Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Casting Call


It’s probably not a shocker that the best selling Hunger Games books are going to be made into movies. Last week it was announced that Jennifer Lawrence has been cast to play Katniss. Here’s the link for more scoop on this:

http://www.thewrap.com/movies/column-post/jennifer-lawrence-gets-lead-role-hunger-games-25482


Do you ever consider the actor or actress who might play one of the characters in something you have written or are writing? Do you ever think about a favorite character from a book you are reading and wonder who could portray him or her? It’s kind of tricky, isn’t it? Every reader, it seems to me, gets to know a character in his or her own way. No matter how detailed the character description, I picture her in a way that may or may not be exactly the way you picture this character. This applies to appearance as well as personality, I think. So, it’s interesting when Hollywood puts a face to a perception.


I should admit, too, that once I see the movie version of The Hunger Games, the Katniss in my head will probably be trumped by Jennifer Lawrence’s portrayal. And Jennifer Lawrence may be Katniss forever more. Sort of like when I see Daniel Radcliffe interviewed and think Wow, Harry Potter is staring in another play on Broadway.


Thoughts?

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16 comments:

  1. Bish DenhamMarch 23, 2011 at 8:12 AM

    Nope, can't say while I'm reading that I think of actors who might play the part. I saw Lord of the Rings with trepidation because I had such clear pictures of what the characters looked like. Except for Elija Wood who played Frodo (he always looked so worried) I wasn't disappointed.

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  2. Kelly PolarkMarch 23, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    True, now she will be forever known as Katniss. I didn't think it was a perfect fit, but I'm sure once she is in the role, I wouldn't picture Katniss any other way.
    I think Hunter Parrish would make a good Peeta. And a handsome unknown as Gale.

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  3. Jennifer R. HubbardMarch 23, 2011 at 3:51 PM

    I don't think of actors for my own books. Sometimes I mentally cast actors when I'm reading other people's books.

    I haven't seen the Twilight movies partly because (though I may be the only person in the world who thinks this) I always picture Edward very differently from the actor who plays him.

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  4. Cynthia Chapman WillisMarch 23, 2011 at 4:29 PM

    Lord of the Rings is a great example, Bish. I wasn't disappointed at the cast, either. I thought Elija Wood was amazing.

    Hunter Parrish is a good call, Kelly. Hmmm, there might be a future for you as a casting director. ; ) It'll be interesting to see who ends up playing Peeta and Gale.

    Nope, you're not the only one who pictures Edward differently from the actor, Jennifer. I only saw the first Twilight movie, but I couldn't make the connection between the actor and how I saw Edward. That doesn't happen often with me, but there it is.

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  5. Jemi FraserMarch 24, 2011 at 5:29 PM

    I have avoided several movies because I loved the books so much I didn't want them ruined. Lord of the Rings has given me new hope. I hope they do a great job of Hunger GAmes!

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  6. Cynthia Chapman WillisMarch 24, 2011 at 6:17 PM

    Avoiding certain movies is very smart, Jemi. I, too, hope the movie makers do as great a job with Hunger Games as they did with Lord of the Rings.

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  7. TerryLynnJohnsonMarch 24, 2011 at 7:32 PM

    I don't really know enough actors to think of who would play the characters I write. But if Nathan Fillon wanted to try out for, say, my character's dad, I wouldn't turn him down.

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  8. Cynthia Chapman WillisMarch 25, 2011 at 5:24 AM

    So, when DOGSLED DREAMS becomes a movie, it will be interesting to see who ends up playing your fabulous characters. ; )

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  9. Shannon HitchcockMarch 25, 2011 at 12:25 PM

    Sometimes I picture an actor or actress when I'm writing a character description. In my current WIP, I have an African-American character that I picture as looking sort of like a teenaged Tyra Banks.

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  10. Cynthia Chapman WillisMarch 25, 2011 at 1:32 PM

    Well, that's one lucky character, Shannon. : ) Seriously, though, writing about a character does seem a bit easier when we can picture that character, doesn't it? At least I think so.

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  11. J.L. CampbellMarch 27, 2011 at 1:37 PM

    Maybe I'm not very ambitious, but this isn't something I've ever thought about, but I suppose this would help visualize characters better.

    I've given you an award.

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  12. Cynthia Chapman WillisMarch 27, 2011 at 5:29 PM

    I do think that visualizing characters can be helpful, at least sometimes.

    And an award? Well, thank you very much, J.L. ! ; )

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  13. AnonymousMarch 28, 2011 at 9:19 PM

    I have a hard time thinking of who would play my characters. I always think in book format and don't know how to put myself in a movie mindset.

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  14. Cynthia Chapman WillisMarch 29, 2011 at 5:39 AM

    It's always interesting how different writers work. Some picture an actor or actress, some don't. Whatever works! : )

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  15. C.R. EversMarch 29, 2011 at 3:24 PM

    Sometimes I try to think about an actor/actress as my characters, mostly because it helps me keep a more consistent voice. Putting a real person behind the character helps the character become all that more real in my mind.

    Great post!

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  16. Cynthia Chapman WillisMarch 30, 2011 at 6:21 AM

    That's really interesting and makes perfect sense. Again, it's fascinating how different writers create. Thanks for sharing this, Christy! And thanks for the compliment on the post! ; )

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