Today we bring you a guest post from Russ Colchamiro, author of the hilarious backpacking adventure Finders Keepers:
As Finders Keepers continues to sell, the two questions I get most often are: when does the sequel come out, and have I ever thought about a Finders Keepers movie?
The answers are: I start writing the first of two sequels this summer and … you bet!
In fact, over the last few years Hollywood agents and producers have met with me briefly at the San Diego Comic-Con and NY Comic-Con, about the possibility of bringing Finders Keepers to the big screen. I can’t say these discussions have gained any real traction so far, but I’m constantly networking and trying to get myself in better position to see the Hollywood dream come to life.
And since we’re dreaming big, here’s my Hollywood casting “wish list” for the Finders Keepers movie:
Our bumbling hero is American Jason Medley, who falls into that nice-guy-not-a-stud-but-not-a-total-nerd-who-might-just-get-the-girl category, which I think would be captured perfectly by Jesse Eisenberg. Other great choices include Michael Cera, Jonah Hill or Jason Biggs (although he’s actually 34 now!)
As Finders Keepers continues to sell, the two questions I get most often are: when does the sequel come out, and have I ever thought about a Finders Keepers movie?
The answers are: I start writing the first of two sequels this summer and … you bet!
In fact, over the last few years Hollywood agents and producers have met with me briefly at the San Diego Comic-Con and NY Comic-Con, about the possibility of bringing Finders Keepers to the big screen. I can’t say these discussions have gained any real traction so far, but I’m constantly networking and trying to get myself in better position to see the Hollywood dream come to life.
And since we’re dreaming big, here’s my Hollywood casting “wish list” for the Finders Keepers movie:
Our bumbling hero is American Jason Medley, who falls into that nice-guy-not-a-stud-but-not-a-total-nerd-who-might-just-get-the-girl category, which I think would be captured perfectly by Jesse Eisenberg. Other great choices include Michael Cera, Jonah Hill or Jason Biggs (although he’s actually 34 now!).
Our second bumbling hero is New Zealander Theo Barnes, a good-looking, but quiet adventurer, who is the calmer, steadier hand to Jason. My top choice is Ryan Gosling doing a soft Kiwi accent. Another great choice is House alum Jesse Spencer (even though he’s Australian).
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Every good adventure needs a sexy troublemaker, and for Finders Keepers, Emma Stone would be a great Lilly. And when you pair her with Jesse Eisenberg, I think their chemistry would be fantastic. Other great choices include Alice Eve and Michelle Williams.
In our first of two split personalities, resident Galaxy Designer in the realm of Eternity is Emma, a drop dead gorgeous man-eater who’s not afraid to use her sex appeal to get what she wants. Anne Hathaway is my top choice. Olivia Munn and the underrated but delicious Alison Brie (Community, Mad Men) would also deliver a knock-out punch. Yet when we switch to our fantastical elements, Emma has been banished to Earth for being very naughty, and here she’s a big girl — and not happy about it. Hands down this all about Melissa McCarthy. See the before and after.
For every man-eater there needs to be a man who’s eaten, and poor Lex — an affable, capable everyman — is our guy. For me it’s always been Colin Hanks. Other great choices include Peter Facinelli. And Lex also gets banished to Earth. As a dog. A canine. That would be a CGI dog and the actor’s voice. See the before and after.
Also rounding our Finders Keepers cast:
- Brigsby — Modern Family dad Ty Burrell, as an aging, Oprah-style talk show host from Eternity.
- Hank — House doc extraordinaire Hugh Laurie, as the cranky, world-wise philosopher and mentor to Jason.
- Donald and Danielle — As bickering newlyweds I would love to pair up Philip Seymour Hoffman and Community’s Yvette Nicole Brown.
- George/Angelique — In the dual role of businessman/drag queen, I’ve always wanted John Cho (Star Trek, Harold & Kumar).
- Rufus — a misunderstood Eternity bad boy Rufus, Kenneth Michael Williams (The Wire) has got to be the man.
- Ira and Howard — And finally, I would cast Brad Pitt as the voice to our CGI Ira the Dolphin and James Earl Jones as the voice of Howard the Blue Whale.
Have you read Finders Keepers? What do you think of my cast? And don’t be shy. If you’ve got other choices, let me know! And if you want to see what comic book illustrator Michael Lunsford came up with for each character, click here.
Russ Colchamiro
www.russcolchamiro.com