History Characters / TheSorcerersApprentice

* BadassInCharge: The leader of the Merlineans, and the only one we see in modern times.

* ShesGotLegs: The introduction to her older self is a shot that pans up from her legs. Complete with StockingFiller. Lampshaded when she thinks Dave searching for a paper under her table is him peeking at her legs.

* {{Nerd}}: Downplayed. Dave is really nerdy and socially awkward, with his interests seemingly comprising of only physics (and Becky). However, there is more to him than meets the eye, and he becomes a more well-rounded person later on after undergoing CharacterDevelopment.

* AwesomeMcCoolname: Admittedly pretty cool.

-->'''Portrayed by:''' Creator/TeresaPalmer, Creator/PeytonRList (as ten-year-old Becky)

* GenericDoomsdayVillain: Uber powerful, uber evil, uber dangerous, uber scary, yadda, yadda, yadda. But nothing more. She is the threat to overcome and that's that.

* CoolHat: A classy bowler hat.

* HollywoodNerd: Downplayed. Dave is really nerdy and socially awkward, with his interests seemingly comprising of only physics (and Becky). However, there is more to him than meets the eye, and he becomes a more well-rounded person later on after undergoing CharacterDevelopment.

-->'''Portrayed by''': Creator/JayBaruchel, Creator/JakeCherry (as a ten-year-old)

* WorldsStrongestMan: [[spoiler: By the end of the movie, he is the single most powerful sorcerer in existence.]]
* YoureInsane: Asks Balthazar if he is insane, which he never truly denies.

-->'''Portrayed by''': Creator/NicolasCage

* InsultBackfire: When asked if he is insane, he makes a "little bit" hand sign.

-->'''Portrayed by''': Creator/TeresaPalmer, Creator/PeytonRList (as ten-year-old Becky)

-->'''Portrayed by''': Creator/MonicaBellucci

-->'''Portrayed by''': Creator/JamesAStephens

-->'''Portrayed by''': Creator/AlfredMolina

* APupilOfMineUntilHeTurnedToEvil: Once apprenticed to Merlin, his betrayal caused his demise.

* CharmPerson: Can use magic to influence people's actions, [[ShoutOut much to his apprentice's]] [[LampshadeHanging amusement.]]

* EvilIsPetty: And how!! The guy prepares the doom of everyone on the planet, just because he could not handle having his crush unrequited. Gee! Over-reacting much?

* VillainousFashionSense: He sure knows how to dress.

-->'''Portrayed by''': Creator/TobyKebbell

-->'''Portrayed by''': Creator/NicoleEhinger

-->'''Portrayed by''': Creator/AliceKrige

* APupilOfMineUntilHeTurnedToEvil: She learnt magic from Merlin, but could not stand his WithGreatPowerComesGreatResponsibility worldview and ended up in open conflict with him.

* EvilIsHammy: Very much so.

* PlayingWithFire: Unleashes devastating fire blasts.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Initial plans for the movies would have made Veronica a former Morganian who had a HeelFaceTurn.

* WizardClassic: One of the {{TropeCodifier}}s, no less.

* NervesOfSteel: Reasonably downplayed. After being kidnapped by a {{Shapeshifting}} sorceress, being held hostage, witnessing her LoveInterest casting spells, then learning about magic and the incoming apocalypse, she is understandably shaken and frightened. Yet, she quickly regains composure and insists to take part in the battle, despite Dave urging her to stay safe. And taking part she does.

----

* FashionVictimVillain: Just look at him.

* CreepyCute: She is a cute little girl, albeit one straight out of a horror flick...

* BadassBeard: He's an extremely powerful sorcerer, and most adaptations portray him with one. This movie is no exception.

-->'''Portrayed by''': Creator/JayBaruchel, Jake Cherry (as a ten-year-old)

-->'''Portrayed by''': James A. Stephens

-->'''Portrayed by''': Alfred Molina

-->'''Portrayed by''': Nicole Ehinger

-->'''Portrayed by''': Alice Krige

* {{Adorkable}}: Yep, pretty much.

* NerdActionHero: An {{Adorkable}} nerd who saves the world and kicks {{Evil Sorcerer}}s' backsides ... with science!

* MinionWithAnFInEvil: Drake simply follows Horvath because he admires the Morganians. However, he is more selfish than fully evil and looks quite uncomfortable when Horvath casually remarks that his plan involves [[WouldHurtAChild the death of a few children]].

* GoodCounterpart: To Morgana herself. Both are female apprentices to Merlin and tremendously powerful sorceresses, but where Veronica greatly respected her master and was altruistic, noble and caring, Morgana was selfish, ambitious, evil, and was the one who killed him in the first place.

* FatAndSkinny: The skinny to his roommate and BlackBestFriend Bennet.

* ShesGotLegs: The introduction to her older self is a shot that pans up from her legs.

The quintessential benevolent sorcerer, who taught [[BigGood Balthazar Blake]], [[BigBad Morgana]], and [[LostLenore Veronica, but was betrayed by his apprentice, Horvath, and killed by his mortal enemy Morgana Le Fay. He is the ancestor of the primary protagonist Dave Stutler, who is to inherit his powers and put an end to evil once and for all.

* MentorOccupationalHazard: Those familiar with the myths of Merlin won't be surprised to know that this happens in this adaptation as well.

* WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity: Her enormous power went to her head. Refusing to serve anyone? Suit yourself. Using your power for your own gain? Still legit but dangerous. Enslaving everyone because they are less powerful? Rot in hell, bitch!

The main character and the titular [[TheApprentice Apprentice]]. Dave was just an ordinary ten-year-old boy who lived in New York City when he stumbled upon the antique store of Balthazar Blake. Ten years later, Dave and Balthazar cross paths again. Balthazar tells Dave that he is the [[TheChosenOne Prime Merlinian]], a powerful sorcerer destined to stop the evil Maxim Horvath from unleashing the witch Morgana upon the world. Now, Dave must learn the ways of the sorcerer at the same time he tries to earn the heart of his crush, Becky.

* TheArchmage: Becomes that after he awokes as [[TheChosenOne the Prime Merlinean.]]
* BadLiar: Balthazar says this is a good thing.
* BadassBookworm: The reason Dave is good at physics is because he has natural magic talent. Even after becoming a sorcerer, he prefers defeating foes with his intellect and his knowledge of science.

* BeamSpam: His main mean of attack after he masters his powers.
* BewareTheNiceOnes: Dave would rather avoid fighting, even against villains out to kill him, but if the threat is too big he will not hesitate.
* BigDamnHeroes: Arrives just in time to save Balthazar from Horvath, telekinetically stopping his daggers.
* TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive: Maxim Horvath knows your name and could track you down.
* CassandraTruth: There really '''was''' uber-dangerous spellcasters around. Too bad none but one of them could see that.

** Morgana overwhelms him at first... [[spoiler: But as soon as he made her physical again and vulnerable to his magic, he reduces her to nothing with a barrage of energy blasts she cannot hope to counter.]]

* EarnYourHappyEnding: He earns his mentor's respect and his LoveInterest affection, saves the day and goes to Paris with his girlfriend for breakfast, [[RidingIntoTheSunset flying into the sunrise]] atop a giant, [[ItMakesSenseInContext animated bronze eagle]].

* ExactlyWhatIAimedAt: [[spoiler: He keeps blasting spells at Morgan after seeing her dodge them all. In fact he pretends to keep firing at her as a distraction, to bewitch the mop that will start the chain reaction leading to her demise.]]

* GoodCounterpart: To Drake Stone, as they both are apprentice to the BigGood and the BigBad, coming from humble roots and not taken seriously due to their quirks, despite their potential.

* HeroicLineage: Coming from very, very far in history. He is Merlin's descendant.
* HollywoodNerd: Downplayed. He is really nerdy and socially akward, with narrow fields of interest. But there is much more to the character, and he undergoes CharacterDevelopment.

* IneptMage: At first... He quickly gets the geist of his powers and starts taking levels in Badass for breakfast.
* IntergenerationalFriendship: Dave at fist does not trust Balthzar farther than he can throw him, due to not being told much. But overtime, he starts looking up to him and they become very close.
* LovableNerd: A very endearing one. His playing radio music with his makeshift Tesla Coils help him in no small part earning Becky's affection.
* MindOverMatter: He gains telekinesis spells that enable him to block revolving doors, levitate trashcans and stop flying daggers, among others.
* NerdActionHero: An {{Adorkable}} science nerd who saves the world and kicks {{Evil Sorcerer}}s' backsides.

* OnceDoneNeverForgotten: Dave is still infamous for supposedly wetting himself and babbling about duelling wizards as a fourth grader. Parts of New York even call a nervous breakdown, "[[PersonAsVerb pulling a David Stutler]]."
* OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent: Older as he is in college, but aside from that he fits the mold.

* RefusalOfTheCall: At first, Dave rejects his magic heritage and the burden of being TheChosenOne. Who could blame him? That's a lot to swallow after all.
** He eventually comes around as his relationship to Balthazar starts thawing.
* RidiculouslyAverageGuy: In addition to the above, to drive the point that appearances hardly matter.

* SupportingProtagonist: While he is TheHero, Balthazar is the one who does the traditional heroic deeds. [[JustifiedTrope Justified]], since he is only an apprentice, and therefore, not suited to fight fully trained sorcerers like Horvath or Drake. At the climax, he fully awakens his magic powers and is ready to kick some ass.
* SurpassedTheTeacher: By the end of the movie, Dave is considerably mightier than Balthazar. Though he has yet to become more skilled and accomplished.
* TeenGenius: Dave is a higly intelligent grade A student, able to build Tesla Coils and conduct music on radio waves with them.

* UnlikelyHero: At first glance, this timid, meek and scrawny nerd with a nasal voice would not be one's best bet to save the world. At first...
* UnskilledButStrong: [[spoiler: As [[TheArchmage Morgana]] herself [[LampshadeHanging lampshades it]], Dave awakening as the Prime Merlinean grants him Merlin's tremendous powers and might, but he is not trained enough to fully master it. He more than enough compensates with his intelligence, scientific knowledge and quick thinking though.]]

* AndIMustScream: Spending ten years trapped in an urn, fully conscious.

* AwesomeMcCoolname: Admittedly retty cool.
* BadassBookworm: He is powerful and has a wide knowledge.

* BigGood: The mightiest and most influential force of good of the story, who takes TheHero under his wing.

* DentedIron: He hides it admirably, but it is clear that his centuries of battling evil have taken their toll and that he just wants to spend in remaining years in peace.
* DisneyDeath: Don't worry, people. Dave is right here to help!

* TheHero: While Dave is the main character, Balthazar does the heroic deeds for the most of the movie and the story is about his feud with his EvilFormerFriend, which only [[TheChosenOne Dave]] can end for good.

* KungFuWizard: Downplayed, but despite his enormous magic power he is also very good in a purely physical brawl. He did grew up during TheDarkAges after all.

* LikeASonToMe: Balthazar grows to care deeply for Dave, and the feeling's mutual.

* MentorArchetype: The powerful but ageing master who finds the [[OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent ordinary college student]] to tell him about his supernatural potential, his destiny as TheChosenOne and training him to defeat the uber powerful BigBad threatening the entire world. Yeah, he fits the mold to a T.
* ObiWanMoment: [[spoiler: He knows he stands little to no chance of survival when confronting [[SorcerousOverlord Morgana]] and [[TheDragon Horvath]] on his own, but he does not care. He even sacrifices himself to seal Morgana within him, and later gets nearly killed, but Dave heals him. Disney we tell you.]]
* OldMaster: Not that much physically, but he has lived for centuries and he is a tremendously powerful sorcerer with loads of experience and skill.

* TricksterMentor: Balthazar will make Dave a powerful sorcerer, but if he can get a laugh at his expense or pull out a wierd, embarrassing lesson he won't hesitate.

* BadassNormal: Gotta grant her that, it takes major guts to climb a skyscrapper while deathly afraid of heigths, and disable a satellite dish on her own. One can be badass without being a fighter after all.

* ItWasAGift: Becky is distraught when she gets mugged and has to give up her bracelet, which belonged to her (presumably deceased) grandmother. Dave rushing after the mugger to give it back earns him his first points for potiential boyfriend.
* TheLoad: Nope. Not this one. [[spoiler: Becky sweetly tells the trope to suck it by being essential in foiling the EvilPlan.]]

* NiceGal: A genuinely sweet young woman, friendly and open with everyone. Even though she witnessd Dave's public humiliation when they were kids, she does not think less of him.

* SatelliteLoveInterest: Very nicely [[SubvertedTrope Subverted]]. She has a major hobby and friends apart from Dave, and they spend the movie getting to know each other and growing close, with romance slowly but realistically blooming. She also helps Dave foil Morgana's plot.

* SpannerInTheWorks: Becky would obviously be useless in a fight, but that won't mean she cannot help. [[spoiler: And she proves essential in derailing the EvilPlan while the sorcerers are out to fight.]]

* WillNotBeAVictim: So Horvath? You kidnapped her and thought she was just a DamselInDistress? [[spoiler: Say goodbye to you super apocalypse curse.]]

Merlin's third apprentice and Balthazar's LoveInterest. She and Balthazar were in love with in one another, causing the embittered Horvath to side with Morgana. In an attempt to permanently stop her, Veronica willingly absorbed Morgana's spirit into her own body and sealed herself into the Grimhold, hoping that Morgana would never be unleashed upon the world again. Unfortunately, Horvath has other plans...

* HotWitch: She is played by Monica Belucci herself, what else?

* GoodCounterpart: To Morgana herself, being female apprentice to Merlin and a tremendously powerful sorceress, but altruistic, noble and caring, who greatly respected her master, while Morgana is selfish, ambitious and evil and killed him.

* LadyOfBlackMagic: A benevolent example. She is beautiful, noble and poised, and her spells pack a mean punch.
* TheLostLenore: Sealed instead of dead, but she still counts. Even nearly a millennium after her disappearance, Balthazar is still pinning for her. Horvath as well demonstrates genuine heartbreak when he sees her rising, fully possessed by Morgana.
* LoveInterest: To Balthazar, which she reciprocate. And to Horvath as well, much to the three's suffering.

* SealedInAPersonShapedCan: Morgana's soul is trapped with her.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Initial projects for the movies would have made Veronica a former Morganian who had a HeelFaceTurn.

The Quintessential benevolent sorcerer, who taught the BigGood, the BigBad and the LostLenore, but was betrayed by his apprentice and killed by his mortal enemy Morgana Le Fay. He is the ancestor of the primary protagonist Dave Stutler, who is to inherit his powers and put an end to evil once and for all.

%% * ArchEnemy: To Morgana Le Fay, his former beloved apprentice.
* TheArchmage: Far and away the mightiest and most revered benevolent sorcerer in all of History. Only he (and his heir) can match Morgana.
%% * BadassBeard: Come on guys, how could he be Merlin without one?
%% * BadassLongrobe: He could not be a WizardClassic without one.
%% * BadassMustache: An old wizard of his level always has it.

%% * MentorOccupationalHazard: As expected...

* PassingTheTorch: Merlin was hoping to pass it to [[TheChosenOne his heir]], but had to pass it to his last remaining student.

%% * RobeAndWizardHat: He only wears the hat in illustrations though.

* WizardClassic: One of the Trope Codifiers no less.

* AllYourPowersCombined: In the FinalBattle, the Magic Rings he took from his apprentices add their power to his own, making him so powerful that even Balthazar no longer stands a chance. [[spoiler: Though it proves a double-edged sword.]]

* BadassBookworm: As powerful and skilled as he is well-read, cultured and knowledgeable.

* BadassTeacher: He is a grade A sorcerer and the students he releases from the Grimhold are very well taught.

* CharmPerson: Can use magic to influence peoples' actions, [[ShoutOut much to his apprentice's]] [[LampshadeHanging amusement.]]
* ClassyCane: He is never seen without his ornate cane, completing his SharpDressedMan looks. Overlaps with MagicStaff as it is his catalyst.
* ColdHam: Always perfectly poised, dignified and stoic, but still hammy as hell.

* DisproportionateRetribution: You dare love my best friend instead of me? Fine, I'll kill you both, our mentor and everyone! ''That'' will teach you!
* DissonantSerenity: Tells Dave that he is about to kill him in the middle of an almost cordial conversation, and remarks about the death of children as if commenting today's weather.

* EvilBrit: Looks like your quintessential British Gentleman, but wants to TakeOverTheWorld and kill everyone on his way.

* EvilFormerFriend: With Balthazar. They jump at each other's throat with intent to kill as soon as they see each other, but still trade banter like old friends disagreeing in a philosophical debate.
* EvilHasABadSenseOfHumor: Averted. His jokes are gloomy and dry, but he does have a witty sense of humour.

* EvilIsPetty: And How!! The guy prepares the doom of everyone in the planet, just because he could not handle having his crush unrequited. Gee! Over-reacting much?

* FauxAffablyEvil: He is polite, well-manered, poised and erudite, but can be scathingly disparaging, not to mention perfectly willing to kill any innocent on his way.
* FreudianExcuseIsNoExcuse: Oh woe is him, he became an EvilSorcerer out to unleash TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt, just because his crush loved another. DisproportionateRetribution doesn't even begin to cover how petty and disgusting it is.

* KickTheDog: That driver definitely should have known better than messing with Horvath.
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: Horvath steals the rings/amulets of Dave and the various Morganians he's allied himself with, making himself powerful enough to free Morgana unaided. [[spoiler: However, all that extra power makes him an easy target for Dave's tesla coil.]]
* KarmaHoudini: He's still loose out there by the end. Likely subverted though given that he was electrocuted, which according to Balthazar deprives a sorcerer of their power, in addition to loosing his MagicStaff, it can be guessed that he is now powerless and destitute.

* MagicKnight: A considerably powerful sorcerer and a very good fighter. He used to fight with a sword and still fights with one through telekinesis, but nowadays he turned it into a classy but no less lethal cane.

* MindOverMatter: Every sorcerer worth his salt master Telekinetic Magic, but Horvath displays the best feats with this form of magic.
* PetTheDog: Fully keeps his part of the bargain and releases Becky unharmed before leaving without killing Dave. Though he still fires a [[EnergyBall Plasma Bolt]] because he could.
* ReallySevenHundredYearsOld: Well over a thousand years old if not more.
* SealedEvilInACan: Twice. First, Balthazar traps him in the Grimhold. He escapes. Later, they were both sealed in a Chinese vase. They both escape ten years later.

* VoluntaryShapeShifting: Like his students, he knows how to take an unassuming aspect to caught foes off-guard. He likely taught them.

* AntiVillain: Tries to kill Balthazar and Dave, but he wants to belong and to feel validated more than to TakeOverTheWorld. He is clearly implied to not realize the full extent of his master's depravity.
* BewareTheSillyOnes: Just by looking at his entire attire and mannerisms, he may not seem like the kind of guy you'd take seriously. Then becomes surprisingly more competent as the film progresses and even learns to [[spoiler: morph himself as Dave]], and manages to hold his own against [[OldMaster Balthazar]] rather fine for a while.

* EvenEvilHasStandards: He is fine lording over people and amassing power, but he balks at mass murder... Too bad Horvath does not care.

* EvilCounterpart: To Dave, fitting the story's theme of [[GoodWitchVersusBadWitch the good sorcerers opposing an evil reflection of themselves.]] He is a young man taken under wing by a powerful Master Sorcerer, and a bit of a ditz who nevertheless proves skilled and craves recognition.

* FreudianExcuse: His mentor (and implied ParentalSubstitute) bailed on him without notice, leaving him to fend off for himself while he was but a teenager without full training. Ouch...
* IncompletelyTrained: His own mentor disappeared without a trace before finishing teaching him.
* IJustWantToBeSpecial: Drake just wanted to complete his training and join the sorcerers he idolized. In contrast to Dave's IJustWantToBeNormal. Too bad, he chose the wrong side...

* ALighterShadeOfBlack: Drake is willing to cheat, steal, and even kill Merlineans, but he remains by far the less evil of all morganians.
* MasterOfIllusion: His way to make a living. He can use it change his appearance to deceive others.
* MagiciansAreWizards: He uses his magic on public, but people don't really notice.

* OutOfCharacterAlert: [[spoiler: His impersonation of Dave was genuinely good, but his use of British Slang (plus the black painted nails) gave him away.]]
* ShrineToSelf: Drake Stone condo sports many portraits of himself, some half-naked, around the house.

* VoluntaryShapeShifting: [[spoiler: Uses Dave's aspect to fool Balthazar.]]

* PintSizedPowerhouse: A small, eleven-year-old child, and one of the worse Morganians in history.

* VoluntaryShapeShifting: Uses the appearance of a PerkyGoth to get close to her target [[spoiler: Becky]].

* BeamSpam: Attacks with deadly rapid-fire barrages of [[EnergyBall Plasma Bolts]].
* ColdHam: She is both poised and regal, and Hammy as Hell.

** Morgana overwhelms Dave at first... [[spoiler: But as soon as he made her physical again and vulnerable to his magic, he reduces her to nothing with a barrage of energy blasts she cannot hope to counter.]]

* PublicDomainCharacter: One of the most famous villainess of all fiction.

* ArchEnemy: To Morgana Le Fay, his former beloved apprentice.

* BadassBeard: Come on guys, how could he be Merlin without one?
* BadassLonghair: To go with the beard and mustache.
* BadassLongrobe: He could not be a WizardClassic without one.
* BadassMustache: An old wizard of his level always has it.

* MentorOccupationalHazard: As expected...

* RobeAndWizardHat: He only wears the hat in illustrations though.