topic Re: While reading -- imagining actors as characters in Book Club

While reading -- imagining actors as characters

GingerPeach — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 16:57:57 GMT

I'm thinking of the choice made recently for the Lee Child "Reacher" books. They chose Tom Cruise to play Jack Reacher, even though he did not match the physical description at all.

Did anyone think of a better "Reacher" or do you have ideas for actors (male or female) as characters for the movie version of a favorite book or book series?

Re: While reading -- imagining actors as characters

DoneTryin — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 17:15:13 GMT

When I read Thornbirds, I imagined David Birney as the priest because he matched the physical description. In case you don't know who he is, he was Bernie in the Bridget Loves Bernie tv series. Meredith Baxter' s ex-husband. Richard Chamberlain got the role, but then he seemed to get the mini-series roles in the 70s.

When I read The Stand, I imagined Sam Elliot as The Walkin' Dude, Randall Flagg. He just looks & sounds dangerous. Jamie Sheridan got the role & I think he did well.

So now I don't try to imagine though I think Johnny Depp' s good for pretty much anything. LOL!

Re: While reading -- imagining actors as characters

Marsha2003 — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 18:03:18 GMT

I vote for Gerard Butler as Reacher. Second choice would be Ben Affleck or Philip Winchester. I avoided the movie because I couldn't stand the thought of Cruise in the role.

I think Tom Selleck is perfect as Jesse Stone. He matches my mental picture of the character.

Do you read the Eve Dallas/Roark books? Which actors would you like to see play those two characters?

I love the Daniel Silva books about Gabriel Allon. I would love to see Oded Fehr in that role or Liev Schreiber, although both are sort of tall for the role.

Re: While reading -- imagining actors as characters

Desertdi — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 08:09:56 GMT

I've never once imagined actors as characters in a book.....and I read a lot.

....

debic — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 11:58:38 GMT

@GingerPeach wrote:
I'm thinking of the choice made recently for the Lee Child "Reacher" books. They chose Tom Cruise to play Jack Reacher, even though he did not match the physical description at all.

Did anyone think of a better "Reacher" or do you have ideas for actors (male or female) as characters for the movie version of a favorite book or book series?

I would have made a better Reacher. LOL and that's almost true.

This is what happens when you own the movie studio and buy the movie. He chose himself. Since hubby wanted to watch it, we did. Had I not read the books I might have liked it.

Generally I don't watch movies that I've read the book already. Sometimes I will read a book after watching the movie tho.

Re: While reading -- imagining actors as characters

appm — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 12:06:18 GMT

I just started reading the Reacher books and really enjoy them. When I read that Tom Cruise played Reacher in the film, I couldn't believe it. In the book Reacher is 6'5", 200+ pounds, a far cry from what Cruise looks like. I wouldn't go to see the movie - it would ruin the books for me.

Re: While reading -- imagining actors as characters

proudlyfromNJ — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 12:19:40 GMT

Jack Reacher should have been played by Vincent D'Onofrio. Correct weight and height. Tom Cruise is a laugh playing Jack Reacher.

Re: While reading -- imagining actors as characters

pateacher — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 12:27:27 GMT

@Desertdi wrote:
I've never once imagined actors as characters in a book.....and I read a lot.

desertDI:

ITA I have my own picture of the character as I read a book. More often than not, the movie version disappoints me because the actor is not the person I had imagined.

Re: While reading -- imagining actors as characters

Judaline — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 18:34:20 GMT

I don't know why I do this, but I just do.I see the movie when it might not ever happen. When the Stephanie Plum books came out I pictured the Ranger that they chose for the movie, Daniel Sunjata. He was perfect. But I never would have pictured that guy as Joe Morelli~Joe was sooo, well, Italian. I never came up with anyone for Joe, so I figured I guess I just hadn't met him yet. First he would have to be gorgeous and look great in jeans. Then he'd have to be funny, and say to Stephanie with a straight face, 'tell me you didn't set another car on fire.' I know he's out there, but I guess he's just unknown. For Steph's mom I wanted Bea Arthur and could just see her rolling her eyes towards heaven, for Grandma Mazur-no one but Estelle Getty. Sadly, these ladies are both gone now.

Re: While reading -- imagining actors as characters

smoky22 — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 17:29:43 GMT

I rarely picture any actor doing the character in a book. I think I prefer it that way, too.

I liked Tom Cruise in the Jack Reacher movie, but I hadn't read any of the books at that point. I did read one later and it still didn't bother me. I thought Cruise was fine, as he usually is in action movies. I like his Mission Impossible movies, too.

Re: While reading -- imagining actors as characters

GingerPeach — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 20:06:22 GMT

@Desertdi wrote:
I've never once imagined actors as characters in a book.....and I read a lot.

Actually, this is about actors playing the movie version of a book -- not just imagining actors as characters in books. I hope I was clear in the first post. If not, please don't think I want to put actors into any book, just into a movie.

I would have liked the Reacher movie if I hadn't read all the Reacher books. If any more get made, I hope they choose someone more physically convincing. This is nothing against Tom Cruise as an actor. He is great in the Mission: Impossible movies. But there is no longstanding book character he has to live up to for those movies.