telepathic visions about herself and those around her, which keep her from trying to get close to people. After becoming Mars and opening up a bit, she becomes more personable and establishes a close relationship with (and possibly a crush on) Serena. She is also the roommate of Mina, with whom she has a love/hate relationship.
On the actress: Christina Ricci is my favorite actress of all time, and I grew up watching her movies. When I first saw Sailor Moon, I always thought she'd be a perfect Mars, both in looks and fierceness. I still think so and it's hard for me to imagine anyone else in the role.
On the name: Ramona meaning "protector" and Mackenzie meaning "fire-born" (Irish origin)
Jewel Staite is
Sailor Jupiter//Kino Makoto//Mercedes Mead
On the character: The most athletic and compassionate of the group, Mercedes is a true friend. A child of multiple foster homes at University on a sports scholarship, all she wants is a sense of belonging. When fights break out amongst the girls, she's the first one to break things up and she barely every gets mad due to getting out her aggressions on the field. As Jupiter, she is one of the strongest fighters and always tries to protect her team members while they ready an attack.
On the actress: I've seen Jewel Staite in multiples shows growing up and her bouncy fun energy was exactly what I was looking for in Jupiter. She's a total sweetheart.
On the name: Mercedes meaning "mercies" and Mead meaning "meadow"
Emma Stone is
Sailor V/Venus//Aino Minako// Mina Devlin
On the character: Another aspiring actress, Mina is the "wild child" of the group. She's the first to try something new, likes to go out every night and changes boyfriends every week. Her antics sometimes cause conflicts with her roommate Rae, but she gets along with the other soldiers very well. She's also a bit of klutz, running into things because she's excited to share new events/gossip. But as leader of the younger soldiers protecting Serena she is always serious and is usually the first to attack. She is Artemis' owner.
On the actress: Emma Stone may not be a blonde, but she has all the pep and life I wanted for my Venus and she is gorgeous in a different and quirky kind of way. I also think it would be easy for her to bring a lot the humor I believe Venus would have.
On the name: I kept Mina which means "love" and Devlin can mean either "misfortune" (suits her clumsiness) or "fierce bravery"
Katherine Moennig is
Sailor Uranus//Tenou Haruka//Haven Kinsey
On the character: Haven Kinsey is a motocross champion who put her career on hold live the simple life (when she isn't fighting evil) with her partner, Miranda. She often hangs around the campus garage working on cars and bikes. She'll occasionally flirt with/tease Serena and Mina, but is extremely committed in her relationship. Haven becomes the confidante of Rae, when she starts to question her sexuality. As Uranus, she is an extremely aggressive fighter, especially when protecting Miranda or Serena.
On the actress: Kate Moennig is my ideal Uranus because the first time I saw her, I did what Minako and Usagi did with Haruka; I mistook her for a cute boy. She has spent the better part of her career as characters whose blatant androgyny is a fixture in their everyday style and she's tough as hell to boot. She fits my idea of Uranus so much that she was my very inspiration for this picspam.
On the name: Haven means 'safe place' and Kinsey means 'king's victory'
Michelle Williams is
Sailor Neptune//Kaioh Michiru//Miranda Tethys
On the character: An accomplished musician and artist, Miranda teaches painting classes at the college the younger soldiers attend. She is highly sought after by men (even by her future king at one time) because of her looks and talent, but is far too much in love with her partner Haven to get involved with anyone else. She likes to spend her time creating music/art and swimming at the college pool. As Neptune she helps with defense of her team, but if angry enough, she has some of the strongest attacks.
On the actress: Michelle is absolutely gorgeous and has a quiet strength to her that is essential for Neptune. Something about her just glows and from her more serious roles, you can see her passion quite clearly.
On the name: Miranda means "To be admired". Tethys was a titaness and sea goddess in Greek mythology.
Grace Park is
Sailor Pluto//Meioh Setsuna//Setsuna Meioh
On the character: A nurse at the high school the youngest soldiers attend, Setsuna is the roommate of Haven and Miranda, with whom she's been working with for some time. She is the eldest soldier and dedicated to protecting her future queen and princess. She is always on the lookout for evil and doesn't have much of a social life, although she has a great personality and charms those around her easily.
On the actress: I actually used to watch Grace Park on Edgemont, as opposed to BSG where most people seem to know her from. Her face popped into my head after trying about 5 other actresses for Setsuna and I kept coming back to her. Nobody else seemed to fit as well in my head as she does.
On the name: As in the original manga/anime, Pluto's name is Setsuna Meioh, translating to "Momentary Dark King".
Emily Browning is
Sailor Saturn//Tomoe Hotaru//Harmony Stillman
On the character: Harmony spent most of her life deathly ill. She's finally well enough to be at school with her peers, but is still weak and her only friends are the school nurse (Setsuna) and Sadie Lapin. She is a sweet girl until she becomes Saturn and from there her personality takes a darker, colder turn. She lives with her mostly absent, doctor father, her mother having died when she was very young.
On the actress: Originally, I had Ellen Page in mind, as she has done very well with playing dark characters before. Ultimately though, I chose Emily instead, something about her seems more suited. Probably because every movie I've seen her in has her facing horrible, dark situations (where I've more often seen Ellen as an optimistic and healthy looking girl).
On the name: Harmony meaning "united" and Stillman meaning "silence"
Dakota Fanning
Sailor Chibi/Mini Moon//Tsukino Chibiusa//Sadie Lapin
On the character: Serena's young "cousin" who comes to stay with the family is later revealed to be her daughter, sent from the future to train with her unknowing mother. She butts heads with Serena a lot and can be kind of bratty/sarcastic to her, but gets on well with every one else. Especially Harmony and Setsuna, whom she sees in school every day. She waivers back and forth with wanting to be a good soldier/future queen, and being a normal teenager. Her guardian is the kitten Diana, daughter of Luna and Artemis.
On the actress: Dakota is another highly used choice for this challenge, but I think she'd be amazing in the role. If you've seen her in Push, you've seen her be sarcastic, vulnerable and work the pink hair (even in streaks)all at once.
On the name: Sadie means "princess" and Lapin again, means "rabbit".
Milo Ventimiglia is
Tuxedo Kamen/Mask//Chiba Mamoru//Alexander Spalding
On the character: A T.A, in the literature department, who has recently discovered powers to fight evil, Alexander is a bit of a loner. He sometimes flirts with his colleague Miranda (although it never goes anywhere) or hosts discussions with his students, but mostly keeps to himself. He starts to find himself intrigued/annoyed by Serena who he keeps bumping into and getting into arguments with. Over time he discovers her identity as Sailor Moon and has to decide from there if he wants to help her and/or date her. Things get especially complicated when Sadie turns up...
On the actor: Milo is handsome, he can do mysterious, and he looks damn good in a suit, so I'm guessing a tuxedo would suit him just as well.
On the name: Alexander means "man's defender" and Spalding means "divided field".
with the voices of Naomi Watts, Christian Slater and Chloe Moretz as
Luna, Artemis and Diana
On the choices: Honestly, when I thought of who I'd like to voice the cats all 3 actors came to me on instinct. I think their voices match up quite well with the personalities (and I grew up on a Luna with an accent). Also, alternatively I would have loved Chloe Moretz as Sadie/Mini Moon.
Just for fun, I'm throwing in a dl for Save Me, my would-be theme song of choice for the series.
(Change xx to tt in the url.)