A planned adaptation of Melissa Marr's dark fairy tale "Wicked Lovely" was just dropped by Universal, despite the addition of "American Pyscho" director Mary Harron in the driver's seat. But "Lovely" is in good company -- Universal also recently cut ties with Ron Howard's adaptation of 'The Dark Tower' series and Guillermo del Toro's "At The Mountains of Madness."
Naturally, producers are shopping the story around to other studios -- with a growing audience (the book landed on the New York Times bestseller list) and the attention of a big name like Harron, Marr hasn't given up hope. In fact, she's already picking her dream cast for the eventual movie version.
Marr tells NextMovie exclusively who she'd love to see filling all of those "Wicked Lovely" roles:
Hailee Steinfeld
Aislinn ("Ash") Foy: She can project powerful and vulnerable all at once. That's who Ash is as a person. She starts the series with an inner-strength, but she falters as she tries to make sense of the challenges. I think Hailee would be perfect.
Steven R. McQueen
Keenan: His hair is too dark, but his character in "Vampire Diaries" required him to flit through a range of rage, loss, hope, and quirky. He can be volatile—which is the key to being Keenan.
However, Landon Liboirom has my 17-year-old daughter's vote. I like his look, but I've not seen him in anything. Still, she pronounces him "the perfect Keenan," and since I wrote the series for her, I think her opinion comes first here.
Thomas Dekker
Seth: Thomas Dekker has a closer look, and I think he's versatile enough. Drew Roy is a little less visually matched, but I really like his presence on "Falling Skies."
Saoirse Ronan
Donia: I went to see "Hanna" with my daughter, and we both loved Saoirse Ronan. Badass with vulnerability. Perfect.
Sigourney Weaver
Beira: She carries off elegant and terrifying in the same moment. I love her.
Susan Saradon
Grams: I love love love her for this. Grams is a hardcore feminist, forward-thinking and smart.
Tom Sturridge
Irial: Seriously, if I could have only ONE vote in casting it would be Tom Sturridge as Irial. My daughter & I both loved "Pirate Radio" and watched it repeatedly. (Are you listening, mighty producers and director? We love him for this role.)
Josh Duhamel
Tavish: This one is a little harder. Tavish needs to be touch older as he's the sort of mentor figure. I'd probably pick Josh Duhamel. He carries off serious, capable of being a warrior, and just a touch arrogant.
?????
Niall: I have nothing here. He's so specific in my mind that I haven't found anyone I think is "just right." Like all of the roles, I have not-so-secret hopes of my producers and direct discovering someone totally new.
Also check out: 50 Upcoming Book-to-Movie Adaptations
