All right, Hollywood: here's the outlay. This needs to happen.
For the role of Valancy Stirling, Arabella suggests Maggie Gyllenhaal. Brilliant choice.
For Barney Snaith: Jim Carrey. Casting credit goes to Laura. Possibly controversial, but I think it's downright inspired. "Nobody with a smile like that could be bad, no matter what he had done."
Roaring Abel Gay: Clint "Get off my lawn!" Eastwood. Also cast by Laura.
Cissy Gay: Clémence Poésy. Cast by Laura.
Mrs. Frederick Stirling: Judi Dench. For the frown.
Cousin Olive: Scarlett Johansson, who seems to play a lot of absurdly gorgeous characters with nasty temperaments.
Dr. Trent: Tom Selleck. Someone who can be good-hearted and awfully gruff all at once.
Dr. Stalling: Ciaran Hinds. Because he has such good angry and disappointed expressions.
You can all help me round this out. I'm drawing a blank on Uncle Benjamin and Cousin Stickles. Were there any other important characters that I'm missing? I can update this post with images as needed. And feel free to share your own casting ideas, of course.
UPDATE: Celia Imrie as Cousin Stickles, cast by jana.kaye. Judging from a Google images search, this actress might possibly steal the show as Valancy's fretful, griping housemate.
UPDATE II: We have an Uncle Benjamin in Arabella's suggestion of Richard Dreyfuss. Perfect.
Arabella also recommends Tom Hanks for Uncle James and the now-retired Jean Stapleton for Cousin Georgiana. Ms. Stapleton may wish to pass on the role, but this is definitely thinking in the right direction.
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| Uncle James: Tom Hanks. |
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| Cousin Georgiana: Jean Stapleton |
Lastly, some potential places to film.
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ReplyDeleteoops! I meant this one: Celia Imrie http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0408309/
ReplyDeleteOh, heavens, that face. Is perfect. :D
ReplyDeleteI love this idea so much! Judi Dench is perfect, and the actress you picked for Cissy Gay looks just like I always pictured her! What about Amy Adams for Cousin Olive? I am dubious about Jim Carrey...he can never be anything but Ace Ventura to me. I saw those Ryan Gosling "hey girl" memes for the first time a few months ago and he immediately put me in mind of Barney. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I see that apparently he was in that movie The Notebook, the book I tried to read and ended tossing across the room. But whatever, he can still be Barney to me. Case in point: http://www.fwallpaper.net/pics/men/ryan_gosling/ryan_gosling_001.jpg
Talented as Jim Carrey is--darn good serious actor--I can't see him as Barney, either. Too old, too. I was thinking of Ryan Gosling, too, although my Barney is different. Hey, Robert Downey, Jr. Brings perfect combo of gravity and snark.
ReplyDeleteTom Hanks as Uncle James and Richard Dreyfuss as Uncle Benjamin.
Jean Stapleton would have made a perfect Cousin Georgiana.
--Arabella
Richard Dreyfuss as Uncle Benjamin! Yesss.
ReplyDeleteJenny and Arabella, funny--I thought of Ryan Gosling, too, but immediately dismissed him as too young. Now, this may be because I have no idea how old he really is--I've just seen those "hey girl" memes (why his name came to mind in the first place)--as well as because I've never actually seen him act.
I had to Google Robert Downey, Jr., though I knew the name, but he does have a good sort of enigmatic look about him.
Amy Adams could definitely work as Cousin Olive. I was thinking I'd only seen her in Enchanted, where she was all innocent and sweet, but now I recall Julie & Julia, which demanded a little more petulance of her.
You know, after seeing Dreyfus' picture, he looks like a perfect Dr. Redfern. Who else for Uncle James?
ReplyDelete--Arabella
Ok, I suggest Liv Tyler for Valancy and Toby Stephens for Barney Snaith. This is awesome, by the way.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Katie!
DeleteHad to Google Toby Stephens, but I like the face. Liv Tyler--I suspect this is blasphemy to most Tolkien fans, but she's always been Arwen and only Arwen to me (yeah, made the mistake of seeing the first movie before reading the books. I do think she was a good choice to play the Evenstar, though.) On the other hand, upon Googling her, I discovered that she looks like an entirely different person with short hair. So maybe it could work after all. ;)
Oh, yes, Toby Stephens MUST play Barney. He is the best Rochester there ever was. Also great in Twelfth Night and the Tenant of Wildfell Hall.
DeleteHa, I forgot about this post! Love this book. I still haven't seen enough Toby Stephens to judge, so I'll take your word for it.
DeleteIt's awesome that you did this! I love The Blue Castle, but it's been awhile since I read it, so I don't think I have any strong opinions on your choices at the moment!
ReplyDeleteI loooove Toby Stephens. Best smile ever. I would watch the Heck out of that!
ReplyDeleteGo watch his version of Jane Eyre. It's my favorite, and trust me I've seen them all. You can thank me later ;)
I'll remember that. Thus far I've not liked any of the Jane Eyre movies I've come across--that book is impressively hard to adapt. But then, I somehow missed Toby Stephens' version. :)
DeleteI was afraid that I was the only one in the world who reads and loves the Blue Castle - thank you!
ReplyDeleteI don't mind having Barney all to myself but it sometimes is better knowing I am not alone in my appreciation of this great novel!
This is so awesome :) Jean Stapleton would be an AMAZING Cousin Georgiana! I feel like I want somebody with jowls for Uncle Benjamin though. I see Tom Hanks as a hilarious Dr. Stallings... Also what about Ian McKellen for Roaring Able?? http://www.contactmusic.com/pics/ln/20131014/141013_the_seagull_opening_night_after_party_arrivals/ian-mckellen-opening-night-after-party-for_3905808.jpg I think Maggie G is a great choice for Valancy. So glad there are others who love this book!
ReplyDeleteOne more thought, what about this guy for Barney?? http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMTQzMjM2MzI5N15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNjk0OTE3NQ@@._V1_SX214_CR0,0,214,317_AL_.jpg No dimples, unf :)
ReplyDelete