Casting Call: Empyreans

Agrippina: 25k

The "Iron Grip" of the Aegis and matriarch of House Juventas, Agrippina Valeria Juventas, would be perfectly portrayed by Siân Phillips, who is probably best known for her role as Livia in the 1976 "I, Claudius" mini-series. This image has her looking suitably annoyed.

Alcmena: 33k

Alcmena Azurita Augustin, the imperious, precocious "princess" of House Augustus, is all grown up. But fortunately, so is her chosen actress, Kirsten Dunst. Dunst made an early appearance in Interview With the Vampire although she's since acted in Bring It On, Dick, and Drop Dead Gorgeous. This image was altered in Photoshop by her player.

Alethia: 19k

The French actress, Michele Mercier, who in the mid '60s, was the star of five Angelique movies (based on the novels written by Serge and Anne Golon), resembles Alethia Silvaina Januarius, the widow of Griffin Januarius.

Altair: 10k

The former Reeve of the Hounds with ties to Houses Januarius, Chryseis, and even Thanatos, Altair Leander Chryseis, would best be played by Marc Singer, known for his roles in V and the Beastmaster movies.

Apollonius: 14k

This portly playwright has the body of Alfred Hitchcock, but the voice of James Earl Jones -- just in case anyone imagined Apollonius speaking with that all-too-familiar lisp.

Calliope: 22k

Known for her role in Cruel Intentions, American Pie and Josie and the Pussycats, Tara Reid lends herself readily to the role of the young and impetuous Iris Calliope Jove.

Cazzima: 16k

Cazzima Pallas Themistecles, a Ceterion in the Praetorian Guard, chose Drew Barrymore for her Casting Call. Certainly after Charlie's Angels and Ever After, Barrymore proved she could play a strong, competent woman who can kick ass.

Cepheus: 11k

Bruce Willis, the wise-cracking cop from the Die Hard trilogy, the smart-mouth detective from television's Moonlighting, and the spooked child psychologist from The Sixth Sense, was chosen for the former Archon, Cepheus Deukalion Tritonides.

Cersei: 49k

Estella Warren, supermodel and actress (Daena in Planet of the Apes) was chosen for the role of the ever-poised Cersei Sophia Augustin, a former scribe and aide to the last Emperor.

Cicero: 28k

Cicero Marcus Acesian has been known by many names -- Cicero the Bloody, Cicero the Two-Faced, Cicero the Black-Handed, Cicero the Liar, and Cicero the Friend. And there's really only one actor capable of playing them all -- Geoffrey Rush, well-known for his role as Walsingham in Elizabeth and the Marquis de Sade in Quills.

Corael: 16k

Piper Perabo, who is probably best known for her role as Violet in Coyote Ugly, was chosen to play Corael Melissande Demitrides of House Demitrios, which is renowned for its skill in breeding gryphons. This image, complete with the birthmark marring Corael's cheek, was doctored in Photoshop by Astraea.

Cressida: 33k

Cressida Alexa Januarius, the diminutive, determined widow of Marcus Phineas Januarius and Aegian for that House, switched from Lauren Holly to Nicole Kidman. Kidman has more of that sharp, scathing wit coupled oft-times with a coquettish demeanor. She's starred in such films as To Die For, Far and Away, Practical Magic, and The Others.

Demetrius: 45k

Errol Flynn, the dashing swashbuckler from such films as Captain Blood and Against All Flags makes a perfect actor, even if he is deceased, to play the mysterious and unusual Captain Demetrius of the "Amarada."

Gabriel: 25k

After some debate, Gabriel's player switched from Iain Glen to Michael Biehn, of Terminator, The Abyss, and Aliens fame. He has that rough-edged quality that captures the Praetor-turned-politician so well, plus there are a damn sight more pictures of him available on the web than of his predecessor. This one was futzed with in Photoshop by Gabe's player.

Helena: 29k

Cameron Diaz is well-known in cinema, having starred in such films as Charlie's Angels, Vanilla Sky, The Mask, and Being John Malkovich. In the case of a hypothetical Aether movie, she'd be perfect for this young noblewoman from House Jove.

Hemera: 26k

This sweet, innocent bundle of trouble, Hemera Lycenthia Thanatos, is the younger sister of Deus Cleon Thanatos, and chose Katherine Heigl for her Casting Call. Heigl was in the horror flick Valentine, as well as the television series, "Roswell."

Jana: 18k

Jana Horatia Tritonides, a gifted mage in Delphi and adjutor in the Aegis, has a new casting call now that the character is getting older. Anna Paquin is most noted for her role as Rogue in X-Men though she was also in Finding Forrester and Almost Famous. This image was doctored by the player.

Kallista: 19k

Hayley Mills, best known from her roles in Pollyanna, The Parent Trap, and That Darn Cat was chosen for Kallista Constantina Adonisa, a teacher of music and education in Haven.

Livia: 38k

It's not just the vocals on "Breathe" that could give a guy heart palpitations, and with Faith Hill for a Casting Call, Lavinia of Ionis, known more simply as "Livia," is bound to turn most men's heads.

Maximus: 10k

This all-American charmer has thrilled audiences in such films as Starship Troopers and Sleepy Hollow. Casper Van Dien's character of Johnny Rico in Starship Troopers is the perfect parallel to Maximus -- bold, brave, at times reckless, and not a little bit handsome.

Mnemosyne: 19k

Cheryl Ladd, from the "good old days" when she appeared in the original "Charlie's Angels" (1977-1981) or such winners as Satan's School for Girls or Evil in the Deep, would be perfect for Mnemosyne Thalia Jove.

Nikolos: 18k

Nikolos Cassio Augustin holds more interest for snails and spiders than he does for ruling the House he will eventually inherit. The mischievous little scamp would be perfectly portrayed by Mason Gamble, best known for his role as Dennis the Menace in the 1993 movie of the same name.

Nox: 8k

Nox, a dark Empyrean and Outcast mercenary, would be best portrayed by Michael Jackson, whose somewhat androgynous look fits the character perfectly.

Octavian: 19k

Octavian's player finally settled on Jude Law for his Casting Call choice, to play the roguish flirt from House Jove. Jude Law has been in such films as Gattaca, The Talented Mr. Ripley, and A.I.

Olivia: 18k

Michelle Pfeiffer's luminous beauty and seemingly unruffled serenity are perfect for the part of Olivia Augustin Jove, the wife of Magnus Jove. Pfeiffer may be best known for her roles in Dangerous Liaisons, Ladyhawke, Dangerous Minds, and What Lies Beneath.

Pirro: 11k

The player for Pirro Gregor Chryseis thought the actor Sean Kanan ("The Bold and the Beautiful" and "General Hospital") made a good face for his character, especially with that faint smirk of his.

Proserpina: 32k

Stubborn, strong-willed, and determined, Proserpina Valeria Tritonides has quite a lot in common with many of the roles that Susan Sarandon has played, in movies such as The Client, Dead Man Walking, and Stepmom. This black and white photo was colorized in Photoshop by Astraea.

Sebastienne: 28k

As Tienne grows older, her player felt that she was growing out of Leelee Sobieski. She changed her Casting Call to Elizabeth Shue, known from such films as Adventures in Babysitting, The Saint, and Leaving Las Vegas. This picture shows her frolicking, which is probably appropriate for the plucky orphan and befriender of mongrels.

Selene: 26k

Grace Kelly may have passed on, but she works perfectly for this hypothetical casting call, in the role of Selene Justina Jove Acesian, the Dea of House Acesius.

Telaera: 22k

Mena Suvari (from American Beauty) was chosen to represent the much doted-upon niece of Alcander, Telaera Amadea Acesian.

Theron: 9k

Theron Dorius Marcellus, the Imperator of the Praetorian Guard in Haven, chose Brian Cox for his Casting Call. Cox has been in such films as Rob Roy, Braveheart, Kiss the Girls, Red Dragon, and Manhunter -- in the latter two, he played the original Hannibal Lecter before Anthony Hopkins was cast in the role.

Tiber: 8k

Tiber, an Optio in the Praetorian Guard, is not a man to cross. Nor a man you'd want to meet in a dark alley alone at night. The German actor, Til Schweiger (Driven, The Replacement Killers), was deemed perfect for the role.

Xerise: 20k

The scholarly young historian and genealogist from House Januarius, Xerise, chose Myrna Loy, best known from the classic Thin Man films.

Zephyr: 22k

Val Kilmer, from movies like Top Gun, The Doors, and Tombstone, was chosen for the Captain of the Augustin House Guard, Zephyr Marcus.