Fantasy casting: Joe Hill's Heart-Shaped Box

Filed by: Darren on March 16, 2007 at 11:13
Filed In: Books, Movies

Let's face it, it's only a matter of time before Joe Hill's rather superb debut novel, Heart-Shaped Box, is made into the multi-million dollar Hollywood blockbuster it deserves to be.

So to help speed things along, a couple of weeks back Jo and I sat down and - after a few beers - sorted out the casting of the principle characters. No, no, don't thank us now, Hollywood. Just invite us to the L.A. Premiere or something. All expenses paid would be nice, it's a heck of a flight from Manchester.

Judas Coyne = Billy Bob Thornton - We both think he'd be prefect for the grizzled ex-rocker, especially if the photo on Jude's MySpace page is anything to go by.

Craddock = Gary Oldman. Who else could convey that sense of manic menace so well?

Georgia = Reese Witherspoon. We've seen her in Walk the Line, so we know she can do the accent, and I bet she'd goth up pretty durn good. Or Jo suggested Selma Blair, who wouldn't need to dye her hair or nuthin'.

Florida = Pick a random blonde. Heck, she'd only be on-screen for a few flashbacks and a cameo or two... there must be enough blondes in Hollywood to choose from, no? Suggest your own, if you feel strongly enough.

Comment away if you have better candidates in mind. No plot spoilers though, if you please!

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10 Responses to 'Fantasy casting: Joe Hill's Heart-Shaped Box'

Andrew Wheeler on March 16th, 2007 2:54 pm

I pictured Judas as Bill Nighy, actually. And a British accent (real or fake) is required for that kind of metal guy, right?
Ariel on March 16th, 2007 3:09 pm

Bill Nighy could work, yeah - he's a fine thespian indeed and his appearances on Grumpy Old Men are always worth watching...

Depends whether the producers decide to cast Jude as more of a full-on, west coast, G'n'F'n'R era, screaming hair-metal rock god, rather than the NWOBHM archetype.
Werd on April 3rd, 2007 2:09 pm

I dont really want to see Reese Witherspoon or Selma Blair as MaryBeth.

WAIT...Judas as Bill Nighy?! why not Craddock for that. The guys an old dead guy, why would they choose Gary Oldman for an old dead guy? they need it creepy and aged right. not hollywooded out to junk the movie over.
Ariel on April 3rd, 2007 2:13 pm

Hi Werd - Yeah, Nighy might work better as Craddock, come to think of it... I'm just a big Gary Oldman fan, so I wanted to find a part for him somewhere... :)

So who would you go for in MaryBeth's role then? Maybe Reese W is a bit too clean-cut after all...
Zac on May 16th, 2007 8:51 pm

Here is who I see playing the parts in this movie!

Craddock - James Cromwell (aka tons of movies, Spiderman 3 & 24)

Jude - Viggo Mortensen (Lord of the Rings)

Marybeth - Christina Ricci

Anna - Rachel McAdams
Ariel on May 17th, 2007 8:41 am

Hi Zac -

Interesting... Mortensen and Ricci? She's definitely got the whole goth thing down, but Viggo as a hard-ass metal star? Isn't he just a bit too sensitive and soulful for Jude? Then again, he's a versatile fella, so I'm sure he'd rise to the occasion...

James Cromwell can play a spooky bastard when he wants to, so yeah, that might just work. Wonder what his delta accent would be like? Rachel McAdams might work as well, although is she waif-like enough? I get the impression that Jude likes 'em young and impressionable...
Zac on June 15th, 2007 9:50 pm

Thanks for the feedback. I wish that Rob Zombie could act because I pictured him as Jude the whole book.

Thanks Ariel
Audrey on January 22nd, 2008 7:02 pm

Billy Bob Thornton is a great idea for Jude...remember, Jude's from Louisiana. British accents and West Coast G N R thangs are OUT. The Rob Zombie thing is a good idea too, but like you said, too bad he can't act.
Darren on January 23rd, 2008 11:37 am

Cheers Audrey... I'll pass that on to the producers when they finally get in touch re: casting. Funnily enough, the phone hasn't rung yet, but I guess there's still time ;)
Jeff Reid on July 3rd, 2008 10:57 pm

In case someone ever checks back on this blog:

We created storycasting.com specifically to enable this kind of "speculative casting" activity for books and other literature. Start with your favorite fiction, choose the characters, and then "cast" the stars you want in the roles. Add a comment, and then send your friends to see it and comment, or add their own cast.

come join the fun - add movie fun to your reading!

storycasting.com
"for the movie in your mind"