The actor you picture playing your characters!

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Nateskate

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Let's face it. Novelists often dream of a film, and may even see the film as the greater goal.

I make no bones about the fact that my goal is a book/movie deal. Be honest, who have you pictured playing your characters???

1) Elaborate if you'd like. 2) Who you might want to write a roll for if you knew you could do the screenplay and get that actor. 3) Who you wouldn't want for some reason. Answer whichever ones apply or skip.

1) Maybe I shouldn't say this, because it could gum things up when it comes to negotiating. But I think Jeremy Irons could fill the part of Cartemay the Seer. I think he could pull off serious/sympathetic/ and a wry sense of humor. He has to also be capable of pulling off a good whine every now and then, and be equally bold and self-effacing, as Cartenmay is at times powerful and at times a pathetic figure full of aliments.

2) Viggo Mortenson. I can't picture him in any role that I've written, but I'd be willing to fiddle with the screenplay if he wants in. He might have to settle for a cameo. LOL

3) John Malkovich and Kenau Reeves. I'm not saying JM is not a great actor, and I've liked some of his work. I just didn't like him in his role as a Musketeer or in Eragon. And frankly this is an Epic Fantasy set in antiquity. KR is also likable, very much so. But again, I see more of someone who could pull off classic acting.

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Claudia Gray

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Although I'd be delighted to have anything I wrote optioned or filmed, it's definitely not my main goal to have a movie made of my work; if it were, I'd write screenplays. I think it's somewhat self-defeating to have your goal be something so incredibly far removed from what you yourself can control.

That said, it's a fun mental game:

1) For my most recent WIP, Delilah, Susan Sarandon would be excellent as the MC.

3) Nobody who has had so much plastic surgery that she no longer looks remotely like her age! A Teri Hatcher/Nicolette Sheridan type would be the worst-case scenario.
 

c.e.lawson

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Gerard Butler. Because I'm sure I would include as part of my agreement with the studio that I would HAVE to sit down and have a very long and intimate interview with the lead actor (of course it should include candlelight and rare vintage Cabernet), thereby ensuring that he really "gets" my character. It's all in the name of artistic integrity, right? I'd make any sacrifice for the integrity of my work.

c.e.
 

girlyswot

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Gerard Butler. Because I'm sure I would include as part of my agreement with the studio that I would HAVE to sit down and have a very long and intimate interview with the lead actor (of course it should include candlelight and rare vintage Cabernet), thereby ensuring that he really "gets" my character. It's all in the name of artistic integrity, right? I'd make any sacrifice for the integrity of my work.

c.e.

So predictable! Would there happen to be a supporting role for, say, Kevin McKidd?
 

efreysson

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I generally don't think along those lines when writing, but I always picture one of my major supporting characters as Liam Neeson. He has the proper face, age, height, voice and persona, and a combination of his performances in Phantom Menace and Kingdom of Heaven would suit the character just right.

EDIT: Also, Clint Eastwood is a good deal taller than my main character, but about three decades ago would have had just the right face and voice.
 
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Calla Lily

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c.e. lawson, you'll have to fight me for Gerard!

Or he could do our movies back to back. I'll write a part in mine for you if you'll do the same for me. Scenes with major Gerard time, natch.

For the finished ms:
Jennifer Ehle (Elizabeth Bennet in the 5-hour A&E Pride & Prejudice)

For # 2 in the series:
Shia LeBoeuf as the teenage MC
Gerard [sigh] as the adult MC

For the mystery:
15 years ago, it would've been Karen Allen. Now, I'm not so sure.
 

Red Robin

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Liam Neeson, except that he's about 25 years further on than my MC. I don't know why I settled on him as the image of my MC, as I don't see any particular actors playing any other roles.

His IMDB bio says "he is a mentor/trainer/father figure to a younger man" in most roles. My MC is very much the opposite. Green, arrogant, and melodramatic, at least at first.
 

JoNightshade

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I would want my characters to be played by actors who were virtually unknown in Hollywood (mainly because I don't know anyone who fits what my characters look like, and I need it to be a perfect fit...), which would then rocket them to stardom a la Star Wars.
 

JoNightshade

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PS Oh yeah, one exception. This dude is Owen, the butler.

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Shady Lane

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I would want my characters to be played by actors who were virtually unknown in Hollywood (mainly because I don't know anyone who fits what my characters look like, and I need it to be a perfect fit...), which would then rocket them to stardom a la Star Wars.

My plan exactly.

And I'd want them all to be British. Mwahaha.
 

brokenfingers

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Hmmmm.. I picture Snoop Doggy Dog as the Wizard, Rosie O'Donnell as the Troll, and Orlando Bloom as the hero's sidekick, Armondo DelVacchio, the effeminate duellist.

Oops - can't forget Justin Timberlake as the evil pimp.
 

Esopha

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I'd go for unknowns as well, except for Eartha Kitt. She'd be perfect for Liza.

EDIT:

Oh, oh! And Johnny Depp must play Dictionary, the bossy, sarcastic, overbearing gopher-attorney.
 
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JoNightshade

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I imagine Keith David's voice for my MC (he did Goliath on the animated show Gargoyles), but unfortunately my MC is white. Soooo maybe my MC could be done like Darth Vader... one guy as the body actor, Keith David as the voice??? If only my MC wore a big scary mask.
 

PeeDee

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When my characters really click, then putting someone else in their place seems slightly off. And frequently, when I do pull inspiration from actors/scenes/characters in movies...it's not where you'd expect, and it's not used how you'd expect.

For example: In my robot series, there's a massive 'Lifter robot named Max. Big guy, powerful strong, good heart, slow thinker, deep voice. You don't know it, because it's filtered through me (and that's the point), but a lot of how he acts was inspired by Jeff Daniels' heartbreaking Diner Owner in the movie Pleasantville.

If they did a movie of it (har har), then the voiec would be fitting done by someone like Michael Dorn, or Michael Clark Duncan, I think. But it wouldn't feel right, I don't think. Not to me.

...


....okay, okay, so I'd just write some damn part in somewhere for Christian Bale. If he wants it, it's his.
 

Cranky

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Christian Bale could totally be Luke. And yes, I know that means nothing to anyone. *drools anyway*

LOL...I get a vision of Ralph Fiennes for Nikoli. Attractive in a scary way.
 

PeeDee

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Denis Leary is a minor god. We must be kind to him. (or I will go get a baseball bat...)
 

c.e.lawson

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LOL...I get a vision of Ralph Fiennes for Nikoli. Attractive in a scary way.

I've read some of Azraelsbane's wonderful story and yes - Ralph Fiennes would make an excellent Nikoli! His vanity requires him to be better looking, IMO, than the Leary/Nolte combo would allow.

And Christian Bale has the sexiest voice this side of...well...he has THE sexiest voice ever.

(except for Gerard Butler's Scottish brogue, of course.)
 
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