Marcy Butler
asked
Scott Hawkins:
Loved the book and ADORED the sections with the lions - especially the scene where Carolyn explains the methods of killing to the rapper. I greatly appreciate your reverence for the animal kingdom throughout the entire novel. My question: I have a physical appearance in my mind for each character when I read novels. If you were responsible for casting the leads in the movie version, which actors would get the job?
Scott Hawkins
Hey Marcy,
I'm really glad to hear you liked the animal-as-character angle. The one I'm working on now is probably going to take that aspect up a notch or two. To be honest, I'm not un-nervous about how all the critters will be received by the reading public, but God hates a coward.
As far as the actual question:
For the record, I almost never think about what characters look like when I'm writing. I'll throw in a detail here and there just because I know other people do think about it, but I'm mostly about attitude and speech cadence. (FWIW). That said, after the book sold I have played the fantasy casting game from time to time. :-) Since you asked, here's my take on it:
Steve is easy: James Franco. Goofy, slightly nuts, maybe a little bit of a dark side.
Carolyn is the tough one. On balance, I think I'd go with Reece Witherspoon. She's got great range--I loved the flinty-eyed schemer from Election, but she can also do wide-eyed and innocent well. Janine Gerafolo is a close runner up.
My first thougth for David was Carl Urban in his Judge Dredd mode, but he's just not real big. Terry Crews is about the right size (mountainous) but he just seems so nice. In fairness, though, Crews could probably act mean easier than Carl Urban could magically become 7'11"
My wife wants Dwayne Johnson as David--I'm on the fence with that one. He's certainly the right size, but it's the same problem--I've got a hard time imagining him do vicious. I should point out that my wife also wants Dwayne Johnson to play Erwin--perhaps simultaneously. So, y'know--take that with a grain of salt. (I'm also probably going to have to sit through that Baywatch movie in a couple of weeks.)
Erwin - This is the one exception to the "i don't think about actors when I'm writing" rule. To me, Erwin is always going to be Ed Harris in 1998. That has been true since day one--no idea why. There are some practical issues, however. Given that it's no longer 1998, I think I'd go with Michael Biehn. My wife wants Dwayne Johnson.
Margaret - Definitely Grace Park. In fairness, I would watch a two hour movie of Grace Park doing nothing but reading a newspaper and having a cup of coffee. My wife thinks Dwayne Johnson would do a good job here as well.
My FIL likes Goodfellas-era Ray Liotta as David. I agree, but it's the same problem as with the Ed Harris as Erwin thing.
Father - I like Denzel Washington.
I'm really glad to hear you liked the animal-as-character angle. The one I'm working on now is probably going to take that aspect up a notch or two. To be honest, I'm not un-nervous about how all the critters will be received by the reading public, but God hates a coward.
As far as the actual question:
For the record, I almost never think about what characters look like when I'm writing. I'll throw in a detail here and there just because I know other people do think about it, but I'm mostly about attitude and speech cadence. (FWIW). That said, after the book sold I have played the fantasy casting game from time to time. :-) Since you asked, here's my take on it:
Steve is easy: James Franco. Goofy, slightly nuts, maybe a little bit of a dark side.
Carolyn is the tough one. On balance, I think I'd go with Reece Witherspoon. She's got great range--I loved the flinty-eyed schemer from Election, but she can also do wide-eyed and innocent well. Janine Gerafolo is a close runner up.
My first thougth for David was Carl Urban in his Judge Dredd mode, but he's just not real big. Terry Crews is about the right size (mountainous) but he just seems so nice. In fairness, though, Crews could probably act mean easier than Carl Urban could magically become 7'11"
My wife wants Dwayne Johnson as David--I'm on the fence with that one. He's certainly the right size, but it's the same problem--I've got a hard time imagining him do vicious. I should point out that my wife also wants Dwayne Johnson to play Erwin--perhaps simultaneously. So, y'know--take that with a grain of salt. (I'm also probably going to have to sit through that Baywatch movie in a couple of weeks.)
Erwin - This is the one exception to the "i don't think about actors when I'm writing" rule. To me, Erwin is always going to be Ed Harris in 1998. That has been true since day one--no idea why. There are some practical issues, however. Given that it's no longer 1998, I think I'd go with Michael Biehn. My wife wants Dwayne Johnson.
Margaret - Definitely Grace Park. In fairness, I would watch a two hour movie of Grace Park doing nothing but reading a newspaper and having a cup of coffee. My wife thinks Dwayne Johnson would do a good job here as well.
My FIL likes Goodfellas-era Ray Liotta as David. I agree, but it's the same problem as with the Ed Harris as Erwin thing.
Father - I like Denzel Washington.
More Answered Questions
Dani Parker
asked
Scott Hawkins:
Hawkins, I as of just moments ago finished The Library at Mount Char. I am an avid fan of fantasy but can say in the hundreds of titles I have read, I have not come across a work like this. I am enchanted, and like many others, I NEED a sequel! I need to know what Carolyn's plan is and what Erwin will do in his new endeavors. Pretty-freaking-please? :)
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