Story Casting...For the movie in your mind October 13, 2008
I recently was contacted by Twitter buddy Jeff Reid. Jeff runs a website called Story Casting...for the movie in your mind. The premise is quite simple, name a book you love and then cast it as if it was a movie. People can then vote for who they'd like to see in the parts.
For example, the featured movie is To Kill a Mockingbird and so far, George Clooney is leading the vote as Atticus Finch, with Abigail Breslin as Scout, Johnny Depp as Arthur "Boo" Bradley and Don Cheadle as Tom Robinson.
According to Jeff, they started with a database of about 60K titles and thousands of authors, plus 5K actors. For now, only he and his staff can actually add titles and actors directly. Under his direction, they've added books whose authors he wanted to entice on the site. He still has a huge list of authors who he wants to come on and cast their own stuff, but they mostly get a lot of of new authors simply because people request them. There is a "contact us" on the site and anybody, member or not, can use it.
Of course, this idea is not new. For years Stephanie Plum fans have begged for a movie and Janet Evanovich has said she'd like Sandra Bullock to play Stephanie, although her website names Reese Witherspoon as the person currently tied to the project.
F. Paul Wilson's Repairman Jack has been in movie development for years and his fans lean toward John Cusack (my personal favorite) for the part. For Tori Carrington's Sophie Metropolis, her readers are screaming for Hugh Jackman to portray Jake Porter. While Heather Graham'sDead on the Dance Floor, isn't going to be a movie soon, Heather was cast as the murder victim in the book video. So, she may be up for the part if a movie is ever made.
So, what about you? Who would you cast in in your favorite book movie? Or if the book movie is already made...who would you substitute?
Bottom Line: The movies never quite seem to meet my expectations after reading the book, but for some reason, I'd love to see them acted out by the actors I choose. I need more movie connections.
October 13, 2008 In response to:Story Casting...For the movie in your mind Amanda commented:
I've always wanted to see Catherine Zeta-Jones as the kick-ass Kinsey Malone from the Sue Grafton books.
October 13, 2008 In response to:Story Casting...For the movie in your mind CHRISTINE commented:
It's fun to do your own casting--particularly when you think what Hollywood has done. So many times the author gives a perfectly detailed description and the casting isn't anywhere close to the character. And when you're a loyal reader that's very disconcerting.
October 13, 2008 In response to:Story Casting...For the movie in your mind Marilyn AKA The Playground Monitor commented:
My sister and I have been casting the Stephanie Plum books for years. We agree on Sandra Bullock as Steph and think The Rock should play Ranger. We haven't figured out Joe yet. Sadly, the perfect actress for Grandma Mazur passed away recently -- Estelle Getty. We think Olympia Dukakis would be perfect for Stephanie's mother. And Louis Anderson should play Steph's brother-in-law Albert Kloughn.
I remember watching the movie version of Linda Howard's Loving Evangeline and hating the casting. Or at least the hero. It was wrong, wrong, wrong.
I haven't read the Sophie Metropolis books, but if Hugh Jackman plays in the movie version, I'm right there on the front row, baby. I loves me some Hugh Jackman. *sigh*
October 13, 2008 In response to:Story Casting...For the movie in your mind mary s commented:
Wow--what an interesting concept/connection!! Thanks Barb for exposing us to all this! More things to "surf" on the web! Any news on the "Smart Talk" series?
October 13, 2008 In response to:Story Casting...For the movie in your mind violet s commented:
Good morning Barbara--I sure hope you never tire of blogging to us because I sure enjoy reading your blog every day! Thanks--keep up the good work!
October 13, 2008 In response to:Story Casting...For the movie in your mind Edie Ramer commented:
I love George Clooney but don't see him as Atticus Finch. I think Sean Penn would be great.
I cast some of my own books, but not other writers' books. I've used Sandra Bullock too.
October 13, 2008 In response to:Story Casting...For the movie in your mind Trixie commented:
To Kill a Mockingbird has already been made into a movie that would be virtually impossible to improve upon. Gregory Peck is legendary as Atticus Finch and the children cast in the 1961 production were stellar. Why mess with it when it was perfect the first time out?
October 13, 2008 In response to:Story Casting...For the movie in your mind Jody Wallace commented:
I'm never any good at thinking up people to play roles from books, but I always love seeing who gets picked when something gets filmed! Like, I tried to think who I'd pick to play Mercy Thompson and I'm drawing a total blank. But I love that series.
October 14, 2008 In response to:Story Casting...For the movie in your mind Kristen Painter commented:
I just wish someone would make a vampire movie starring Vin Diesel. I'd love to see him as a vamp!
October 14, 2008 In response to:Story Casting...For the movie in your mind Monica Burns commented:
I don't care what the movie is, I've yet to see a movie with Johnny Depp as the star that I didn't like. He can make a bad movie good. So any book, any male lead, it would be good with JD
October 15, 2008 In response to:Story Casting...For the movie in your mind Alana Abbott commented:
Whether or not I see a movie based on a book I loved has a lot to do with the particular book and the particular movie. I've definitely enjoyed movie adaptations--and others I've found horrible. In rare instances, I've found that the film version either enhances or improves upon the original. With a title I'm really interested in, I'll watch the media surrounding it and decide whether or not I think it will be something I can enjoy. The adaptation of The Dark Is Rising, for example, had nothing from the trailers to recommend it, because it was so loosely based (meaning it had a similar title and a few similar elements, but otherwise the appearance of a completely different plot and story).
October 27, 2008 In response to:Story Casting...For the movie in your mind Michael McGovern commented:
Clooney's great, but for Finch I would go with Daniel Day Lewis instead. He just has a certain gravitas I think the role requires. Great call on Depp as Boo.
October 27, 2008 In response to:Story Casting...For the movie in your mind Michael McGovern commented:
Clooney's great, but for Finch I would go with Daniel Day Lewis instead. He just has a certain gravitas I think the role requires. Great call on Depp as Boo.
