Casting Call! Children’s Literature: The Movie
I’ve found that everyone loves a good celebrity doppelgänger. Even if it’s unflattering, it’s always oddly fascinating. As a guy who was once likened to Paul from The Wonder Years, I can attest to this.
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I think it’s time we put together a list of actors who could play today’s children’s literature luminaries. Although Kadir Nelson, obviously, would have to play himself (reason: too damn handsome).
I posted this question on Facebook recently an received some excellent suggestions, and now I’m hoping to hear from you.
Do you have a good children’s literature celebrity look-alike to share? Are you a children’s lit author or illustrator and have a look-alike people tell you about? Post it in the comments or (if you’re shy) send me an email (scopenotes@gmail.com). Be peppy if possible – I’ll try to post the star-studded cast (and, hey, why not a script concept?) this coming Tuesday.
This will be fun.
(Top image: ‘Highland Theatre‘ http://www.flickr.com/photos/9087290@N02/2732675487 Found on flickrcc.net)
Filed under: Articles
About Travis Jonker
Travis Jonker is an elementary school librarian in Michigan. He writes reviews (and the occasional article or two) for School Library Journal and is a member of the 2014 Caldecott committee. You can email Travis at scopenotes@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter: @100scopenotes.
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Ok, I’ll bite. Stanley Tucci as Jon Scieszka?
The brave first commenter! Thank you – I can see that one.
(Are we allowed to suggest other people? Or did you just want illustrators/authors to do it for themselves?)
Any and all lookalikes that come to mind are welcome!
Helen Hunt as JK Rowling. Blond hair, tight smile, fierce love of children…they are a match!
This is a good one – thanks!
Johnny Depp as Neil Gaiman
Yes! Thanks
I always thought JK Rowling and Cate Blanchett looked alike 🙂
Jarrett J. Krosoczka and Alan Cumming
And speaking of Karir Nelson, at ALA I was in a loooong Starbucks line and texted back to my colleagues in the booth, “This is going to take a while, the line for coffee is longer than the line to make out with Kadir Nelson!”
Vin Diesel for Gordon Korman!
And Lisa Loeb for Raina Telgemeier. Glasses + Smiley + Brunette + Awesome.
Such a good crowd-sourcing idea! I have spent about 42% of my day off thinking about this.
Yes to both! Thank you!
You do not look like Paul in the Wonder Years unless you wore his 60s glasses.
Jarret Krosoczka played by John Krasinki
Tommy Lee Jones playing Jack Gantos
Cynthia Lord played by Amy Adams
This is kind of fun!
http://www.imdb.com/media/rm820741376/nm0000450
Philip Seymour Hoffman as Daniel Handler.
Yes! I love this one – thank you
This is fun! In your script, I think you should have Eric Carle, Barry Moser, and Tommie dePaola playing each other.
This is a lock! Thanks Sondy
Norton Juster should be in that group too.
Josh Radnor (aka Ted Mosby) as Jon Klassen.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Mac Barnett.
Caroline Rhea as Kate DiCamillo
You, sir, are a genius. Thank you!
Jamie Lee Curtis as Jamie Lee Curtis.
I like where Lisa is going here. If actors can publish children’s books, can’t we act? I’ll play Lisa and she can play me.
Ha! I agree
Sam Waterston (or perhaps a younger Tom Bosley) as Jerry Spinelli
Albert Finney (with a beard, natch) as Gary Paulsen
Larry David as Louis Sachar
Thanks, Erica – some fine suggestions here!
HA! I’m flattered by all of the recommendations. Like Travis, I too was called Paul Pfiefer. (Until this other kid joined our class later in the year.) And I was also called White Urkel, but that was by my family. (I had it rough: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1036613510539&set=a.1908537628097.107097.1081517815&type=3&theater )
I would just like to point out that Jarrett’s comment and link is the best thing of all time.
That is all.
Jarrett’s TED talk was amazing! I have been social media-izing it like crazy! Jarrett, can I get you into my school for school author visit also? We are in Newton, MA.
Kevin Spacey must play R. L. Stine. And, only Colin Farrel could play Oliver Jeffers.
Thanks so much, Pragmatic! I’d be psyched to visit your school! All of the info for my presentations is at http://www.studiojjk.com/schoolvisits.html
Logan Lerman can play Ned Vizzini!
John Krasinski as John Green, and a younger Sean Hayes as Jon Klassen