Since the beginning of filmmaking, books have been inspiration for what would be seen on the screen. Many complain about the sets, the plot or even the costumes. But probably the biggest complaint is casting! As we read, we form images in out internal theater of how the characters look – it is a natural thing to do. Reading is a mostly internal activity, but it is also interactive… with the book. 

So a short while ago Lee Child, author of the popular Jack Reacher series, announced that Tom Cruise, the actor who portrayed the character in two movies, will no long be attached to the property. In fact, Child is looking to move the series to a streaming service, which I think is a capital idea! He addressed the issue that Tom Cruise, who is 5 ft 6 in, is too short to play the 6 ft 5 in behemoth. Although he did get aspects of the personality correct, he missed on the size, which is an integral part of the character. Much like how Ezra Miller has a weird feel as The Flash, casting has to be right.

Michael Clark Duncan was The Kingpin in the Ben Affleck Daredevil movie and the casting was inspired! The race was different, but everything else was pretty much spot on! Another example of great casting, and a really good example of from the page to the screen done right, is Conan, The Barbarian. Arnold Schwarzenegger was perfect and he was close to what I’d see when I’d read a Conan novel.

Although the look is not the be all and end all when it comes to casting, it does help to make a connection with the audience. To that point, I do have ideas of whom I’d like to see as Jack Reacher, the top of the list being David Harbour. Is there a property you’re into that’s about to see production on the big or little screen? Take a second and think about your ideal casting and how that would add to your enjoyment.