Have you ever read a book and the resulting film's actor is wrong?

meritaten

Tom Cruise is NOT Jack Reacher! I laughed when I heard Cruise was to play him.
I saw an interview with Lee Child about this and he very diplomatically said that Characters are not always interpreted on film the way they are in books (or something to that effect). But, Childs descriptions of Reacher are the antithesis of Cruise in every way! I cannot imagine one reader could have immediately thought 'Oh Yes, just like Tom Cruise'!
The film will flop because Reachers fans will NOT go to see it! and why would anyone else?

pollypenny

Tom Cruise as the main character in War of the Worlds didn't worry me as he was an ordinary bloke.

In the novel the narrator is a philosopher and much of the book is devoted to his thoughts on the invasion.

There has never been a decent Heathcliffe, though.

meritaten

For those who love Jack Reacher novels - there is another author with a similar theme - name of Matt Hilton and his hero is called 'Joe Hunter'. has a more British theme tho most of the action is set in America. The first novel is called 'Dead Mens Dust'. Try it, I recommend it!

skylight

pollypenny wrote: »

There has never been a decent Heathcliffe, though.

Oh, I don't know. Cliff Richard was just perfectly cast in that role.






:eek::rotfl:

CruisingSaver

I haven't read any of the Jack Reacher books but I do quite like Patricia Cornwell and Kathy Reichs as authors. Are Lee Childs' books in a similar-ish vein?

CS

ali-t

CruisingSaver wrote: »

I haven't read any of the Jack Reacher books but I do quite like Patricia Cornwell and Kathy Reichs as authors. Are Lee Childs' books in a similar-ish vein?

CS

TBH, from reading the blurb on the Jack Reacher series I would not have picked them up but a colleague swore I would love them and her motto for life is 'Reacher said nothing'.

He is basically a bum who wanders around, falls into trouble and then sorts it all out as an unlikely hero with a penchant for (totally justifiable) violence. The books are written really well and are total page turners.

meritaten

CruisingSaver wrote: »

I haven't read any of the Jack Reacher books but I do quite like Patricia Cornwell and Kathy Reichs as authors. Are Lee Childs' books in a similar-ish vein?

CS

No - not in the slightest!

Reacher is an Ex Military Policeman, he feels disconnected to America due to his childhood as an 'Army Brat'. He lived all over the world but rarely in America. on leaving the service he takes off to 'discover' America taking just his toothbrush! (slight exaggeration, but not much). He is a real tough guy with the mind of Sherlock Holmes. The series is about the 'adventures' he has as he travels the country. Reacher also has a strong sense of duty and justice. The novels go along at a fast pace and can be quite violent - but the violence is justified as its aimed at the 'bad guy(s). There is also a convoluted plot and sometimes takes some working out.
You dont NEED to read them in order - but it helps!

barbiedoll

Much as I think TC is a bit of a nut-job, I do like a lot of his films. But he is definitely not the right actor to play Jack Reacher!

I've only read one Reacher book but if I remember rightly, isn't he also a little "beaten-up", with wounds and injuries from his previous adventures? I know they can do a lot with make-up and camera angles but even so, I doubt that TC is even 5'7" without his heels on! (Not that there's anything wrong with short men, I'm a big Paul Rudd fan and he's small but perfectly formed! )

Liam Neeson would have been perfect a few years ago, he's got that world-weary, rugged look and he's HUGE. Viggo Mortenson would also be great as would Gerard Butler. Especially if there are any gratuitous shirt-removing scenes.

*Goes off for a lie-down*

aliasojo

meritaten wrote: »

The series is about the 'adventures' he has as he travels the country.

You make him sound like 'The Littlest Hobo'.

Cullumpster

I haven't read any of the Reach books but I will certainly look for them now, I love reading i'd definitely join the book club. My recent reads were the series from Tess Gerittsen (sp) starting with the surgeon, loved them, also just read the hunger games trilogy after just picking it from the beat sellers list, really enjoyed the 1st 2 not so much the third one.
Started reading Stephen King years ago love him, has anyone read heart shaped box (i think that's what it's called) written by his son Joe something (could be hill)?