Film adaptations of books, do you see "their" character or picture your own?

[TwoIfBySea]

Following on from something Janeite said on the JA thread.

She mentioned Col. Brandon from Sense and Sensibility and I immediately pictured Alan Rickman (sorry but David Morrisey doesn't cut it.) Same as when I read the book.

So, indulge me here please

Do you see the actor or have you an image you made yourself of that character? Just being nosy curious.

[TrillianAstra]

If I read the book first, I have a picture of the character of my own devising, which may or may not get overridden by the film's character Usually it will unless I disagree strongly with the film's interpretation.

If I watch the film first then when I read the book I can't help but think of the film character.

[Antdamm]

i read da vinci code and seen someone who could have been tom hanks but for me, hhowever I imagined a totally different female character for the leading lady.
I sometimes cant watch a film where a character is completely different to how I imagined. Especially if its a book that I have been completely absorbed in. [stupid emoticon]