By Nathan Marchand
May 7, 2015
Believe it or not, I’ve been meaning to write this blog for several weeks, but it kept getting delayed by either computer problems or book releases or what not. Anyway, hello again, Wellsians! (Okay, not my best attempt at creating a name for our fanbase).
I decided I’d have a little fun with this blog. When I studied professional writing with Dr. Dennis E. Hensley at Taylor University Fort Wayne (where most of us Children of the Wells creators met, by the way), he suggested that fiction writers should “cast” their characters, i.e. select photos of actors they could see playing the character(s) if their story was made into a movie. I’ve done this with several of my projects over the years, and it’s helped me to keep an image of the character in my mind (I’m a visual person, anyway).
It shouldn’t surprise you that I did this when I wrote The Fall of the House of Kyzer, which I’ve talked about before. However, since then with the help of Tim (who created several new characters), I’ve “cast” most of the major players from the first trilogy of Jaysynn novellas. It won’t take you long to notice a bit of a pattern with my selections (as in, a nerdy one). Also, these are only how I (and Tim) see the characters. You are free to picture them however you like.
So, without further ado…
Grant Gustin as Jaysynn Kyzer
For the hero, I wanted someone who was young, athletic, brown-haired, and perhaps a bit a handsome. I wasn’t sure who to go with when I wrote the story. Then about halfway through the first season of CW’s The Flash, it dawned on me: Grant Gustin is perfect to play Jaysynn! (Okay, I admit the fact that Jaysynn’s magic ability is super-speed might’ve subconsciously played a role in casting him, too). 😛 Anyway, Gustin played the show’s titular superhero with equal measures of altruism, doubt, and impulsiveness. He’s strong and vulnerable. He may not always know what’s going on, but when he does, he, well, rushes in to save the day. I’m sure Gustin could easily get some martial arts and parkour training to complete the package.
Liam Neeson as Gen. Xander Dracon
This was the first person I “cast” in the story. I knew early on that I wanted Jaysynn to be dethroned by a traitor, and I wanted that traitor to be someone close to him. I already had a mentor for him, and then it came to me: have the mentor be the traitor. It was inspired by Ra’s al’Ghul in Batman Begins, who was played by none other than one of my favorite actors, Liam Neeson. At that moment, Neeson became Dracon in my mind. I wanted an older actor who could be both fatherly and intimidating; someone you could believe would just as easily shake your hand as stab you in the back. He had to seem wise and grizzled. This would require an actor with depth and skill, but also one who was comfortable to the physicality of the part. One look at Neeson and you know he could be Dracon.
Hayden Panettiere as Kyrie Velar
This was another recent casting, and one with which Tim disagreed with me a bit. He saw Kyrie, Jaysynn’s most trusted confidant (and potential love interest?) as a plain girl while Hayden Panettiere was more of a Hollywood bombshell. I can see what he means. However, in my mind, Kyrie is a “the girl next door.” You know the type: nice, kind of cute, and optimistic. A “hometown girl.” I pictured her as short and blonde, which fits Panettiere (the fact that she’s become a “bombshell” despite being only five-feet tall is astonishing). What made me think of her for Kyrie was her stint as the almost invulnerable cheerleader Claire Bennet on Heroes. As for being too pretty for this part, if Jennifer Lawrence can be made to look so plain to play Katniss Everdeen she’s almost unrecognizable, I think the same could be done with Panettiere.
(AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Gerard Butler as Micmour Hameldon
As stated, I consulted with Tim about the next few characters since he created them. However, with Mic, I diverged from his initial suggestion (sorry, Tim). Mic needed to be played by an actor a bit younger than Liam Neeson, but one who could look grizzled and battle-hardened. He’d also have to exhibit a gruff kindness that would make him endearing. I considered Daniel Craig at one point, but then settled on Gerard Butler. He’d probably have to hide his Scottish accent, but he has the physique and attitude to embody Mic. Now he just needs to run up to a villain and yell something like, “THIS IS THYRION!” before kicking him down a well. 😛
Andrea Gabriel as Amira Ley
I went with Tim’s suggestion for this one, though admittedly she might be a little too old for the part now. She’s also the most obscure actress on this list. Tim pictured CotW’s resident archer with a Middle Eastern complexion, and being a fan of the TV series Lost, figured Andrea Gabriel would be a good choice to “play” her. I can see why. Gabriel exudes both beauty and maturity (though the latter is questionable since she appeared in a Twilight movie :P), which would be necessary to portray Amira, who’s also a mother.
LL Cool J as Gunny
This was a difficult character to cast. Few actors could embody both the exuberance and physicality of Gunny (or, as I like to call him, “Happy Hulk”). Most actors with large builds are—to put it politely—better suited for stunt work. That’s why Tim initially thought the late great Michael Clark Duncan would be great to play Gunny, what with his huge muscles and endearing smile. I must admit he would’ve been perfect, but it’d be kind of hard getting a dead guy to play the character (no zombies allowed, sorry). However, Tim had a great second choice: LL Cool J. He also has a chiseled body, a great smile, and a fun-loving personality. Plus, he’s a singer.
What do you think? Are these good choices? Who would you cast? Have any ideas for who could play Bron, Calea, and/or Nyasha? Let us know in the comments!
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