The Tied Man discussion

... Who would you pick to play the parts? How did you picture the characters?

I honestly don't know how this could be made into a movie. It would be very difficult to follow on screen.

Interesting question - how did you picture them?

I don't like casting books! But I'd love to see a movie - though, how much of it I could stomach is another matter. If it's as graphic as the book...

Oh, now here's a question... Please note that what follows is purely the meandering thought trail of the author, and should in no way be taken as gospel. To tell you the truth, there were some hybrids of actors in my head, and some definites, as I wrote TTM. Ian Holm is, always was, and ever shall be Henry, for me. Julianne Moore has been Blaine on more than one occasion, although she isn't as fixed. I often work by gathering pictures in magazines to scrapbook my writing; the original 'face' of Finn was some unknown male model in a glossy magazine that I read whilst waiting to collect a Chinese takeaway - I surreptitiously ripped out the page and stuffed it up my sleeve. Jared Leto as Hephaistion also added something to the mix; something about that damaged look, the sexual ambiguity, and the eyeliner. Tom Weston-Jones as Merthin in World Without End currently has that wounded vulnerability and hidden strength. And Lilith? I've only ever truly seen her once, and she was a model in a hairstyle magazine at my local salon. On this occasion, I actually asked nicely. My stylist let me take the magazine. Which I lost.
Would it work as a film? I hope it would - I still think I write as a playwright, so much of my work is visual. I think the violence and darkness would be better for *not* being shown, but merely suggested; the thoughts we place in others' minds are always more terrifying than the images we actually see. I'm open to suggestion...

For some reason, even though she's very clearly described as having red hair, I always picture Blaine with white hair. I can't say why. I can totally see Ian Holm as Henry but that isn't *entirely* how I pictured him. Can't name the actor or actor he looks like that I had in mind, either. Again, even though he doesn't fit the physical description, I had Colm Meaney in mind for Coyle, mostly based on his character in Far and Away. That guy from Entourage who's name always escapes me was who I pictured for Gabriel and I just had "California surfer dude" in mind of Nat. Finn and Lilith never really got a real picture in my mind but that isn't really unusual as I rarely have a face for main characters, more of a feeling.

I have no idea who could play the part of Lilith, can't think of any well known actress that fits the role. Not sure about Ian Holm as Henry either as I have met Ian a few times. He lives in a small village near where I used to live and banked with the bank I used to work in. Adorable man but quite formidable, not how I visulized Henry. I could see Kim Basinger as Blaine. I agree with the violence being suggested. Not sure I could watch it otherwise.

Colm Meaney - I see what you mean, and his physicality definitely went into Coyle; same with Kim Basinger. ANd Jo, if you mean Adrian Grenier (I had to google...) then OMFG YOU FOUND GABE :D I'm really glad that I didn't know Ian Holme was formidable before I started writing! It would have taken me ages to find someone else...

Miriam Margoyles could probably do Agnes, now I've thought about it a bit more. Would still love to know how people see Finn...

I pictured more of a Blythe Danner as Agnes.

I couldn't get Rene from 'Allo, 'Allo out of my head for the bartender at the pub. Hahaha.

I didn't really picture Finn because his physicality is not one I'm attracted to (I'm more attracted to short, squat and with big arms than tall, terribly thin and pretty) so I spent more time creating a feel for his character and falling in love with that. In the way you'd fall for an abandoned puppy or something. I suppose Alex Pettyfer comes closest to how I pictured him. But then not quite. If that makes sense.

Yup. Alex Pettyfer was definitely in the mix once I'd seen him (long after I'd started writing, but hell, I'm fickle).
Blythe Danner - yes, with a perm!
The landlord has an actor, but can I *hell* as remember him?

Honestly, the first person that came to my mind for Finn was Boyd Holbrook.
(He's got that pretty boyish looks about him), but he's still not exactly the Finn in my mind.

Alex Pettyfer fits, too.

What about Zooey Deschanel for Lilith, I've always thought she was really pretty and I think the could easily pull off the knitted jumper dress look, at the awards ceremony :)

I can't think what the guys name is but I'm thinking about the man that plays "Mr Gibbs" in pirates for Lillith's dad, as I have seen him looking really smart, in a suit and neat hair, like in the flashbacks of him in the height of his political career, and he is also VERY convincing as a dirty scuffy type person

Also Adrian Grenier is damn sexy, I will definately watch the film if he's in it :P

Kevin McNally! I see Lilith's dad as more cadaverous, but I see what you mean!

Yeah that's him lol cheers :)

For me Finn was Jamie Campbell Bowen http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=j...

This isn't a guy I've come across before, but yup, I can see where you're coming from! Definitely the right amount of fragility/androgynous beauty!

Sam Claifin's pic as Finnick Odair has got me thinking :D

Yeah, I can see that.

Rebecca wrote: "This is my Finn!! I saw him in a series the other day and thought I like him for Finn. It's Bill Skarsgard

"

Definitely has the eyes, and that 'bruised innocence' thing! I love this thread, and the other pics that readers post; it's like having people rummaging around in my skull - sometimes I'll see a pic and think, 'Oh, that could be Finn/Lilith/whoever...' and then realise that's who they're *meant* to be, and other people have actually read my stuff, and I end up with a huge Happy-On. :D

Rebecca wrote: "Hahaha it must be like having brain invaders.
It's a beautiful thing though, you created this! Isn't that amazing?!?! And all you did was rearrange 26 letters over and over again. That's like actu..."

The cheek of it! 'Internal locus of self-control'as they say in rehab! I love that - 'just rearranging 26 letters over and over' :D I am SO going to pinch that! (I'm meant to be packing for the music festival - Procrastinators R Us!)

My Finn is the guy from the Totallybooked blog but I don't know his name. They did a great job reviewing this book as well and those ladies helped me find TTM. I love this book and can't wait for the second to be released. Anybody help a girl out cuz I am totally obessed with him.

Dawn wrote: "My Finn is the guy from the Totallybooked blog but I don't know his name. They did a great job reviewing this book as well and those ladies helped me find TTM. I love this book and can't wait for t..."
That's so cool to hear! He's probably the best character I ever created, so it's great to know he's had that effect!

How fun!!! From the very beginning of the book I pictured Finn as Travis Fimmel, back in his Calvin Klein modeling days. There is a picture of him leaned back, shirtless on the couch. Intensely laid back.

Karen wrote: "How fun!!! From the very beginning of the book I pictured Finn as Travis Fimmel, back in his Calvin Klein modeling days. There is a picture of him leaned back, shirtless on the couch. Intensely ..."

Isn't it! And yup, I could see that (might have to go and look at that pic for, ahem, 'research'...)

- Eddie "Call-Me-Ed" Newton to me reminds me of Dick Van Dyke (before he was completely white headed), or Andy Griffith before Matlock days and a bit after Andy Griffith show (not just because he was is a police officer either)
- Lilith Bresson to me (physically) is Alexis Bledel (with dark hair)
- Finn (Mr. Not So Easy To Cast) Strachan is still a mystery to me. I'm seeing that he has the lean side like Robert Pattinson, but a few muscles like Ryan Goslin, but facially, I can't really pinpoint him.
- Blaine's character I pictured Cybill Shepard (just something about her I couldn't ever trust)

That's all I was able to think of for now...however, soon, I'll be able to think of more.

Oh, and for Finn, let's not leave out Max Irons http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=m...
Perfect.