Name Jane Eyre’s Rochester

Do we ever get tired of Jane Eyre remakes?

Um … no. And Wuthering Heights remakes either, for that matter. But the next remake of the latter will not be released until the end of September in the UK, and they’re not giving a date for the USA yet.

“Jane Eyre” starring Mia Wasikowska in the title role, on the other hand, will be released on March 11, 2011.

First impressions aren’t always 100% on target, but we’re getting an Agnes Moorehead feeling from Aunt Reed in the trailer.

Michael Fassbender is Jane’s Rochester in this one. In real life he is 12 years older than Mia.

Can you name the actor who played Rochester to these Janes? Don’t worry, we’ll tell you how much older her leading man was.

2006:  Ruth Wilson was nominated for both an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her portrayal of the embattled governess.

1997:  Samantha Morton, who also played Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s wife in Pandaemonium, was Jane Eyre in this 2 part production.

1996:   Charlotte Gainsbourg was the grown-up Jane.  Anna Paquin was young Jane.

1983:   Zelah Clarke was Jane in this 11 episode TV mini-series.

1973:  Irish actress, Sorcha Cusack in the title role

1970:  Susannah York, who passed away just last month, was Jane Eyre.

1943:  Joan Fontaine was big Jane and Peggy Ann Garner was the young orphan.  At 93, Joan must be the oldest living Jane Eyre as of this writing. This is the one where Agnes Moorehead played rotten old Aunt Reed.
Update: Joan Fontaine passed away on December 16, 2013 at the age of 96.

OK that’s enough for now. But just to fill up some space before we give you the answers, here are some more actresses who played Jane Eyre:

Virginia Bruce

Mabel Ballin

Ann Bell

Meantime there are two versions of “Wide Sargasso Sea,” the tale of Rochester in Jamaica with Antoinette

In 1993, Karina Lombard played Antoinette Cosway to Nathaniel Parker’s Rochester.  8 years older than Karina.

In 1996, Rebecca Hall was Antoinette and Rafe Spall was Rochester. Rafe is just a year older than Rebecca.

…

Now for the answers:

2006: Toby Stephens was Rochester, 13 years older than Ruth

1997:  Ciaran Hind, 24 years older than Samantha.

1996:  William Hurt was Rochester, 21 years older than Charlotte.

1983:  Timothy Dalton was Rochester, 10 years older than Zelah.

1973;  Michael Jayston, 14 years older than Sorcha.

1970:  George C. Scott, 12 years older than Susannah.

1943:  Orson Welles was Rochester, 2 years older than Joan Fontaine