Think the first twenty minutes of Gladiator in an entire movie. . .
Mine would basically be the first twenty minutes of "Gladiator" strung out over an entire movie. Of course, I think that intial battle was the best part of the movie. . .
I think my book would be an awesome movie, and not just because I wrote it. Thing is, they have yet to do a decent movie based on ancient wars. Troy and Alexander were both complete abortions, and even Gladiator got some significant things wrong in the initial battle. And as much as I love that movie, it completely re-writes history. Of course, people love "epic" battle sequences, ala "Lord of the Rings" (one set of book-based movies that actually got it right!).
It's funny, because my "cast" is a mix of both Hollywood, and people I know. Certain characters I specifically based on people who inspired them. Some actors would not be able to play certain roles in my books, simply because they are either too old or too young. Here are some of the historical characters in my book (though all the main characters are individual Legionaries that I had to make up), and who I picture in my mind.
Emperor Tiberius Caesar: George Baker, who played him in I, Claudius; or Ian McDiarmid, the Emperor from Star Wars
Germanicus Caesar: Clive Owen, though he is probably too old (Germanicus was about 31 or 32 at the time)
Livia Augusta (widow of Augustus Caesar and mother of Tiberius): Sian Phillips, who played her in I, Claudius
Caecina Severus (Legion Commander, and former mentor of Tiberius): Sean Bean, even though he is too young. To compensate for this, I write that though close to 60, Severus looks much younger, easily passing for being in his 40's (hence how I get away with picturing Sean Bean!)
Pontius Pilate: Ok, I'm clueless on this one. The guy who played him in Passion of Christ was phenominal, but he would be too old. Pilate was probably in his mid-twenties at the time of my book (15 - 17 A.D.), though I did have to guess as to his age, since it's not documented anywhere.
Arminius (Germanic war chief responsible for the Teutoburger Wald disaster, nemesis of Tiberius and Germanicus): A more multi-dimensional Stellan Skasgard, who was the villain in the new King Arthur.
Again, these would all be "supporting cast," since my book centers mostly around the individual Legionaries. Most of them were inspired by guys I served with in Iraq. Of course I picture myself in the staring role as Artorius. I even emphasize over and over again how big and muscular he is (I'm sick of seeing skinny "heroes" on the big screen!). Also, Flavius (the Legion's Master Centurion), though completely different in appearance, came to remind me of my Dad.