Casting Challenge {No.1}: Calico Captive

No one in the movie industry has ever seemed to think that Elizabeth George Speare's books are worth a movie adaptation and I am of the persuasion that such negligence is deprivation.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond is a Newberry Award winner, impeccably written with a solid message, sweet romance and it's exciting and thoroughly good to boot.

And what about Calico Captive? It's another excellent story combining romance, history, excitement and down-to-earth, believable characters.

And yet the film industry continues to churn the cheap, fluffy chick flicks and so on and so forth. 

I, for one, think this is a crying shame.

So since Hollywood can't seem to catch on to good writing, I've decided to cast my own group of actors/actresses for Calico Captive. Feel free to comment on what you agree/disagree with. If you haven't read the book, read it {you'll have no regrets, I promise!}and then comment! 

For Miriam Willard: the book describes her as short and slender with grey eyes and chestnut curls. She is also spirited and stubborn.

Amy Adams seems to fit the bill best for me. Her hair is the prerequisite red {though Miriam's should be darker} and her eyes are almost grey. She should probably be a tad bit tanner too, but those things can be fixed! In costume, I think she would make a pretty solid Miriam.

 

For Pierre Laroche {Miriam's Montreal beau}: He's a coureur de bois {roughly translated: a woodsman}. The book says he's tall and boisterous, with an "arrogant lift to his head and shoulders". He also has curly black hair and looks French.

I have actually never seen a movie with Eduardo Verastegui {and, I must admit, did not consciously know he existed until I googled dark-haired actors in desperation to find someone for Pierre} but a bit of hasty research showed me that he has acted in a strongly pro-life movie {Bella} and just recently was the executive producer of another pro-life movie Crescendo I. I don't like to cast actors I've never heard of, but for one who seems to have his heart in the right place, I'll make an exception to the rule. 
I can definitely see him has Pierre, anyway. He's not French, but he's got the dark hair and makeup does wonders with other things {if needed}. It wouldn't take much to transform him into a woodsman for Miriam.

Then we have Susanna Johnson, Miriam's older sister {I'm only doing the major characters here, by the way}: She is described as having smooth dark hair and dark eyes. Her personality comes off as a bit of a control-freak and she's very stubborn and proud of her heritage.

Emily Blunt {especially in her role as Victoria in The Young Victoria} struck me as having the correct blend of these qualities. Her eyes aren't exactly dark, but colored contacts could fix that.

Felicite Du Quesne, {Miriam's French employer's daughter} is described as "pink and white and fragile as a china figurine", with blue eyes, and hair like a "fine, powdery gold mist".

Hayden Panettiere has, I think, the right facial shape for Felicite, though she's not exactly fragile looking. Felicite is also supposed to be innocent and rather plump, and I can see this actress pulling off the necessary spoiled French pout. {In this picture, anyway. I'm not a fan at all of hers in real life.}

Phineas Whitney {Miriam's English beau} is another key player in this story. It took me forever to find the right actor for the job, though it's not as if it's a tough part to fill. Phineas is described as tall and blond with very blue eyes. Basic, bare-bones criteria. But I was looking for someone who could also be Phineas - not just look like him. Phineas is a wholesome, courteous, respectful young man, so I didn't want anyone who looked too unwholesome and, well...like he wouldn't be careful with a girl's heart. 

Unfortunately for me, I've seen The Phantom of the Opera, {wouldn't recommend the movie, though the music is {obviously} stupendous} so I've seen Patrick Wilson in the role of Raoul. 

I also happen to know that he can grow out his hair without looking ridiculous, which is good, seeing as he'd need to pull off a 18th century queue {and the name Phineas - poor man!}. Fortunately, he can also act the role of a respectful, courteous love-interest. And his eyes are blue, which is perfect. Give him a Colonial coat, a pair of breeches and buckled shoes and he's a shoo-in! 

Lastly, we'll cast Madame Du Quesne. In the book, she's a tough nut to crack, incredibly affluently-minded and domineering. In my opinion, Judi Dench {with a wig, of course} would make this role.  

She doesn't seem to smile much {and when she does it's very reserved} so I can easily envision her being strong-willed and intimidating to cross. 

And there you have it! 

In case you were interested, I actually started this post back when I began my blog {2010 or 2011, I believe?} and can't believe I just finished it now {kudos!}. It's a lot of fun, but awfully hard to fit the correct actor/actress with the right role. Much harder {evidently} than I initially anticipated. I guess you'll never find me advertising for a job as a casting agent! 

Until next time,

P.S. I'm not sure if everyone has transferred over to the new url yet {elizabethradewahn.blogspot.com} so if you have, please comment and let me know. Thanks!