John Connolly discussion

I'm pretty sure the fine folks over on Connolly's message board have already spoken about this topic but I was wondering what you guys thoughts on a "dream" cast for either a movie or TV series adaptation of Parker's world would be?

I've always seen Angel being played by Michael Pena - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0671567/

Djimon Hounsou as Louis - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005023/

..and Ryan Reynolds as Parker - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005351/

I haven't given a lot of thought to the other secondary characters but I always thought Amy Adams would be a good Rachel - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0010736/

What does everyone else think?

I can see Pena as Angel but Hounsou and Reynolds don't seem a fit for Louis and Parker. Reynolds is too pretty boy and Hounsou not refined enough.

Gatorman wrote: "I can see Pena as Angel but Hounsou and Reynolds don't seem a fit for Louis and Parker. Reynolds is too pretty boy and Hounsou not refined enough."

I mainly had Reynolds as my pick as he has that delivery that goes along with Parker's wit and sarcastic sense of humor. Maybe if Reynolds grew some scruff he might fit the bill a little more.

Oh this is fun! I'm actually really liking the cast you've come up with so far, Brandon. Although...I think Reynolds would definitely need to scruff up a bit. He is a bit of a pretty boy for Parker - I've always imagined Parker a bit more world weary, a bit of a rough diamond.

Never having gotten on Connolly's message boards - is there real talk of this happening or is it all still a bit of a daydream by his fans? Just curious...thanx for posting this regardless!

SarahElektra wrote: "Oh this is fun! I'm actually really liking the cast you've come up with so far, Brandon. Although...I think Reynolds would definitely need to scruff up a bit. He is a bit of a pretty boy for Parker..."

I'm not sure if this is actually happening or not. The only thing that I know of Connolly's that has been optioned is The Book of Lost Things.

Oh cool - I didn't even know that much! :-) Definitely have to keep my eyes open for more news on that...and probably should pay more attention to his email list since I'm on it and somehow missed that! Thanx for that!

I thought I read something on imdb.com a few months back which said that there had been a director attached to the movie..but when I checked this morning, I couldn't find anything.

Perhaps I'm wrong.

Bummer! Time will tell but I'm hoping you're right!

Brandon wrote: "I'm pretty sure the fine folks over on Connolly's message board have already spoken about this topic but I was wondering what you guys thoughts on a "dream" cast for either a movie or TV series ada..."

I always pictured a E.R.-esque George Clooney as Parker. Christopher Walken as Pudd. A scruffed up Anthony Hopkins as The Collector.
I do agree 100% with your choices for Angel and Rachael. I still haven't thought of a good Louis, though.

Amanda wrote: "Brandon wrote: "I'm pretty sure the fine folks over on Connolly's message board have already spoken about this topic but I was wondering what you guys thoughts on a "dream" cast for either a movie ..."

I love your choice of Christopher Walken. He has that intensity and "creep-out" factor that would work well for Pudd.

We're shaping up a great line-up here...now if only someone would make the movie, any movie.

Here's a kind-of related question...which book so far would you most like to see made into a movie? Obviously - there's no rule about if they start at the beginning and it's just a 'favorites' kind of question but I'm curious...

Every Dead Thing, hands down.

I agree with Amanda. Every Dead Thing.

I'm a little torn between Every Dead Thing and Dark Angel...but really could happily chose Every Dead Thing as well. It's the one that kind me completely HOOKED! :-)

Every Dead Thing for sure.

Joe Pesci as Angel. Denzel Washington as Louis. Julianne Moore as Rachel. Aidan Quinn as Bird. They might be "older actors", but every time I read these books (often), these are who I see playing the characters.

Oh, I do like that line-up!! I think the fact that they're older actors might actually be more in line with how the characters are intended to be seen or imagined.

No offense, but I don't think Angel was ever intended to be imagined as a 68 year-old Italian wiseguy. I could see Washington as Louis and perhaps Quinn as Parker if he dyed his hair but Moore, although a great actress, is too old at 50 as Rachel has a kid in the series and is portrayed in the books as much younger than 50.

Hmmm...this is fun. :)
Ok, my Parker has always been David Duchovny, I think because of his wit and dry sense of humor. Plus, I too like an older Parker rather than younger. Aidan Quinn is a good one Leanne. Or even Stephen Moyer. Someone with rugged good looks, not pretty boy cuteness.
Brandon, you picked the perfect Louis. I have never been able to put an actor to him, but the guy you suggested lines up perfect with what I have in my mind.
I don't know the actors name that I see for Angel, but he plays on True Blood as an EMT that is interested/attracted to the cook LaFayette.
For Rachel, I think Christina Hendricks from Mad Men. Young but not too young, classic beauty.
I love Christopher Walken for Pudd, Amanda, great pick!
I really can't wait to read the next book, now that I have more faces to put to people. Great topic :)

Hi! Ok so.....aaah:
I could see Edward Norton as Parker(just see Primal fear for the dark side!!!;)), Anthony Hopkins is a GREAT Collector!Christopher Walken for Pudd, Jimmy Jean-Louis (heroes the haitian?) for Louis would be good and i can't seem to find a good Angel( i love the character!!!)Rachel: julian Moore
But i don't really know if i ever want to see this movie, i'm scared of the adaptation in movie(never as great as the books)

PS: We have to find the perfect Director!!!

Node wrote: "Hi! Ok so.....aaah:
I could see Edward Norton as Parker(just see Primal fear for the dark side!!!;)), Anthony Hopkins is a GREAT Collector!Christopher Walken for Pudd, Jimmy Jean-Louis (heroes the ..."

Node, I LOVE Ed Norton as Parker. I think that's perfect casting.

Brandi, I also like Christina Hendricks as Rachel.

As for director, I'm a huge David Fincher fan but I for some reason doubt he'd be interested.

Brandon wrote: "Node wrote: "Hi! Ok so.....aaah:
I could see Edward Norton as Parker(just see Primal fear for the dark side!!!;)), Anthony Hopkins is a GREAT Collector!Christopher Walken for Pudd, Jimmy Jean-Loui..."

Ed Norton sounds good for Parker. Another suggestion would be Robert Downey Jr. for the part of Parker! I think he would be great - suitably world-weary! Djimon Hounsou seems to fit the bill for Louis! What about Steve Zahn http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001872/ as Angel (suitably scruffed up of course).

I love Zahn for Angel!

How about....

Parker: Brad Cooper
Louis: Denzel Washington
Angel: ray liotta
Rachel: Amy Adams
Director: Scorsese

Although i like some of your choices my ideal cast would be
Sean Penn as Parker, I always pictured him as Bird. Maybe Liam Neeson would be also a good choice.
Amy Adams or Jessica Chastain for Rachel.
Denzel Washington as Louis, no doubt.
Mark Ruffalo as Angel.
As for the book, definitely Every Dead Thing.
Ideal director David Fincher, Clint Eastwood or Brad Anderson.

I agree with Mark Ruffolo...

As for the villains:
Mr. Pudd: Paul Bettany
Brightwell: John Goodman
Taveling Man: Vincent D'Onofrio
Faulkner: George Segal

Is anybody filming a Charlie Parker film?

Not that I'm aware of.

I wish!!!!!!

I always pictured Ving Rhames as Louis and John Leguizamo(sp) as Angel.

I never thought of John Goodman as Brightwell until Matthew brought him up. Goodman fits perfectly.

Safa wrote: "I always pictured Ving Rhames as Louis and John Leguizamo(sp) as Angel."

I always saw Leguizamo as Angel, too. Not sure about Rhames, though.

LL cool j as Louis, John leguisamo angel and I always picture john connolly the author as Charlie Parker!

Julie wrote: "LL cool j as Louis, John leguisamo angel and I always picture john connolly the author as Charlie Parker!"

Must admit I also picture John Connolly as Charlie Parker also as I read the books!

Birdman - Chris Pine
Louis - Lance Reddick
Angel - Mark Ruffalo
Rachel - Emma Stone
Woolrich - Tim Robbins

Amy Adams does fit Rachel's description perfectly though....

Scott Caan, Bradley Cooper or Josh Brolin for Parker.
Yul Vazquez or John Ortiz for Angel.
Idris Elba or Common for Louis.
Jessica Chastain or Christina Hendricks for Rachel.
David Fincher or Gregory Hoblit - director.

As an avid reader of the Parker books, this is a debate I've had since the late 1990's. Appreciate everyone's views, but...
Jessica chastain is a great shout for Rachel Wolfe.
Always pictured Ving Rhames as Louis, but I think his build is wrong, maybe Idris Elba now. John leguisamo as Angel is brilliant!
Aiden Gillen as Woolrich.
Parker is a tough one though. Bradley Cooper, chris Pine etc are just too pretty boy. Back in the 90's I wanted LA confidential style Russell Crowe, but I like the idea of Josh Brolin.

Oh, and David Fincher should be the director. Films dark stories perfectly.

Josh Brolin would be an excellent Parker, he is that good mix of scruffy, good-looking but just rough enough on the outside kind of guy. Also tough enough to kick some serious ass!
I think John Goodman for Brightwell is brilliant!
So, how do we get some one to notice this and use our suggestions?! I would like a movie that mixes Every Dead Thing & Dark Hollow.

Stew wrote: "As an avid reader of the Parker books, this is a debate I've had since the late 1990's. Appreciate everyone's views, but...
Jessica chastain is a great shout for Rachel Wolfe.
Always pictured Ving ..."

I love Josh Brolin as Parker!

Russell Crowe as Parker, think of Bud White in L A Confidential. Very menacing. Agree with the post about Paul Bettany as Mr Pudd! The film would have to be Every Dead Thing to keep it sequential. Though my own favourite is Dark Hollow. Followed by The Lovers. Next book's out April 15th in the UK. Hope it's better than the last three ....

Birdman: Sean Penn
Louis: Idris Elba
Angel: John Leguizamo

Ongoing...

James you so nicked my idea of angel!!!

Hi all I would like to add.....
Sam Worthington as Charlie
David Patrick Kelly as Angel
Idris Elba as Louis

any comments?

Samuel L Jackson would make a great Louis...the guy just oozes coolness. Parker will always be a problem to characterise, but I still think Patrick Dempsey would fit the bill (Shut it Smithy). I agree with Angel being John Leguizamo. Anyway...what do I know?

Stephen wrote: "James you so nicked my idea of angel!!!"

Erm...you nicked it from James as I recall Stevo.

Just finished reading Wolf in Winter and now it seems like my previous picks for the crew will need to be revisited since they older (although they don't age in my mind).

This is only my second Charlie Parker novel. The first was The Reavers, focusing more in Louis and Angel. This characters are vivid and jump off the pages. John Connolly is quickly becoming my favourite author this side of Stephen King. I want to cast these characters for a movie! Great stuff!
I will post shortly my key character castings!