Fantasy Casting - Second Act

Well, this week has seen me approaching several actors and actresses... Should that be acti? What is the name for a group of actors and actresses anyway? A rehab of talent? Maybe someone could look it up for me. So while they are stewing over whether they wish to be involved in my projects I will take the fantasy casting through to the second block of episodes that have been prepared for "12 Days."


EL AMOR DE UN HOMBRE ESPANOL

Two Spanish lovers receive some bad news. But one won't accept bad news at Christmas time and is determined not to listen.



Starring:: Benedict Cumberbatch as Oscar

Oscar is the one who receives the bad news, brooding and miserable. While don't for one moment believe that Mr C, has an inability to go beyond broody I do believe he has an exotic look which would be perfect for a Spaniard in the midst of personal issues, plus I believe it would be excellent to see his interplay with...



Starring: Johnny Lee Miller as Cesc

Cesc is the optimist, the  man who sees no wrong who believes in a better future and that Christmas is about peace, love and drinking. Imagine the chemistry between a broody Cumberbatch and an energetic Miller. Imagine the flocking of young ladies when they know that they're playing lovers. Yes it may be eye candy casting, but at least these boys can act.


CAMGIRL CARNAGE

A webcam model describes the first business date she went on with a client and how it didn't come with a happy ending.



Starring: Shannon Whirry as Aisha.

For certain members of the audience Shannon Whirry is an unknown actress. For the rest of them she was the greatest softcore actress of the 90's. I am in the latter category and have to admit she is a perfect lady with a lot of attributes. who better to play a Webcam model then a former sex kitten? the role of Aisha calls for someone who can seduce you with her eyes, her smile and make you imagine that naughty things were a distinct possibility, in that respect Shannon is highly if not over qualified for the role.  


FLIRTATIONS WITH THE LAUNDRY
A party girl in an apartment block finds herself trapped in the laundry room with a man with more than dirty laundry on his mind.






Starring: Gerrard Butler as Steve.

Take a look at that face. If ever there was someone who oozed arrogance and sleaze with some enigmatic charm and cheeky sense of humour it's Gerard Butler. For anyone who has seen 'The Naked Truth' or 'The Bounty Hunter' then you'll know what I'm talking about. Steve is that kind of man, he carries a laundry basket with his arms outstretched so he can tense his muscles. Deliberately wears vests and shorts to show off his gym body because he thinks its what the ladies want. Well, buff, cheeky, sleazy and arrogant are all traits that we've seen Gerard Butler portray in a number of roles and sometimes all at the same time.



Starring: Audrey Tautou as Colleen.

Giggly, girlie, with a hidden secret. Teasing, tempting and giddy. There's more than meets the eye to Colleen, the bored party girl who is doing her laundry in the apartment basement late at night. In a similar vein to the character of Aisha, a lot of what Colleen does is in her look and the way she acts. Audrey Tautou is another one of those actresses who uses their body. Creating a mood with a smile, a glance or a look. Some of the sexiest eyes in the movie industry and a continental flair that betrays her French heritage.

A Little Game Of Fantasy Casting

Something that every movie maker or screen writer has done, (whether they care to admit it or not) is to fantasy cast one of their projects. In the build up to the new project (Project 12 Days) I'm going to play the game with you guys now. In the past I have cast John Cusack and Winona Ryder as my principle leads. I even went as far as choosing to entice Leonard Nimoy back into the Directors chair for the Sci-Fi epic, "No Earthly Connection". a script that I never finished but, once photoshopped, the poster looked brilliant.

I am picking three scripts (out of 12 for those of you paying attention) and will give you a brief plotline and the fantasy cast.

If you're sitting comfortably I'll begin.

VAMPIRE ROSES

"Nunwood Vampire Justine McVey has a date with a secret admirer."

 

Starring: Nicole De Boer as Justine McVey.
As seen in: Star Trek DS9, The Dead Zone, X Rated, Metal Tornado.

There are a couple of reasons why I'd cast Nicole as my Justine McVey. First and foremost is that she is a lovely actress who has an innocent, wide eyed quality to her that fits with the vision I have of Justine. I don't mind admitting that part of my decision to cast is the little crush I have on her and it would be lovely to meet her on set. :) Justine is innocent and sweet. Sexy and vicious. Nicole is cute, determined and smart. Together they could be formidable.

Starring Lee Evans as Donald

As seen in: The Medallion, Mouse Hunt, Doctor Who. 

Donald is a wonderfully weird character. A man who has fallen in love with a Vampire to the point where he carries pictures around with him. Manic and geeky. The role needs to go to someone who can pull it off without being bad strange. Someone with a charm and likeability so you can see beyond the weird obsession to the love and affection that Donald has towards Justine. Everyone loves Lee Evans, his turn as Dr Malcolm in Planet Of The Dead is just the right side of Geek to make him loveable. 

A PRESENT FOR ELIZA.

"The Voice, allows Eliza, the survivor of his latest game to choose her own Christmas present."

Starring: Helena Bonham-Carter as Eliza. 

As seen in: Planet Of The Apes, Big Fish, Fight Club, Alice In Wonderland

Eliza is a fragile, damaged young lady. taken from the streets as a teenager she has been forced to take part in vicious games to appease The Voice. Eliza has survived several brutal rounds and seen everyone around her die in the process. As victor she has lost her mind, but her prize is a chance to live in the darkness. If anyone can play the role, it's HBC. Twitchy, on edge and despite the fact that her mind is broken into a million little pieces still gorgeous. This could be another Marla Singer and she still looks hot in an eye patch. 

MESSAGE TO THE GREAT BEYOND

"A young Wiccan tries to contact her lost boyfriend." 

Starring: Ellen Page as Danielle

As seen in: Juno, Inception, X-Men III, Super

Anyone who's seen Juno will appreciate that Ellen Page gives a great performance as the wise ass child growing up quickly. There's a lot of things to be negative about, mostly the song and undertone of Jason Bateman's character bordering on obsession with a young girl. Danielle is a girl in control of her own life, knowing what she wants and is willing to experiment to get it. This episode calls for a strong spine of comedy, the central character should be moody and have a bit of a tantrum when things don't go their way. Credentials that exist in Page's Juno more than in anybody in the dodgy follow up 'Jennifer's Body'. 

So there you have it. If money/location were no object that's the cast I'd be looking at for these episodes. I'd be interested in hearing about your thoughts on who you would cast based on these loglines. 

I've already got Catherine Tate in mind as a busty barmaid in a Zombie flick and Winona Ryder and John Cusack in a Sci-Fi epic. So don't go steeling them!!