Let's dreamcast the movie adaptation of Joe Abercrombie's Best Served Cold
By Kyle Silagyi
Caul Shivers — Bill Skarsgård
Though Monza drives the plot of Best Served Cold, one could argue the novel is just as much Caul Shiver’s story as it is hers. The two embark on mirroring arcs throughout the book, with Shivers—a returning character from the original First Law trilogy—slowly adopting a new worldview as the novel’s primary protagonist backs him into increasingly challenging situations.
Given Shivers’ prominence in both Best Served Cold and the larger First Law series, it would behoove Miller and company to cast an actor of some renown in case the property proves to be a viable film franchise. There are a handful of actors who make sense for the role, but few are more compatible than Bill Skarsgård.
Shivers is described in the book as a young soldier who has already seen a lifetime’s worth of conflict; a tall Northman who comes from a land of harsh winters and harsher inhabitants. Skarsgård—a 33-year-old Swedish actor best known for his roles in It and John Wick: Chapter 4—checks the boxes, and his physical transformation for the upcoming movie Boy Kills World makes him look believable as an action lead.
Though perhaps not even the most obvious Skarsgård to dream cast as Shivers (Alexander did play an incredibly convincing Viking in 2022’s The Northman), it’s Bill’s relative youth and demonstrated acting ability that make him such a strong selection. Whichever performer ultimately portrays Shivers needs to effectively blend occasional (dry) humor with compassion and empathy, all while providing an intimidating physical presence. Skarsgård offers this medley and has the name value necessary to lead the First Law franchise past Best Served Cold.
Honorable Mentions: Henry Cavill, Dan Stevens, Tom Hopper
Nicomo Cosca — Antonio Banderas
In a world that’s filled with nuanced and well-developed characters, few are more colorful than Nicomo Cosca. The old mercenary is brash, bodacious, and bloody — he’ll murder a man in one moment and wax lyrical about his adoration for him the next. Imagine a medieval Jack Sparrow with a fouler stench; that’s Nicomo Cosca.
Cosca is intellectual despite appearing foolish, suave despite abusing himself for years, is endlessly likable despite his documented flaws. An actor taking on the role must have an undeniable charm and elegance mixed with ruthlessness and sincerity, and few seem like a stronger fit than Antonio Banderas.
Banderas possesses nearly every attribute necessary to provide a brilliant take on the character. Cosca is written in Best Served Cold as an aging mercenary, a loyal (for a price) man from a Mediterranean Europe-inspired region of the First Law world. Born on the shores of the actual Mediterranean Sea, the now 63-year-old Banderas is a physical match. He has shown throughout his career that he possesses Cosca’s confidence, his bravado, his swagger; hell, read any of Cosca’s lines from the First Law series in Banderas’s Puss in Boots voice and it would not seem at all out of place.
An Academy and Emmy Award-nominated actor, Banderas has the acting chops necessary to pull off the nuance that makes Cosca such a beloved character. Though readers are attracted to his bluster, it’s his more intimate moments that allow him to endure; Banderas is capable of delivering in both departments.
Honorable Mentions: Pedro Pascal, Paul Bettany, Tony Dalton