September 2, 2003
Chick Lit Turned Chick Movie
A recent Hollywood Reporter piece about the resurgence of chick films based on chick literature made us wonder how many of these films will actually make it to the screen, as there's a little something called development hell (will Gothamist ever see The Alienist on screen?) standing in between the deal and actual production.
One book that seems to be moving along towards life as a movie is The Parker Grey Show, which we reviewed earlier this summer Gothamist hears that the screenplay is out to directors, under the watchful eye of producers Ted Hope and Ann Carey, whose past credits include American Splendor, Lovely & Amazing, The Ice Storm, and the upcoming NY Film Festival closer, 21 Grams, starring Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro and Naomi Watts. Kate Hudson is interested in playing Parker, but as she's pregnant and may drop out, we suggest Maggie Gyllenhaal, Michelle Williams, and Scarlett Johanssen, actresses who can play both fun and full-of-pathos - without being schticky and pathetic. Unknown is who will play M, the dashing, foreign "I'm not a doctor but I play one on TV" actor, who bears more than a striking resemblance to ER's Dune-loving Goran Visnjic, he of the smoldering Croatian eyes. (Of course Goran himself would be great, but would that be too meta?) We're thinking Anna Paquin or Judy Greer for Parker's nutty friend Lil, William Fichtner for the conspiracy theorist bartender, and Christopher Plummer for Smith.
Read Parker Grey and let us know who you think should be cast.
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Speaking of meta in chick lit flicks, the fact that they cast Colin Firth as Mark Darcy is a bit weird, when in the book sequal, Briget gets an assignment to interview Colin Firth, the heartthrob of England after his role of Darcy in "Pride and Prejudice" on the BBC. So in the movie version of the sequal, are they going to change the person she is supposed to interview?
Or will Colin Firth have to do double duty? I too wondered about that. For some reason, it seems like there might be a precedent for having a star play a character and him/herself in a movie(maybe from screwball 50s comedies...) but I don't know.
The other thing is that in the movie Bridget Jones' Diary, there isn't the emphasis on watching Pride and Prejudice as there was in the book. Maybe Bridget will end up interviewing like Jude Law or something.
How about Johnny Depp for M?
How about Zooey Dechanel as Parker? Check her out in ALL THE REAL GIRLS on DVD. Christina Ricci feels too one the nose - Reese Witherspoon would be fab and Drew Barrymore -what about Hilary Duff or Amanda Bynes? Kirsten Dunst is hot - there are also some up-and-comers - Ron Howard's daughter who is in the next project by MNight Shyamalan. I wonder if hottie Keira Knightly (Bend it Like Beckham) can play American?
I know I'm gonna get booed, but what about Britney Spears? After that kiss with Madonna on the MTV awards, I think our little girl is all grown up. I like a lot of the indie casting idea, but let's face it, we want this to be playing at Manns and AMCs.
If it's Britney Spears I'll kill myself.
I second the nomination for Johnny Depp. He's got the eyes, the coolness, the everything. How about Christina Ricci for Lil? Paul Newman for Smith - at least I would believe Lil might sleep with him!
There's a fabulous new young actress who could play Parker Grey - she even has the hair. Her name is Emmy Rossum - she's appeared in Song Catcher and the Upcoming sci-fi flick, the Day After Tomorrow - she was also a music prodigy and sang at the Met as a child. She just nabbed the plumb role of Christine in the long-awaited screen version of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. She's also from New York - she's stunning.
Kristen, don't kill yourself over Briney. Let's kill her instead.
Kirsten Dunst is a decent idea.
What about Gene Hackman for Smith! I don't think it's about looks with Lil, it's only about power...
There's a fabulous new young actress who could play Parker Grey - she even has the hair. Her name is Emmy Rossum - she's appeared in Song Catcher and the Upcoming sci-fi flick, the Day After Tomorrow - she was also a music prodigy and sang at the Met as a child. She just nabbed the plumb role of Christine in the long-awaited screen version of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. She's also from New York - she's stunning.
Emmy Rossum will also be playing Sean Penn's daughter in the upcoming Clint Eastwood-directed, Mystic River, which opens the NY Film Festival. She's got the curly hair, too.
And Chris, I too wondered about Zooey. I think Kirsten, while bankable, might be too overexposed, and Ron Howard's daughter, Bryce Dallas Howard, is an interesting idea.
Doesn't it seem like there are plenty of Smith candidates? Gene Hackman's great, though he doesn't seem old enough. Also Hal Linden, Clint Eastwood, and all the other old guys who pair up with young women in the movies. Is Patrick Stewart old enough for Smith?
how do you make movies out of gum? oh wait, different chiclet. my bad.
Oh dear GOD. No, no NOOOOO to Kirsten Dunst. Did you READ the book?? While sober??
Dunst just has that damsel in distress act way too perfected. And Parker is no damsel. Maggie Gyllenhaal gets my vote. And if it's Michelle Williams... I'm going pretend I never heard of the book/movie. I want nothing to do with that had-to-be-killed-off-Dawson flake. And didn't we learn our lesson re: Britney in Crossroads?
HAL LINDEN???? You say that like he's been in one thing since Barney Miller went off the air. HAL LINDEN????? What about Abe Vigoda while we're at it???? Seriously, though, what about Redford? He's getting up there. Robert Duvall? Martin Sheen? James Garner? Tommy Lee Jones? Pretty much the entire cast of Space Cowboys.
gene hackman is already 72 or 73-he's pretty old!
On teh up and coming side, what about Allison Lohman? I know she's playing 14 in MATCHSTICK MEN, but I think she's really in her early 20s. She was also great in White Oleander.
Also for Smith, Michael Caine or Sean Connery just for a twist. There are other great brits like ben Kingsley, Terrence Stamp (yummy)or Albert Finney
I have said from the moment I read this book that Allison Lohman would be perfect. She's 24 or 25 - same age as Parker and she's an amazing actress.
I liked Michelle Williams in both Dick (one of the funniest movies of the past five years - Will Ferrell as Bob Woodward, need I say more) and Me Without You (serious Chick Flick). She's been doing a lot of NY stage lately and I think she's very underrated. In fact, in the last days of Dawson's she was one of the best things. But I understand the discomfort; maybe she could play Caroline.
The thing with Smith is that he can't be too too attractive - it still has to seem weird that Lil sees him.
Michelle was also great in one of those HBO If Walls Could Talk in which she played a fem lesbian to the very butch one played by the other chick from Boys Don't Cry whose name I can't pronounce - they had a very hot girl-on-girl sex scene (better than Ellen and Sharon Stone, you ask?). Another idea, tough beautiful New Yorker, Rosario Dawson (Kids, 25th Hour, Men In Black 2) - she just got ask opposite Colin Farrell in Oliver Stone's ALEXANDER. I for one am still very itrigued by the Hal Linden suggestion. If he's not available, what about Gabe Kaplan? Seriously, though, Warren Beatty?
GENE HACKMAN NOT OLD ENOUGH???!!! Who would you suggest, Methusalah????!!!!!!!
How about the great Don Knotts as Smith?
Oh my god? Mr Chicken!!!!! I still picture him clinging to that carousel during the opening credits of THREE'S COMPANY. Inspired idea. Also, Tim Conway!!!
What about Kate Beckinsale? If you don't like her, check out COLD COMFORT FARM from a few years ago - brilliant!!!
how about adding a little ethnicity!! Lucy Liu or Kelly Hoo?
Okay. I sort of like the idea of Lucy Liu. I hate Don Knotts. Although maybe Shelly Winters could be Mrs. Smith and now suddenly, I'm liking the idea of Don Knotts -- only does Don have the range to be believable as a captain of industry?
Don Knotts not have enough range? Who else do you know who could segue from the Apple Dumpling Gang to Gus to the Ghost & Mr. Chicken and the Incredible Mr. Limpet. I'd like to see Pacino take on those roles. Hey, what about Pacino? Or Brando?
Why so many suggestions for wishy-washy blondes with no real spunk?? The way I read Parker is with much more emphasis on spunk and a unique look reflecting that rather than just someone young, fun, and cute. This is no spineless girl! My thoughts lean more toward Jennifer Garner a la Daredevil, or Jaime King a la Bulletproof Monk...while the movies weren't so hot, these actresses are hot, young, and ballsy brunettes who might be able to play quirky. Or, perhaps Brittany Murphy, or Kate Beckinsdale? For the quirky friend, Lil, I think Natasha Lyonne would hit it on the head. She rocks. For M, I see someone like Dylan McDermott....getting a TV star would be amusing.
Jaime King is actually a blond. If we're going recovered teen drug addict, I'd say Bijou Philips - she's nuts. She'd be good for Lil, too.
a few years ago, it would have been the perfect Parker Posey vehicle.How about the girl from Blue Car, Agnes Bruckner? Too indie?
Hi, new here. I also reviewed the Parker Grey Show on my site.
Candidates for Parker Grey Besides Kate Hudson - Liv Tyler?
Lil - Is Joan Cusak way too old?
Candidates for M besides the incredibly gorgeous Goran - Johnny Depp, Hugh Jackman...mmmmm, yummy
Smith - I think someone ironic here, unexpected who can play older. Or, someone obvious like Hugh Hefner. I was thinking Christopher Plummer as well. Since it's playing on La Femme Nikita, perhaps a villian like Smoking Man from X-files or an old Bond villian? You could have a lot of fun casting Smith.
So hard to think of more without a list in front of me!
Steve Buschemi would work for the conspiracy loving bartender possibly, or Joe Paliantano.(sp)
If Clint Eastwood gets to sleep with another woman under the age of 40 on screen, I think I'll have to shoot myself. But Gene Hackman or Michael Caine (or of course, Robert Redford or Warren Beatty) would be good.
And I think Maggie Gyllenhaal for Parker would be great.
I think Maggie Gyllenhal is great for Parker too, and I LOVE Johnny Depp for M. But who's going to be Vaughn the hilarious gay guy?
For Smith, how about Nick Nolte? If Goran won't play "M", how about Raul Bova - he's the hunk who plays opposite Diane Lane in under the Tuscan Sun. Or Eduardo Verastigue from Chasing Papi. BEST OF ALL!!! VIGGO!!!!!!!!!
I loved the book, but it doesn't necessarily scream "easy adaptation." Will all the characters and events be in the movie, or will some things/people have to go?
Ah... a question I can help with. Trudy and Caroline have been merged into Vaughn... and the entire notion of 'the show' has been expanded so that whenever Parker is in 'show mode' (her coping mechanism) the entire look and feel of the movie will change into The Parker Grey Show (which is an Alias/La Femme Nikita hybrid)... Lots of gun metal greys and karate fights and car chases etc... oh and of course, Parker looking svelt in black. Everything else is pretty much the same...
Kristen - who would you like to see play Vaughn - and all the other characters for that matter?
Kristen - great to have you on line - loved the book - a few questions about the book. Who is Raymond Bongiovanni? I see you wrote the book in his memory. A mentor perhaps? On your "thanks" page, you list The Team at Endeavor - are they your agents? I hear they are quite good. Also, you list a guy named "Ewan" - I love Ewan MacGregor - is this guy Scottish too? It's an unusual name.
Oooh, like that idea with the look change during the Parker Grey show. Very cool.
Anne
However, the casting choice that I want to know, is WHO will play the downstairs sleeping farting neighbor?
hmmmm?
Danielle: Raymond Bongiovanni was indeed my mentor - he was completely brilliant and responsible for some great books being turned into film -- like Fight Club for example (his name is at the end of that movie as well). Ewan is a great name... too bad most people pronounce it Eee - wan thus causing most guys named Ewan to go by a nickname... like Jack for instance.
Yes... Viggo would be great. Viggo and Liv maybe.
Maybe it would be cool to cast a hot TV actress to play on the fact that Parker lives in her own TV show - Katie Holmes is wonderful in a new movie called Pieces of April. I love this new girl, Misha Barton, who is on the OC - but she's very young. I also love the girl on Smallville - she's half Asian. What about Natalie Portman? She's growing up and she's a Long Island Girl. Too bad Winona is looney tunes.
I like that girl on Smallville as well -- she has an amazing look -- I also like Natalie Portman a lot as well... Winona was discussed but ultimately deemed too insane
I also love the girl on Gilmore Girls that was in Tuck Everlasting - she has the hair - Alexis Bledel
Kooky idea - Avril Lavigne? Kelly Osbourne as her friend Lil??? What about Angleina Jolie? Too vampish?
Love Avril - but who knows if she can act. If you go with a singer, try Nora Jones - she has the great Parker hair.
I was thinking Nora Jones as well. But the acting thing is a question.
Let's talk directors. Who's game?
I hear the script is out to Spike Jonze and Dean Parisot (Home Fries, Galaxy Quest).
Why not Sophia Coppola? Could be a great change of pace for her.
angelina jolie cannot do chick movies, it just doesn't suit her
I prefer "chick lick"
I think Michelle Williams is superb. I have seen her in two plays, and she was absolutely fantastic in both, winning rave reviews. She was excellent in the aforementionted Me Without You and contributes a very nice, supporting turn in current critic favorite The Station Agent. I think she'd be great.
Dahl doll...
{sorry, it was too hard to resist} I think the Colin Firth character becomes George Clooney. I believe that was what I'd heard. Hmm... Colin, George and Hugh... damn.