It was recently announced that a film adaption of the first novel in the series, Odd Thomas would be written and directed by Stephen Sommers, best known for the films Van Helsing and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. While I'm a fan of Van Helsing, I was still a bit skeptical, so I decided to come up with my own cast for how this awesome novel should be adapted.
For those who are unsure of the basic story line, it revolves around a 20 year old fry cook in a desert California town called Pico Mundo. His name is Odd Thomas, and he can communicate with the dead in order to solve crimes and stop potential disasters.
Along with the novels, it has also been made into not one...
...but TWO graphic novels, making this a comic book movie of sorts.
So, let's get started, shall we?
For this supernatural thriller, I have chosen two directors I would love to see helm this movie.
Tim Burton is the master of the Gothic, creepy films. He has directed blockbusters such as
Batman,
Batman Returns,
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and
Alice in Wonderland.
I think Tim Burton would be phenomenal as a director and would give the air of wickedness to the film that Dean Koontz gave to his brilliant novel.
Compared to Tim Burton, Matthew Vaughn may seem like an odd choice, however it is attention to character and detail that impresses me most. His directing credits include
Stardust,
Kick-Ass, and
X-Men: First Class. In his films he is able to bring an emotional connection to the characters, as well as keep a strong focus on action and fantasy.
The Character: Odd Thomas is a 20 year old fry cook living in Pico Mundo, a California desert town. He has an extraordinary gift: to see the silent ghosts of the fallen. He uses this gift to both help these lost souls to the Other Side, as well as help them get closure on their deaths by solving their crimes.
The Actor: While Zach Braff is a bit older than the 20 year old fry cook, he has a boyish face that seems perfect for Odd Thomas. Zach Braff is best known for his roles in
Garden State,
The Last Kiss, and his starring role in the hit show
Scrubs.
The Character: Brownwen "Stormy" Llewellyn is Odd's girlfriend and "soul mate". She is a quirky woman who knows about Odd's secret ability.
The Actress: Zooey Deschanel is one of the quirkiest actresses out there. She first came to my attention in
(500) Days of Summer, however she has appeared in countless other films, such as
Elf,
The Happening,
Yes Man, and stars in the new television series
New Girl.
The Character: Wyatt Porter is the chief of police of Pico Mundo, and one of Odd's closest friends. He is also one of the few people who knows about Odd's gift. He treats Odd like a son, and in turn Odd sees him as a father. The two of them work together to solve or prevent crimes from happening.
The Actor: Tim Robbins has been around for a long time, and can convey both a paternal atmosphere, as well as an intense one. He has been in the films
Mystic River,
The Shawshank Redemption, and
Bull Durham. I think he would add depth to the character that would be a great anchor for Odd.
The Character: A physically imposing man who is nicknamed "Little", despite being bigger than his father. While he is enormous, he has a gentle soul and is a famous writer -- with six fingers on one hand. He also knows of Odd's gift.
The Actor: When I read the first novel, I often compared to Little Ozzie to Hagrid from the
Harry Potter novels, so who better to cast than Hagrid himself! Other than be most recognized for that role in the films, Robbie Coltrane has also been in
GoldenEye,
Van Helsing, and
The World is Not Enough.
The Character: A man Odd first meets inside his diner. His name is Bob Robertson, but has pasty, yeasty skin that leads to Odd calling him the Fungus Man. He first excites Odd's curiosity because he is being followed by a horde of bodachs, inky black demons that follow evil around.
The Actor: Crispin Glover is a fan favorite for the Joker, and he is a talented actor who could easily pull off both roles. He has appeared in the films
Back To The Future,
Willard, and
Alice in Wonderland. I think he has the creepy, isolated feel to him that I think would be great in the Fungus Man.
The Character: Shamus Cocobolo is a friend of Odd's who is a blind DJ at a radio station. He is also a great source of local folklore and the like. While he doesn't know about Odd's gift, he does sense something greater in him, and affectionately calls him "Wizard".
The Actor: Djimon Hounsou is a fantastic actor. Another fan favorite here, this time for both T'Chaka and his son, the Black Panther: T'Challa. He has been in
Blood Diamond,
Constantine, and
In America. I think he would be a great addition to the cast, and would work well as the blind DJ.
The Character: While providing the role of a surrogate mother for Odd, she is also his boss and confidant. She has an obsession with Elvis Presley, and sometimes lends her car to Odd. She does not know of his ability.
The Actress: Tea Leoni is a highly underrated actress who is excellent in just about anything she's in. She is best known for her roles in
Spanglish,
Fun With Dick and Jane, and
Bad Boys.
The Character: Simon Varner is a police officer working for Chief Porter. He knows that the Chief and Odd have a special relationship, but does not know about Odd's gift, or that he solves crimes.
The Actor: Adrien Grenier is best known for his starring role as Vincent Chase in
Entourage. I think Grenier would be able to play off the cop role pretty well.
The Character: Same situation as Simon Varner. He is a police officer for Pico Mundo and works for Wyatt Porter.
The Actor: Wes Bentley is another intense actor that would do well in this smaller role. He has been in
Ghost Rider and
P2.
The Character: A school teacher who plays an important role in the novel.
The Actor: Tyler Labine is best known for his roles in the short-lived sitcom
Mad Love, as well as a supporting role in the film
Rise of the Planet of the Apes.
The Character: Odd's estranged mother who plays a pivotal emotional role in film.
The Actress: Mariska is best known for her long-standing role on
Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. She is a talented actress who would be great at playing the emotional role of Odd's mother.
The Character: Harlo Landerson went to Odd's high school and is introduced early on in the novel (first or second chapter I believe). He is introduced to help show off Odd's unique talents.
The Actor: To be perfectly honest I don't really know what else he's been in, but he has been cast in this role for the actual
Odd Thomas film. Without giving too much away, I do think that Matthew Page has the right look for Harlo, and it's pretty much spot on what I was figuring.
The Character: Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n Roll is, of course, dead. His ghost as taken up residency for some unknown reason in Pico Mundo and accompanies Odd on most of his adventures, either providing comic relief, or a sympathetic shoulder.
The Actor: Jonathan Rhys-Meyers has been in films such as
Mission: Impossible III,
Match Point, and has actually played The King before in the mini-series
Elvis. He is a terrific actor, and after checking him out in
Elvis I am convinced he could replay the character and be phenomenal!
Thanks for taking the time to read through this! Please leave your comments below, they're much appreciated!!!