I’m really excited for my friend Alan Paul. Alan is the author of Big in China, a chronicle of his three and a half years in China with his wife and family in support of her career; while he was there he started a Chinese/American blues band which became, you guessed it, big. In China.
He was a guest blogger for me about a year ago, and I just saw this interview with him on the website Asian Jewish Life. My favorite quote: “I had an option to take a few years off from religion and I found that I really did not want to. I had a profound sense of just how tiny of a minority we are in the world, as well.”
The book has been optioned as a movie, to be directed by Ivan Reitman, and although Alan says he has no preferences as to who plays him, I do: I vote for James Marsden. He has the singing chops, and – to me – the same laid back, great-guy-to-have-a-beer-with vibe that Alan brings to a room. And yes, there’s enough of a resemblance:
Alan
James
Anyone who know them have any ideas of other actors? Anyone for Rebecca?
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I don’t know who that James person is but he’s too young and shagetz looking for my taste. We’ve talked to Alan about it and had some ideas. I wish I could remember some of the names. I don’t think he was on the list, but Jeremy Piven wouldn’t be too far off, imo.
Some others who come to mind for various reasons:
Billy Crudup
Jason Bateman
Paul Rudd (was on the list discussed with Alan)
Mark Ruffalo
Jon Benjamin
Joshua, that James person is a VERY versatile actor (X Men, 27 Dresses), and has sung in some movies (Enchanted, Hairspray). I’d love Jason, Paul, or Mark, but can they sing? And I just looked it up, he was born in ’73 which puts him dead-on to be Alan’s age in the time of China.
What about actresses for Rebecca?
Holy smokes. How did I miss this? Thanks Alia. I really don’t know much about James Marsden, but I will explore. He looks ok to me.
Can he do this?
Hey, the video did not embed.. trying again:
Nope.. Oh well. Here’s a link:
http://bit.ly/wtOnW3
Jason has played a musician (Juno) and can sing. Paul is a theater geek and can sing. No clue on Ruffalo, he just seems like a good fit personality-wise.
As for Rebecca, someone like Ione Skye comes to mind, though she doesn’t really work anymore. Annabeth Gish? Lily Taylor? I’m sensing a theme and that wasn’t my intention, lol.
You’ve been watching too many 80s movies, perhaps? I’m thinking Leslie Mann, Malin Ackerman, or Jennifer Westfeldt (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0922724/)…
Westfeldt does have experience playing an editor (KJS)!