I'm really excited about my next audiobook, which comes out in the beginning of February!
I've done a lot of multicast projects in the past, but this will be my first solo production of a novel: Timeless: The Becoming of a Teenage Witch, by Jessa Lynn Pease Garrett. It's a really cute story, and I'm looking forward to helping Jessa bring it to a wider audience.
In honor of Timeless, Jessa and I have decided to put our heads together and share our dream casting ideas for a film version of the novel.
When I asked Jessa to do this casting with me, I told her that I actually picture Emlyn as a younger version of her! They both have gorgeous ginger hair and artistic inclinations, and Jessa also does Tarot readings. Plus, there’s something about the story that just feels incredibly personal to me, although maybe it’s just because I used to live in Savannah so I recognize most of the landmarks. As it turns out, I was on the right track:
"So, I initially started this book in high school, if you can believe it. I think I wrote about 150 pages before college and life happened. One day, I just picked it back up, rewrote the entire thing, and finished it. Even though most of the structure changed, the bones were the same. I wanted to be Emlyn, so I probably wrote a lot of myself into the character."
- Jessa Lynn Pease Garrett
We might play a little fast and loose with the timeline of our actors here - after all, Timeless is about a young witch with a talent for time manipulation, so I think it’s completely on-brand!
Without further ado, here are our fantasy line-ups to cast a film version of Timeless: The Becoming of a Teenage Witch:
Emlyn Finnerty-Perry
Jessa: Danielle Panabaker was definitely my high school pick. I saw her in Sky High as Layla and I really connected with her. I think a young Sophie Turner would do a good job as well, but I’m going to stick with my gut.
Grace: I think my pick would be Saoirse-Monica Jackson from Derry Girls (but with curly hair, of course). She’s really funny, and I think she could handle Emlyn’s physicality, like her clumsiness, really well.
Emily Duke
Jessa: Bear with me here, because this one is out of the box. Amy Schumer as a teenager. We said this was fantasy, and I really think she’d do a great job with some of Emily’s bold statements.
Grace: I can definitely see a young Amy Schumer as Emily! Though, I have to say for an alternate pick, I would cast Beanie Feldstein for sure. I think she could handle the attitude.
Quincy "Quinn" Malik
Jessa: In my high school days, Quinn was Chase Crawford from Gossip Girls. Nothing against Chase, but I’m going to pick Jack Reynor from Midsommar. I know he was a terrible character in that movie, but his acting was SO good. I think he looks the part (despite the crappy public domain photo I found), and he could really pull off the character.
Grace: I love this casting choice! If not him, then I would say Cory Monteith from Glee, may he rest in peace. Sweet faced boys, both of them.
Jessa: Craziness because he was my second pick! Great minds, right?
Grace: Absolutely!
Blaine Corwin
Jessa: I’m pulling from American Horror Story here, but I really think Finn Wittrock would make a good Blaine. l love what he’s done in AHS. He’s really flexible and he has this mysterious look that would go well (We’d have to age him down a bit).
Grace: I can see it. Alternately, would Joe Jonas be a crazy pick? I think he’s definitely got the look.
Jessa: I could definitely see Joe Jonas. Good pick!
Madam Marjorie
Jessa: Debbie Reynolds. Halloweentown kid all the way! Jessica Lange is a close second.
Grace: Lily Tomlin for me. Although, I'm a huge fan of Halloweentown as well! I think it’s just hard for me to picture Debbie Reynolds being crotchety, haha. Jessica Lange I can see.
Rhiannon Finnerty-Perry
Jessa: So, not a typical Hollywood actress. I’m pulling from Broadway more so, but Bernadette Peters. She’s already got the crazy, fire-red hair, and she brings so much energy to a role. It’s the kind of energy I picture for Rhiannon.
Grace: I think I would cast Amy Adams. She has great Chaotic Mom energy, a la Sunshine Cleaning.
Sam Perry
Jessa: The ultimate dad character for me has always been Dennis Quaid. I’m, once again, going to pick my high school version of the character here.
Grace: For me, it’s Luke Perry, hands down - I pictured him the entire time I was narrating! Probably because I was binge-watching Riverdale around the time I first read your book. Rest in peace, you beautiful man.
Well, that was fun. I hope you enjoyed our indulgence!
For those of you who have already read Timeless, do you agree with our casting choices? Or maybe you were picturing an entirely different look for these characters!
Either way, be sure to keep an eye out for Timeless: The Becoming of a Teenage Witch on Audible - this audiobook will be available to purchase beginning February 1, 2020.
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