I've never heard of John Simm. What's his voice like?

Personally I think that Ricky Gervais would make a very good Shift.

Andy Serkis...in his Screwtape voice.

I've never heard of John Simm. What's his voice like?

Personally I think that Ricky Gervais would make a very good Shift.

Never heard of John Simm? I shall attempt to remedy that. John Simm is an English actor who I first became a fan of after seeing him playing the villainous Mr. Saxon in Dr. Who.
He is also known for playing the lead character in the hit drama Life On Mars and has had notable roles in other dramas - recently he was in a show called The Devils w***e, which was about the English Civil War. I think his voice would be perfect because he is capable of at once being authoritive and very amusing. And that's how I see Shift.
I get the sense that Lewis didn't tell us everything about the character. He was, at the start, very mysterious. A born manipulator undone by his worsening vices. Shift is perhaps my favourite villain in the Narnia series and I really think that a great actor like Simm could do the old ape justice.
Here's a video of him playing the Roman Emperor Caligula, see what you think

Andy Serkis!

I really don't see Serkis in the role. I don't think he'd be able to capture the cunning of Shift, he'd get the funny moments right, but not much else.

You don't think Serkis can play cunning? His whole role in LOTR is as a cunning, sly, deceitful character in Gollum.

A cunning yet annoying voice would be great. One that makes you want to grind your teeth in frustration.

Um....

Can't think of anyone! I'll post when I can.

I'm with Lady Galadriel on this one! Andy Serkis would be perfect!

I agree with having Andy Serkis doing the voice.
His voice in LOTR and character was so convincing to the naive. It will sound good when he convinces Puzzel.

I just think that Serkis is a cliched choice. It feels like everybody always thinks of the poor guy when you need someone to voice a CGI character of some sort. Know what I mean?

I think John Hurt would be a great choice though. Considering Shift is the Anti-Aslan I think he needs a voice that can seem very ancient and wise yet still reverting to madness at times of stress.
Hurt does indeed sound dignified. But if you watched him in I, Claudius you can clearly see how he is able to portray a very depraved, mentally unstable megalomaniac. Shift should really be two-faced. I'm not saying Serkis can't do it, I'm just saying he shouldn't.

It's an easy, safe, convenient option. As though you are merely turning off your brain and mindlessly ticking a box.

I see what you mean Ronny.
John Hurt can do an amazing job as well.
But now that I think more about it the more I want Keith David to do the voice for Shift.

so far, the only roles that Andy Serkis has been in movies (especially since LOTR) are the bad guys! in Inkheart, he did an awesome job as the villian, Capricorn! he has the most cunning voice I have heard! he would be the best for Shift!

I personally don't know who should do Shift's voice, but I did imagine it with a very British accent of an elderly man...
I don't know who could do that voice though!

Left-field, I know. But consider his talent.
What about David Tennant?

David Thewlis could be a consideration too.