Anesa Miller

OMG, it’s CELEBRITIES!

I have to kick this off with a big disclaimer: I am something of a cultural snob. For many years I read nothing but classics (comes with the Ph.D. territory), and did not own a TV throughout my 12-yr. grad school career. So please understand that I’m bringing a dose of embarrassment to this project—a blog page devoted to celebrities!

Wild dreams….

True confession: I have created a Pinterest  board  on  the CELEBRITY actors I would most like to see in the movie version of my novel, Our Orbit.

Why be embarrassed? You may well ask. After all, even snobs love and respect talented actors. Lots of them do Shakespeare! Yes, I know, but it’s awkward  to admit how much I have fantasized about seeing my novel made into a film. Not exactly an uncommon dream among writers, but we all know it’s just that: a dream unlikely to survive in waking life.

But so what? Make like a fantasy writer and live a little! Indulging dreams costs nothing. And “casting” these roles turned out to be the most fun I’ve had on a computer since…well, since I finished writing Our Orbit! Here are a few samples  of the terrific talent I’d love to see bringing my story to life —

Yikes—this side  of Jeff Bridges  conveys the deadly serious aspect of his oh-so expressive facial assets!  But the creator of cult hero  “The Dude” (in THE BIG LEBOWSKI) has a humane and hilarious  side as well. That’s why I need him to play the part of Uncle Dan, who claims to be sole survivor of an alien abduction. Jeff, I see another Oscar in your future!

Who  is Uncle Dan? A decorated Korean War veteran and brother to the Winslow family patriarch, Levi (more on him  later). Dan is uncle to Levi’s four children,  all of whom are key characters in  Our Orbit. Starting with the youngest, there’s Miriam—

Forever 9!
Forever 9!

If only we could go back in time to the era of LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE (2006), there’s no question that Abigail Breslin would bring  the perfect blend of sweet sadness to the character of Miriam, who enters foster care at the age of 9 years. Regrettably, as we’ve all had occasion to realize, time waits for no one! Abigail has gone through many changes, like we all do, growing up. (Hey, that’s a big  theme in the book, too.) So how about casting  Miss Breslin—still-adorable at 18—as Miriam’s  sister Rachelle—

ABreslin3

Great country-girl look in a  gingham shirt! But can Abigail bring the sullen,  a crucial quality for the part of angst-ridden teenage Rachelle? After all, the back cover of Our Orbit  reveals that, “Rachelle harbors many painful secrets.” So how about  Morgan Saylor who amply demonstrates her skill as a tormented young woman on the hit series HOMELAND…?

Morgan Saylor

Looks like a shoe-in to me!

What do you think? Share your thoughts, impressions, complaints, and candidates for these meaty movie roles in the Comments section below. Many thanks for visiting my blog today! Feel free to nose about the website and let me know if you like what you see or if you have suggestions. You can reach me by clicking the Contact link at upper right (or just click here). And please consider subscribing to my blog or newsletter. Stop by again soon!

17 thoughts on “OMG, it’s CELEBRITIES!”

    1. Right??? And to think I almost got to meet him in Santa Barbara (Invited to the same dinner party, but he was a no-show)! Thank god I was spared from embarrassing myself at that one!

  1. Jeff Bridges as Uncle Dan would be fantastic, Anesa. But if you can’t get him, how about requesting from among his Big Lebowski cohort? I think John Goodman would be brilliant for the role of Uncle Dan. He’s got so much range… and he’s every bit as good at being darkly funny & a little tragic as he is in those wild and madcap roles.

    Have you seen the Cohen Bros film Inside Llewyn Davis?

    http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1158195225/

    1. My luck in getting Bridges is running low (yes, that’s a big lol), so I must consider alternatives. I’ve always loved John Goodman but have to admit my favorite work of his was on “Roseanne” back in the day. Not that it’s been downhill since, but I seem to appreciate him best in short-form comedy.
      .
      I also loved ‘Inside Llewyn Davis’ but, again, would have to say Goodman’s talent is so specific he really dominates the scene. Uncle Dan is a supporting character, albeit a vital one. He needs to convey the significance while appearing unobtrusive. Hmm….
      .
      Guess I’d say, Def John Goodman in a pinch! Ah–these big decisions we fantasizers face….

      1. Mark Vanderpool

        1. Collaborate on a screenplay adaptation of the book.

        2. Work up a logline, something like:

        “Our Orbit is an Appalachian family drama that pries open the heart, while dealing deftly with such contemporary issues as religious fundamentalism and violent extremism.”

        3. Get it into the hands of Joel or Ethan Coen.
        If they want to produce it, they’ll make the executive casting decisions from among their usual pool of extraordinary talent.;-)

        1. So yet again, the big guys hog all the fun (by which I mean the casting, which I’m thoroughly enjoying–even without a film actually getting made)!!!

          1. Mark Vanderpool

            Sorry. I sometimes can’t help myself when it comes to turning fantasies into goals. 😉

          2. You’re the greatest, Mark, always trying to help the goal-challenged like myself! TYSM for weighing in again.

  2. All the young actresses today have to be uber pretty and sexy. I don’t see Rachelle that way. Besides Abigail and Morgan are now in their 20s. How about finding a real teenager to play the part? I suggest Joey King star of Ramona and Beezus. She’s charismic without being a beauty queen-type and has shown she deserves a shot at serious part like Rachelle Winslow. Wish I could add her pic to this post. So sweet!

    1. Thanks very much, Amy. I appreciate your suggestion and will see what I can do about putting up a photo of Joey King. It would be perfect to see the troubled teen Rachelle portrayed by one who used to connect with ‘Ramona and Beezus.’
      .
      Especially appreciate your point about the expectations of beauty and sex appeal in our film industry. Sure, it’s nice to look at pretty people, but they don’t always fit the part, do they? Folks with fewer glam points can possess great talent. We could list many examples, although I suspect most of them would be men. Females don’t always get the same chance.

  3. I too have cast the film adaptation of my novel COYOTE WINDS. Bradley Cooper is a must-have for Lionel and Jennifer Gardner as Shirley. I have a bit part for Jeff Bridges too. Hey, these dreams keep up writing when we get discouraged.

    1. Terrific! Feel free to include a link, Helen, so we can share your vision online. I’m especially glad to hear that you and I are both providing Jeff with work these days (lol, again). Wasn’t it a common saying in some of the old TV cartoons, “I can dream, can’t I?” Thanks for lending us yours.

  4. I loved this post! Now I’m off to cast the movie I’m sure will be made from my memoir WIP. Like Cheryl Strayed, I should be on the red carpet not too long from now. Ta-ta!

    1. So glad you visited the post and enjoyed, Sherrey. Cheryl Strayed really met with destiny when she wrote her memoir, and I’m sure others will, too–in the sense of getting recognition, I mean. One that I especially like as an Ohioan is ‘The Prizewinner of Defiance, Ohio’ by Terry Ryan. And Jullianne Moore played in the film–another casting choice of genius!
      .
      As for the red carpet, sorting through those pix was good fun. I recommend it for wiling away the dreary days. (Practicing my beauty-queen wave at the screen right now!) Very best to you–xoxo

  5. I commend you for this post–it’s tough! I’ve been asked to cast my book and so far I’m stumped. I feel like I have to go out and watch a bunch of teen movies so that I have an inkling of who any young actors are these days. I don’t think my old faves would work anymore, although Christopher Walken can always fit in somewhere.

    1. The young ones do sneak up on us, don’t they? But as one casting director to another, Googling “Actors in their teens/20s” can go much faster than actually watching their movies! As for Christopher Walken, I believe you’ve created a great new proverb: “He can always fit in somewhere”! Thanks so much for stopping by.

  6. PS– Sherrey, Sarah and others: if you post again, please feel free to include a link to the work you mention. We’ll be watching for your casting calls, etc!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top