But here's something really important I want to say: I love Torn. I think it might be the best book I've ever written (thus far). Really.
But that's not that important part. This is: I wrote the character of Oren in Torn for Michael Wincott on the very, very, very, very off-chance it'll be turned into a movie someday.
Whose Michael Wincott, you ask? Only the greatest, most underrated actor of our* generation! (*I don't know what generation I'm referring to with "our")
You may recall him as the gravelly voiced, long-haired actor in a number of films in the 90's. He played:
-the slimy producer in The Doors (1991)
-the evil right hand man to the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)
-the sinister explorer in 1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992)
-the evil minion to the Cardinal in The Three Musketeers (1993)
-the head villain Top Dollar in The Crow (1994)
-Juliette Lewis's vile new boyfriend in Strange Days (1995)
-the less-than-nice guy in Alien Resurrection (1997)
-the kidnapper in Along Came a Spider (2001)
-the villain of some kind in The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)
-the evilly spidery alien in Treasure Planet (2002) (voice)
Okay. I just looked up that whole list. He's never, ever played a nice guy, and I so dig that about him. Also, he's Canadian, and I'm into Canadia.
And in full disclosure, from 1991-1995, both Robin Hood: Prince of Theives and The Three Muskateers were my favorite movies. From 1996-2004, The Crow was my favorite movie, and to this day, I still count both The Crow and Strange Days in my top 50 movies.
Maybe Michael Wincott isn't the best actor out of any actor ever. But he is the all-time best villain,and he's so underrated, and he hasn't worked in awhile, and he'd be really, really, really good as Oren.
But here's to anybody who knows anybody in Hollywood - I'd sell the film rights for the entire Trylle Trilogy for next to nothing if you can secure Michael Wincott. I'm not even kidding about this.
I know that nobody wants to buy my book and turn into a movie. I'm not naive. But I am just saying, that if you do, I'm down for it.
If you're still not sure who Michael Wincott is, or just enjoying looking at him/listening to him, here's a fantastic clip from The Crow where Michael Wincott gives an monologue. (He comes in about 16 seconds). (Also - I'd rate the clip TV MA)
He sure does have a sexy voice, doesn't he? lol
ReplyDeleteWell, Amanda -- if you still read this bog -- it seems a lot of water passed under the bridge since you wrote this, and you HAVE sold your trilogy to the movies, and probably have quite a bit of clout now. (It's a remarkable story and I've passed it along to a lot of my writer friends.)
ReplyDeleteI have a friend, Laura, who maintains the only real fansite for Michael Wincott and I think you need to chat with her! (And vice versa: I have given her your name and links to your sites.) I'm a big fan of Michael Wincott as well, but Laura is the UBER-FAN and knows him personally, and I've love to link you guys up.
Just for the record: Michael HAS played a nice guy a few times. I think you'd enjoy the film "Gunshy" which also stars William Petersen (CSI) and Diane Lane (Secretariat). It's his largest role (as an adult) and he's very charming in this film, a good guy (basically) and he gets a nice romance in it as well. (Hair not long, unfortunately, but you can't have it all.)
I agree his voice would be pretty wonderful for a troll!
I'll also try to see that both Laura and Michael can read your Trylle series, though I myself have not (having just heard of you today in Salon.com's Laura Miller column, where she gave you a nice review).
I wish you luck in casting Michael in this part! His fans would dearly love to see him in a big role. He hasn't worked a great deal lately, but he WAS in a film called What Just Happened with Robert De Niro about a two years back, and about 4-5 years ago, a western called Seraphim Falls with Liam Neeson. If you have not seen those, you might wish to check them out.
@Laurel I actually own all the movies you mentioned. I thought he was fantastic in "Gunshy," and it was disappointing that the rest of the movie wasn't as good as he was. I love him in "What Just Happened" too. (Well, I love him in everything...)
ReplyDeleteI've been talking a lot to Terri (who's adapting the books into screenplays.) She started out by emailing me saying that she loved Michael Wincott for the role of Oren (which is the part I wrote for him, in the off chance it ever got turned into movies). So, I'm hoping that counts for something.
But I doubt I'll have much say in casting. It depends on what the production company and directors and all that want to go with, and of course, it depends on whether or not Michael Wincott would even want the part.
Yep. So that's my long ramble about I agree with you, and I wouldn't mind chatting with your friend Laura ;)