!I just read this book last week, and for the first time in a long time, I found myself just naturally imagining certain actors in the roles of the characters. Usually, I have to do a fair bit of hunting around for somebody who fits with the image in my head, but this time it just popped, and I could not wait to get to the computer and put together my fantasy cast for this book! (nerd alert!)
First up, our narrator. Death. This is the character that one name, and one name only, stuck with me throughout the entire story: Paul Bettany.
First of all, I love Paul Bettany. Other than his penchant for showing his skinny rear end in movies, that is. I think he can handle the stoic persona of Death. I also think he can make you believe that he wants to feel and be involved, even though he can't be. It's a big enough part, with enough lines to demand a big name, but not so much screen time that a studio will demand it be some run-of-the-mill pretty boy. No, Paul Bettany it is. I demand it!
Leisel Meminger- While Death is our narrator, Leisel is actually our star. The protagonist, if you feel you must narrow it down to just one person. She is the Book Thief, and she is the girl the story revolves around. Leisel is young when the story starts, but the bulk of the story is told while she is a teenager. I think Dakota Fanning could do it if they started production, like, now, but they aren't starting production right now. So, instead I submit Chloe Moretz as my choice.
The Hubermans are people that, at first, are rough and intimidating, and thoroughly a part of the typical Nazi Germany landscape. As time goes by, Leisel learns to love them, they love her and you see a peek into the people they were before all this madness started.
Hans "Papa" Huberman- Eric Roberts
Rosa "Mama" Huberman- Ashley Crow
Did you know there is a severe shortage of famous young men in this world? Yes, there is. There is a plethora of young girls (is that a result of perverted studio executives or stage moms living vicariously... you decide) but not a lot of boys. And most of them look a little... dumb (I'm looking at you Cole and Dylan Sprouse!). But, have no fear, I found a kid the right age that I think is a reasonable Rudy Steiner- Alexander Ludwig
The Mayor's wife, Ilsa Hermann- Marian Seldes
And the crazy neighbor lady, Frau Holzapfel- Rosana Arquette
Max Vandenburg- In general, I am not one to be a stickler for authenticity. Yes, of course, the people of Nazi Germany need to be played by white, blond people, but they don't all need to necessarily be German to pull it off. In general, I think an actor puts on a persona, and sometimes that persona is of another heritage or culture. There are few exceptions to this rule in my mind, and Jewish victims of the Holocaust are one of those exceptions. I don't think anybody else has the right, let alone the ability to capture the haunted feeling of these people in this time. Max Vandeburg must, absolutely must, be played by a young man of Jewish descent. No questions about it. I submit to you, Jake Hoffman.
Agree? Disagree? Post your thoughts in the comments?
Images: Google Images
