Last Friday, I sent off the manuscript for Book 3, currently titled Partners in Crime. Whew. It’s funny, because I had such a fun time writing this book, I’m sort of sad to not be working on it every day.
In other news, today my film agent started sending out Practice Makes Perfect to Hollywood producers. This of course got me thinking about who could be cast in the two lead roles, if, say, a studio exec called tomorrow and demanded my thoughts on this subject ASAP. So I came up with some ideas… Now, these aren’t necessarily people I had in mind when writing the book, mind you– rather, just some potential ideas I’m now throwing out there for discussion.
I’ll start with the heroine first. Let’s see… Payton has blonde hair, blue eyes, is on the shorter side, but is tough as nails in the courtroom and is more than capable of going head-to-head with any man. And she does it all while keeping her feminine side.
Tough as nails? Girly yet capable of breaking out some serious whoop-ass? Now who does that make me think of…?
Sarah Michelle Gellar. Buffy. Need I say more?
Or how about…
True, Anne Hathaway doesn’t have blonde hair, but wouldn’t she be perfect in just about any romantic comedy? But don’t forget…
I realize that Jennifer Garner isn’t blonde either, but she can kick some serious you-know-what and do comedy, too, and somehow pull it off with girl-next-door charisma. But don’t forget option #4…
Okay, so I’m not being honest with this one. I don’t actually see Eva Green as Payton, but I absolutely had her in mind for the heroine in the book I just finished and I couldn’t resist sharing. And she was so smart and saucy (not to mention beautiful) in Casino Royale that were I a casting director, I’d put her in any movie she wanted.
And now for the men… Hmm… J.D. is tall, brown hair, blue eyes, confident, driven, and knows how to wear a suit. So in order to best judge these contenders, I think it’s only fair that we see them both in and out of a suit, right?
So we need a cocky, sarcastic-type who still is a major hottie. How about…
No blue eyes on Ryan Reynolds, but I’m thinking I can overlook that. But if blue eyes are a must, then maybe…
Actor Eric Martsolf. Brown hair, blue eyes, piercing gaze. The fact that I couldn’t find a gratuitous shirtless picture of this man yet still kept him in the running speaks volumes. Or maybe you, the casting director, require naked man-chest to make your decision? In that case, how about…
Yes, let’s all just gloss over what Eddie Cibrian may or may not have been doing with LeAnn Rimes on the set of their Nora Roberts Lifetime movie, and focus instead on the fact that he was the very sexy fireman on Third Watch. Plus, well… he does that towel proud.
And last, but certainly not least…
Angel. Enough said. [Sigh….] And in case you aren’t following me there, oh yeah, his real name is David Boreanaz, and yep, he is that guy from Bones.
So what do you think about my picks? Or maybe you have some ideas of your own– I’d love to here them! For those of you who’ve read Practice Makes Perfect, you know there’s tons of back-and-forth verbal sparring between the hero and heroine… what actor and actress could have that “battle-of-the-sexes” chemistry?
I love the choices. And you do realize that if Sarah Michelle Gellar (who I can totally picture as Taylor) and David Boreanz were cast in this film that every single Buffy fan would be beyond ecstatic. If Matthew McConaghey (sp.) had darker hair, I could also see him as J.D., especially with the cockiness.
You know, I would have never thought of Ryan Reynolds until I saw Definitely, Maybe. I don’t know how it did at the box office, but he was definitely a romantic hero type there, I was used to hi-jinx movies with him, but not anymore.
I love Anne Hathaway, I know she doesn’t have blond hair, and I don’t know if I can see her as a blond, but she’s strong and playful.
The other option of an Angel/Buffy reunion would sell well I’m sure. The problem is I keep seeing her as Daphne from Scooby Doo, my kids watched those movies like a hundred times, I have to get that out of my head. They would be perfect together, we’ve already seen them as a couple.
I think Jennifer garner would be great. Sure she’s not beautiful in a stunning kind of way but she’s very charming and I can easily picture her bikering with J.D. As for your male character… either Ryan Reynolds or Eric Martsolf…. or Matthew McConaghey would be great.
Good luck !!!
Good Morning Julie:
I finished “Just the Sexiest Man Alive”, and enjoyed your book thoroughly. I’ve started “Practice Makes Perfect”, and it is equally wonderful.
Look for reviews soon. 🙂
I think any of your choices would be wonderful actors to play your characters. Sarah Michelle Gellar would be my pick certainly for Payton. Very talented actress.
Best Regards
Sarah Michelle and Ryan Reynolds would be perfect as Payton and JD!
This is so awesome!!
Love the idea of Ryan Reynolds and Sarah Michelle Gellar. Wasn’t Ryan Reynolds in that sitcom, 3 Guys, A Girl and A Pizza Place? He’d be perfect. I remember him being hilarious.
I guess I’m picturing actors a little older. I realize most of the ones mentioned are close in age to Payton and J.D., but they just seem so….young! And I’m in my 30’s, so I don’t know why I feel that way.
I see someone with Eva Green’s intelligence in Casino Royale with Sarah Michelle Gellar’s charm and sense of fun. A non-ditzy Cameron Diaz? Not sure who I have in mind.
And I adore Ryan Reynolds but can’t picture him at all for J.D. Maybe it’s because every movie I’ve seen him in he relies on his funny side, and though I think J.D. has a sense of humor, it’s not the same. Plus I keep picturing J.D. with dark blond hair, so Eddie & David don’t quite make it work for me. Maybe more David Beckham?
First, a squee for your readers…yay, the third book is on its way to us.
I hope both of your books get snapped up for movies. OOh, Jennifer Garner as Payton and Ryan Reynolds as J.D. What a fab combo!!!
I’m loving Jennifer Garner as Payton, I think she could totally pull it off, she’s such a versatile actress.
As far as JD goes, was he blonde? In my head he was a brunette, my bad, sorry. I was thinking Nathan Fillion from Castle, but I think he’s more suited for Jason Andrews. So maybe Jesse Metcalfe from John Tucker Must Die? He looks really young but I think he’s 32ish.
Elyssa: You’re so right about the SMG/DB reunion. What I wouldn’t give to see them together again… I heard some talk about a Buffy movie a while ago, but I think that all faded out.
Matthew McConaughey is an interesting choice for J.D…. definitely cocky and confident enough… I almost wonder if he would be a better choice for Jason in JTSMA. Hmm…
Dottie: Ryan Reynolds sort of snuck up on me, too, although the movie was Blade Trinity. I hadn’t even seen Blade 1 or 2, but my husband wanted to watch it. RR cracked me up every time he was on camera in that movie.
Too funny that you can’t get SMG as Daphne out of your head! I’m that way, too– certain actors get stuck in certain roles in my mind and I can’t see them as anyone else.
Emmanuelle: Yes, Jennifer Garner can definitely hold her own, but also somehow manage to be incredibly likable at the same time. She’s one of those people other people want to like, I think.
Your comment made me realize– interestingly, I didn’t even think of Ben Affleck, even though he would fit the physical description of J.D. If he can banter with women as well as he can with BFF Matt Damon, I think he could pull it off. 😉
Lea: How wonderful to hear that you enjoyed JTSMA! I’ll definitely have to drop by to check out your review–exciting!! I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you continue to like PMP…
Katiebabs: Physically, other than the fact that Ryan Reynolds doesn’t have blue eyes, he and SMG are pretty much spot-on. Even the height difference is perfect. And I just saw RR in Adventureland the other day (which also had a preview for the upcoming Wolverine movie) and he is one of those guys whose personality dominates (good or bad, it’s what you notice first), but then he takes off his shirt and you’re like, “Whoa– what just happened?” 🙂
Liz: Another vote for RR and SMG… And good call– I had to look up RR on imdb to answer your question and you’re right: that was him on Two Guys, A Girl, and A Pizza Place. I never saw that show…
Stacy: Such a great question: who do you get when you merge Eva Green and Sarah Michelle Gellar…? Hmm… I’ll have to think on that some, too. For some reason, I’m kind of thinking Keira Knightley, maybe, but she’s definitely too young.
I agree, RR would definitely have to pull back, and be a little more of the driven and ambitious type and not so much the constant joker. But hey, if Jim Carrey and Adam Sandler can pull it off, anything is possible, right?
Keira– thanks!! Jennifer Garner and RR would have great chemistry, I think. Particularly in the scenes where Payton is tougher on J.D., I think she’d be a good match in standing up to him. We would definitely take her no-nonsense side seriously, I think.
And I really am excited about Book 3, BTW. Here’s hoping my editor feels the same way. 😉
Erika: J.D. has light-brown hair. Nathan Fillion is a great suggestion, but you’re right, better for Jason Andrews I think. I keep meaning to check out Castle… from the previews, it looks like he has such good chemistry with the heroine… sigh… one of those things I haven’t gotten around to yet.
I’m pretty easy when it comes to casting characters in movies and anyone you’ve suggested in this posts works for me except Anne Hathaway. I can’t see her as Payton and its not because she has brown hair, she just doesn’t seem like a good fit.I’d totally be on board with aBuffy/Angel reunion in PMP, that would be totally awesome.
Hey Rowena! I had some trouble coming up with blonde actresses as well… I thought of another one this afternoon: what about Katherine Heigl?
I stumbled upon Practice Makes Perfect and read it in one setting. LOVED the book so much that I immediately download Just the Sexiest Man Alive. Can’t wait to read your next book.
As to casting… absolutely no Katherine Heigl. I find her more grating. I liked her in Knocked Up but I find her more annoying in other things. Jennifer Garner would be great. She gives off that strong vibe.
What about Reece Witherspoon or Amy Adams?
(By the way, I love that you use Chicago so much in your books.)
Hi Colleen! So glad you dropped by! And, of course, so happy to hear that you enjoyed PMP. I hope you like JTSMA as well.
As for Katherine Heigl… I agree that I liked her in Knocked Up, and although I’m five episodes behind in Grey’s, her character did kind of annoy with the whole seeing Dead Denny-thing. But I’m behind in the show, maybe her storyline has gotten better…
LOVE Amy Adams. But– can she play the strong, no-nonsense type? I just keep picturing her singing in Central Park in Enchanted. 🙂 Reece Witherspoon is a definite possibility, too.
Glad you like the Chicago references! Does that mean you live in the Chicago area?
I gave up on Grey’s a while back (between the Denny thing and her character hooking up with George).
Amy Adams has the ability to get lost in roles. She was great in Enchanted. I loved her in Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. She had a bit part on an episode of The West Wing years ago where she played a farmer arguing with the Deputy Chief of Staff. I saw it recently which made me think of her.
Hmm, there’s Emily Blunt.
Yes, I’m right over the border in one of the suburbs. I love Chicago and cannot imagine living anywhere else.
I would love for SMG and David Boreanaz to get back together, the Buffy fangirl inside me is squeeing at the idea. Or Anne Hathaway and Ryan Reynolds. Although I think RR would have to tone down the stupid faces he makes sometimes. I really loved him in that movie, the one with Abigail Breslin and Isla Fisher, Definitely Maybe. And I love Anne Hathaway, they seem like a good match since he is so goofy and she is a little serious. But these are just the matches I see. Oh, and I finished your first book. I think PMP is my favorite so far, but I am excited to read your third book.
Colleen– how nice to *meet* someone from the area! I agree– Chicago is a great city and I love being able to use real locations in my books.
You’re right about Amy Adams–she’s probably one of those actresses who could do anything.
Gabriela: I know, the thought of SMG and DB being together again on the big or small screen makes me sigh… and wish…
Too funny, your comment about RR needing to tone down the faces. I just saw him in Adventureland and I swear– no dumb faces at all. 😉
I’m most convinced of Anne Hathaway, and David Borenaz (sp?). If you happen to like him (and I’m thinking you do), he was in a GREAT little movie that nobody saw called ‘I’m With Lucy’, starring Monica Potter. Who, by the way is blond, and was fantastic in this movie and also another British one whose title I forget but it had Joseph Fiennes, John Hannah (who is also in I’m With Lucy) and Rufus Sewell and was excellent.
Rufus Sewell, BTW, is also dark and blue-eyed and mesmerizing.
I’m shamelessly backseatdriving your cast!
Ooooh – I like Sarah Michelle and Eric Mastoff as a couple
Maya: backseat-drive all you want! I’m a fan of David B., so I will have to check out “I’m With Lucy.” And on the subject of Rufus Sewell, BTW, I’m in complete agreement with you– there is something mesmerizing about him. I’ve liked him since “A Knight’s Tale,” even though he played the bad guy.
Kristie J: Yeah, a vote for EM! I was worried he was falling behind the others. 😉
I was more annoyed with Izzy (on Grey’s) when she killed Denny, the seeing Dead Denny is even more dumb. So yeah, I’m not a fan of Izzy as Payton.
Dude, what do you think about Eddie Cibrian as Jack Travis? LOL, yes I’m still thinking about Jack Travis?
Rowena: I think Eddie Cibrian would be perfect as Jack Travis! (Oh– I have a feeling you’ll be thinking about him for awhile…) So now here’s the question: if EC is Jack Travis, then who would you cast as Gage and Hardy?
I would adore seeing Angel…I mean David…as J.D. God he’s so gorgeous. Why wouldn’t anyone want to have him?
Katherine Heigl is my favorite actress, i love her eyes and i love her smile _