Casting Call
In the next screenwriting contest I plan to enter, one of the prizes for the top three winners is a possible meeting with a major motion picture studio. Not that my script could make it that far (although I’d certainly be pleased if it did), but still, it got me wondering who I’d suggest the studio cast for the film if I ever made it that far.
Yeah, I’m a looser. I’ll get to edit my short story today, I promise! But let’s just play “what-if” for a moment.
What if “Last Rights” got optioned to be made into a feature film? Who would play who?
Johnny Boscow – Johnny Depp
screenplay description of Boscow - "Across the nightstand, sitting cramped on the right side of the bed, is JOHNNY BOSCOW, 31, tall dark and contrite."
The story’s weird main character, despondent late night host Johnny Boscow, would be played by the weird actor Johnny Depp. (Similarities between the character and actor’s first names are unintended by the way; I wrote the part as a possible role for Gabe. But if you know your late night history then you probably understand why I chose to name my main character Johnny).
Depp’s frantic, more satirical and world weary persona would have to be shown in this film. Brock H. Brown would coach Depp to play the part like “a good boy scout who’s escorted an old lady and her very heavy packages for one block too many”.
Albert Reily – Philip Seymour Hoffman
Johnny’s spiteful and self-serving head writer (and later sidekick) would have to be played by a unique and organic character actor. He’d have to be able to be sweet as sugar one moment and then black and acidic as bile the next. Hoffman is the perfect build for Albert, and his skills would enable him to play the roll well.
Max Powers – Bruce Campbell
Who better to play late night’s b-list host then b-list actor Bruce Campbell? He’s got the goofy, overly heroic build and the charisma to face off against Depp in a TV “winner takes all”.
Robert Gleck - Dylan Baker
Baker is yet another fluid character actor who also has the right age and mettle to take on the considerable role of the plot’s secondary character, Johnny’s producer. Baker would have to wear a headpiece that would make him look like he’s balding, but other then a few light makeup changes, he’s primed to be the man behind the stage, freaking out at the loss of sponsors.
5 comments:
Excellent choices on the supporting cast. I can't imagaine Johnny Depp as a talk show host (I'm trying really hard), but I'm sure he'd do a great job. I know I would watch his show!
FYI, Johnny Depp was on The Village "making of" mockumentary... and he was sublime.
Excellent choices indeed.
Where was this mockumentary "making of" of The Village?
I think I was watching it on IFC. This thing was three hours long! All to hype The Village.
The premise was that Night had hired a crew to document the making of the film, but the Director has started to dig a little deeper into Night's past, talking to old acquaintances and schoolmates, and finally confronting Night about the secrets from his past.
Johnny Depp played himself having auditioned for the part of Noah, but turning it down due to Night's weirdness. Depp was the highlight of the whole production.
I really wanted to see that documentary. I remember hearing that Depp was in it, I just didn’t know in what capacity. Yeah, I gotta check it out. I think Gabe told me that Depp was rumored to have been offered a role in one of M. Night's movies, but turned it down. That's probably where the rumor came from.
I personally feel he would be a good choice for my eccentric talk show host. I’ve been told though that Jason Bateman could pull it off, and I’ve even imagined Boscow as played by Will Arnett.
No doubt I have confidence in Depp's abilities. I'm sure he would do something very unique.
It's a weird role. You think of these late night guys as goofy, funny, but I feel that you are going for something a little more edgy, a little more disturbed even. Certainly a step or two beyond the madness that is Conan O. or Craig K.
It's an intersting script, because, depending on the shots you want, this sounds way more complex than anything you could personaly undertake, even with the help of ten of your closest friends. The end result would be great, though. I hope it does make it!
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