Leading Actors of Choice for an Intellectual Drama

Whether the actor plays the protagonist or antagonist, it is in the eyes, look at the character in the eyes.
Author’s often get asked who would be the leading choice of actors if their book(s) would be made into a movie or play?
With such an abundance of talent in the world, who would you choose?

I was asked this question some time ago, and my answer was the same then as it is now. Granted, you may find some of them in a hiatus status.

Allow me to describe the environment for the type of intellectual drama I am envisioning. Yes, there are a few physical confrontation action scenes in a military setting, but the drama focuses on the battles within the mind. The drama would include rural and urban settings. Here is a very important point. The actors have the ability to help us focus on the content of character and not on the race or color of skin. Does this seem like a tall order to fill? This is why actors like the two chosen have been selected for this very purpose.

It is the culture and background in the story line that allows readers of any national background to identify with the characters. In fact, it is not a national but really an international situation the protagonist and antagonist are in! Hence, the leading actors and actresses that I choose are ones that display an ability to cause people to forget about the color of one’s skin. Yes, the focus would be on the characters mindset and motivations.

Therefore, my response to the question, “Who would be your leading choice of actors if your book(s) would be made into a movie or play?”

Answer:

1) Will Smith The Pursuit of Happyness

2) Clint Eastwood

These actors know their craft. “The Pursuit of Happyness” is Will Smith’s finest work. You do not have to see every single movie he has made in order to gauge his acting skills. This movie alone shows he possess the ability to carry out what is needed in any screenplay. Put it this way, he would not be an option as the lead character. MANDATORY is the word.

Clint Eastwood. Fist Full of Dollars

Here is a small clip that shows the antagonist along with his gang of bullies reaction to the “man with no name” returning out of the ashes and smoke. Look at their eyes. The acting is in the eyes. Then look at Clint’s character. You are not able to see his face in this scene. The focus is on the body language. Even though he is able to show the best of eye squinting in his portrayed characters, which tells you how the protagonist feels with words unuttered; this scene clip shows the body language involved in Clint Eastwood’s acting even from afar. Notice how the bullies react to his return as one with the look on his face prepares to hide. While the others scurry together in order to get their courage and strength back through the numbers.

Just like Will Smith, Clint Eastwood would normally not be an option, but our bodies tell us when it is time to slow down. This even includes things we enjoy.

I have other actors and actresses, according to my lighthearted opinion, who would make great protagonists and antagonists in an intellectual drama. Maybe I will share more at a future date of such ones. It all depends on how you like this introductory book. Just imagine having Denzel Washington playing a major role. What an antagonist Gene Hackman would make. You have seen them before. What do you think of their acting skills?
Yes, to have a strong cast even the supporting characters in the story require actoractresses who could put on the mantle of such diverse personalities. This is just a sample of how to outline a cast of characters for screenplay. It is so much easier for a director to visualize a story, do you agree?

Closing Notes: Actors play in all ratings of films. Not all such films would suit the public’s taste. There are some television versions people may say are cleaned up. Just because there is no raw language or graphic violence shown here, does not mean they are not in some of their films. Viewers should know this is not an endorsement of such movies for all ages. It is to show that the actors mentioned have the ability to carry a scene, and in effect, carry out the intellectual drama found in shows the whole family can sit down together today. Such ability does not require intense pejorative language for the series to be a hit. I believe all these actors can make their point without the use of certain language.