Back Talk, the movie (i wish!!!)
After my last Poll Topic question (What Book Would You Like To See Made Into A Movie, and Who Would You Cast?) I suddenly realized something: I should have picked my own novel, Back Talk! Everyone who’s read it has told me what a good movie they think it would make—thank you sweet people, by the way!!!
Well, I won’t hold my breath on the call from Miramax, but if Back Talk were to be made into a movie, here are my casting thoughts. Since the girls are all supposed to be 16 or 17 I picked a few relative unknowns, but some will definitely look familiar. Here goes:
Gemma Winters is a sweet, naive, wide eyed gal from Ketchum, Idaho, and she’s about to hit The Big Apple for the first time ever. She has a dream internship at a popular daytime talk show, and she has a couple of rich, 
fabulous, celebutante friends to help get her acclimated. What could go wrong?!—plenty! But Gemma also manages to have the time of her life. Gemma is a slightly pudgy brunette with a big heart, loads of wit, and a keen determination to do good.
It’s tough to cast the lead role, but I remember Mae Whitman from one of my fave TV shows, Arrested Development (and several random movies). I think she’d be perfect. Innocent, but with a bit of an edge, and very pretty.
And watch out for Gemma’s best friend, Dana Cox, because this girl is T-R-O-U-B-L-E. She’s a total celebutante with money to burn and no conscience to go with it. She loves living la vida loca and she’s got a flair for the dramatic. Dana is studying to become an actress, and has the total Hollywood look—long legs, wild blonde hair, and tons of charisma. It was hard to find just the right girl for this, but I’m liking this actress, Lauren Storm. Don’t think I’ve ever actually seen her in anything, but maybe Back Talk (the movie) can be her “big break.”
The last leading character is the impeccable, lovely America Vanderbilt. America is a world weary heiress with class coming out of her pores. At first glance, she can be more than a little intimidating, but once you chip away at that icy exterior, America is a loving, caring friend, with more than a platinum card for a heart.I’ve always imagined America as a very delicate, fawn-like brunette. She is the most sophisticated of the three, but also insecure. I had a hard time casting her for my imaginary movie, but finally chose Willa Holland—which coincidentally is very appropriate because in the book, I describe America “like Mischa Barton, though America wasn’t out of control like Marissa on The O.C.” (I know, referencing a canceled TV show was a gamble!)
As for the other characters…
There’s Nick, the sexy bad boy from the office. He’s mega hot but turns out to be a total jerk. I was thinking Sean Faris, from Sleepover. Nothin’ wrong with a little eye candy—even if he is bad news!
Next up, Gemma’s real love interest: the cute British guy, Joe Cross. At first I thought I’d have to go with Ron Weasley, but then I remembered Jamie Bell from Billy Elliot). He’s so cute. I think he’d be perfect to play the sensitive, English musician/DJ that steals Gemma’s heart! …or maybe one of the guys from Arctic Monkeys. They’re cute and British, right?
The role of Kate Morgan (host of the hit show, Back Talk) would probably be played by an unknown, but think Oprah + Annette Benning, or something.
And Maria and Anita Cruz, the bratty, conniving twins. Well, they’re supposed to be Hispanic, but I think I’d have to get The Olsen twins to do it. They’d just be so good.
Thanks for letting me indulge in a little fantasy casting. That was fun.
October 6th, 2007 at 5:37 pm
haha i love your cast! i remember mae whitman from that old ABC family show, Saving Grace - I loved that show and now its off air
and i dont even think its on DVD either…anyways I LOVE sean ferris too 
October 6th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
what made you choose ketchum,idaho? have you been there? i live in boise and i moved here from nyc so its kind of odd. just curious.
October 7th, 2007 at 2:29 am
Kai– I’ve never been to Idaho, actually. Hah! At first I wanted Gemma to be from Burley, Idaho. That’s my best friend’s home town, so I added that in for her, as like, an inside joke. But as the story developed, I realized I needed her live closer to Sun Valley, ID, where the celeb ski resort is. Thanks for asking!
How do you like Boisy, BTW?
October 7th, 2007 at 10:47 am
Those are GENIUS casting choices! Where did you even find Dana? I’m trying to imagine the combo of O and Annette, but I think I like it. We seriously need to find a way for this movie to be made soon before all those girls get too old! Hmmm…project!
October 7th, 2007 at 11:33 am
genius. I want to see this film made, pronto! Maybe you and the hubs can do it yourself, you know divert away from horror for a bit. ha.
October 7th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
oh cute cast u’ve chosen!.. this is way hotter than gossip girl!..
cya,
molly g.*
October 7th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
those casting choices are perfect! jamie bell is sooo cute
October 7th, 2007 at 9:56 pm
haha love the fantasy casting! great job. oh yeah btw did i tell you that i bought the book, read it and LOVED it! ncie job, it is so cool to read your blog and then turn right over and read your book!
October 8th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
I think Sean Faris is a hottie! Sleepover is in my movie collection, too. I haven’t seen him anything since that movie, though. I think it’s interesting when people do this. I know a few other authors on my blogroll have done the who-would-I-get-to-play-my-characters thing. I would have no idea for my first two, but it would be pretty easy for the YA series, because I modeled Draven’s friends after a couple of actors on one of my fav shows back in the day.
October 8th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
JAMIE BELL IS MY LIFE.
October 8th, 2007 at 4:41 pm
oooh! love the picks. but i’d have to disagree with sean faris. but i cannot think of anyone else to fill his role!
October 9th, 2007 at 12:36 am
That is a good cast of people for your movie. I agree with all of them. Back Talk would be a very good movie. I think you should crank the drama up a bit for the movie and that’ll be great!
October 9th, 2007 at 12:59 am
Lol, I saw Ron Weasley and asked myself, the guy from Harry Potter? I’m about 1/3 of the way through your book, and there is nothing Harry Potterish about it at all!
Ketchum, Idaho is perfect. It’s still a small town with lots of locals, and it’s a long way from NYC.
October 9th, 2007 at 8:29 am
Ohh such fantastic choices girl!
October 9th, 2007 at 8:29 am
I pictured Annette Benning as Kate Morgan and the Olsen twins too….
seriously you book should be made into a movie or a new CW show, it could be in the same night as Gossip Girl and ANTM….
how hot would that be?
October 9th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
i would definitely overpay a theatre to see that!
October 9th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
I have to steal Arwen’s thunder here.
We found the book at Indigo.
She read it.
And I’m going to borrow it.
Back Talk is back in the picture!
October 9th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
I’m loving your book, loving Gemma! After I finish reading it I’ll tell you about it!
October 9th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
Oprah + Annette Benning?! I don’t know whether I’m excited or horrified. In any case, I’d pay top dollar to see a love child between the two.
October 9th, 2007 at 9:35 pm
willa holland was such a good actress in the OC!
I still have to buy back talk, I will soon I want it!
October 9th, 2007 at 11:06 pm
Excellent! I think I need to purchase this book… And see the movie! Let us know when it’s released, yes?
October 10th, 2007 at 5:46 pm
I LOVE fANTASY CASTING!!! Great choices,and I gotta grab your book before the fam road trip to Marfa,that we are planning!
Oh ,and in terms of books into movies…my number 1 choice would have to be FLB’s Weetsie Bat !
October 11th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
YES be my facebook buddy!
search Molly G in the Vancouver, BC network
or if theres too many
find the group The Official Rick Schmidlin Fan Club
I’m one of the officers!
October 11th, 2007 at 4:24 pm
Sean Faris is amazingly cute, I was batty about him on Life As We Know It. Shame that got cancelled….
And I would’ve cast Richard Ashcrift as Joe in a flash if he’d been about ten years younger…but Jamie Bell is sweet. Billy Elliott will always be one of my favourite movies thanks to the ballet, the soundtrack and him.
October 11th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Ooops, I meant Richard Ascroft…my bad.
October 11th, 2007 at 9:45 pm
well, going from nyc to boise is quite a change. less culture and less glamour. but its beautiful and i see why people come here. ketchum is gorgeous and sun valley is as well.
October 13th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Sean Faris! HOLY COW! WHAT A GOOD-LOOKING DEVIL!
October 17th, 2007 at 8:19 am
You’re welcome! Sure I’ll trade links with you =]