Unutterably Silly Casting Call: Actors and actresses needed for upcoming production of “Verdant Skies”

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Right Brane Productions, a subsidiary of Right Brane ePublications, in partnership with Onuissance films, is in pre-production on the movie “Verdant Skies,” based on the soon-to-be-released novel by Steve Jordan. We are seeking suggestions for actors to play the principal and supporting characters, based on the characters’ descriptions and roles in the story.

Thanks to computer graphic technology, we are capable of using actors now dead, or at different stages of their careers (with permission from their estates, of course), so take this into account as you select your actors. Also, money is no object, since they will be paid in stock options based on DVD distribution after the theatrical release pending foreign re-release and pay-per-view optioning of the movie, based on current international rates and renumerations authorized by the Grand Duchy of Fenwick. Finally, although certain nationalities are suggested, if you feel a particular actor or actress would be suited for the role despite a difference in nationality, feel free to suggest them.

Also, feel free to include photos of your choices.

The plot blurb, for reference:

The four giant satellites in Earth orbit were considered oases for humanity, the first of the habitats humans would move to and escape the growing environmental pressures and hazards of living on the ground.

But when a volcanic eruption threatens to finally ruin the already-collapsing ecosystem, the remaining peoples of Earth demand access to the satellites, and threaten to overwhelm them, thereby dooming all of humanity.

And as the satellites are under siege from below, a desperate gamble for the survival of the satellite Verdant is taken...

The principal characters are:

• Julian Lenz: CEO (chief executive officer) of the satellite Verdant. Strong, quiet type, in his early sixties. Last name suggests a Slavic ancestry, but he was born and raised in U.S.. Reasonably healthy for his age, ruggedly handsome, intelligent, respected leader.
• Reya Luis: EO (executive officer) of the satellite Verdant. Noticeably smaller in build than Julian Lenz, a Latina from a large extended family. Pretty and athletic, with a personality that is controlled fire and wry sense of humor. Capable of running Verdant on her own, and no one you would want to tangle with.
• Aaron Hardy: COO (chief operations officer) of Verdant. Nice guy, but a bit wishy-washy and soft. Average European looks… not leading-man type. Highly intelligent and capable in his job, but not good with people.
• Dr. Calvin Rios: Mathematician, former star of a science-based TV show, writer of articles and now Verdant science advisor. Swiss descent (despite Spanish name), Euro-model good looks, now somewhere in his forties. He likes his work, light as it is, and he loves his family.
• Dr. Jacqueline Silver: Head of Verdant sciences departments, answers to Aaron Hardy. Strong Native American, trim figure and attractive eyes. Incredibly intelligent and observant, quiet and generally cold, but capable of excitement when challenged scientifically.
• Dr. Valeria Epstein: Mathematician in Dr. Silver’s sciences section. She and Dr. Rios went to school together, and have been collaborators before. Also a bit of attraction between them, though since Calvin is married, they have never acted on it. European of Jewish descent, attractive. Likes to date geeks, but very dedicated and efficient at work.
• Gaston Lambert: President of the U.S.. American-born of French descent, smart, attractive, healthy, single, and popular. He wants to retire on Verdant, even if it means taking over the independent satellite.
• Enu Thompson: U.S. Chief of Staff to the President. Strong African features, can look fierce when he is angry. His goal is power, and one of his traits is to use that power to ply sexual favors out of the Presidential staff and interns. Despite his sexual urges, he is an excellent CoS, dedicated to Lambert and to the U.S..
• Kris Fawkes: U.S. Ambassador to Verdant on paper; in fact, she is sent to spy on Verdant command to find anything that can be used as leverage against them. Egyptian in appearance, tall, trim, and slim-sexy figure. Intelligent and alluring, and with the incredible ability to read people like a book. Offering herself is part of a spy’s job, and she is good at what she does. But she has scruples, and knows when she is on the wrong side.
• Shay Vaughn: Employed by a shipping company, Lusterne Freight, to lobby politicos and other leaders by providing sexual favors as required… for the duration of the story, she is assigned to President Lambert, whom she has been with before. American of African-European descent, beautiful, voluptuous and hard to resist. Supposedly she has been around the world, and tried almost everything sexual there is to be tried. An opportunist, but not stupid… possibly even dangerous.
• Roy Grand: Captain of the freighter Makalu, owned by Lusterne Freight. A burly man of African descent, ruggedly handsome, intelligent (though prone to a disarmingly casual air), friendly and respected by his crew.
• Anise Lenz: Julian Lenz’s daughter, employed as a freighter pilot on hire to one of Verdant’s principal shipping contractors. Pretty and popular, in her early thirties, devoted to her father.

The supporting characters are:

• Lt. "Hunter" Reilly: Wasp fighter pilot for Verdant. By-the-book officer, but also with a snide sense of humor, and a fantastic pilot.
• Lt. Goldie Maina: Wasp fighter pilot for Verdant, and Hunter’s partner. Calm and collected, but every bit as good in a fight as Hunter.
• Lin Sen Chiu: Dr. Silver’s assistant. Not a scientist, he’s purely a bureaucrat, but good at his job, and devoted to Dr. Silver. Chinese descent, a small man, soft-looking, not particularly attractive.
• Maria Rios: Dr. Calvin Rios’ wife. A loving wife and mother, she has lately developed a severe longing for Earth, but as it once was… not as global warming has left it today. Although Calvin still loves her, her attitudes about visiting places on Earth that are no longer the nice places they once were, is beginning to unnerve him.
• Erin Rios: Calvin and Maria’s daughter. Loves camping in Verdant’s greenspaces, and like Calvin (and most kids her age), she also cannot understand her mother’s fascination with Earth when Verdant has so much going for it.
• Walter Gordon: CEO of Lusterne freight. He wants to live on Verdant, but cannot swing a passport to the immigration-restricted satellite, so he uses what political power he can to get his way, including blackmail, bribery and his employees’ sexual favors. A selfish jerk and a pain of a boss… stereotypical Ugly American.
• Lemuel Carter: Captain of a passenger liner docked on board Verdant. A regular to Verdant, he knows Reya Luis well, and makes no bones about his attraction to her. A handsome and friendly West Indian.
• Col. Emily Stearns: Commander of Aerospace Force One. A dedicated, serious officer that resents being ordered around by Verdant’s staff during the crisis. She tries to take aggressive steps to secure Verdant for the U.S..
• GLIS (Governing Logistics Intelligence System): The voice of Verdant’s omni-present computer system; naturally efficient, emotionless and opinionless. No personality in evidence, this is just a machine doing its job.
• “Surprise bad guy”: This character, cast only as a male of middle age, will appear near the end of the story and have a hand in advancing the plot to its final climax. Casting is wide open on this one, so be creative!

When casting is considered to be accomplished, the final cast of players will be listed for your perusal. Let the casting begin!

[Nate the great]

Ooh! Ooh! I want to play Kris Fawkes! I know she's a woman and I'm not, but this would be a great opportunity for me to play against type.

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by Nate the great

Ooh! Ooh! I want to play Kris Fawkes! I know she's a woman and I'm not, but this would be a great opportunity for me to play against type.

I'll pass that on to the casting director. Be prepared for a casting couch call!

[DixieGal]

Steve! You finally returned to the Llounge! I thought you would never escape the Writers' Corner!

Surprise Bad Guy: Sideshow Bob

[DixieGal]

May I please be Goldie Mania?

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

All that DRM arguing can be distracting on a body.

Hmm... I was expecting submissions of established actors. I'll have to talk to the casting director, to make sure they're okay with (ahem) unknown talents...

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

All that DRM arguing can be distracting on a body.

Hmm... I was expecting submissions of established actors. I'll have to talk to the casting director, to make sure they're okay with unknown (ahem) talents...

Fixed that for you. Funnier this way.

[LazyScot]

• Julian Lenz: Jean Reno
• Reya Luis: Penelope Cruz
• Aaron Hardy: Alan Cummings
• Dr. Calvin Rios: Roger Livesey
• Dr. Jacqueline Silver: Audrey Hepburn
• Dr. Valeria Epstein: Daniela Nardini (must remember not to drool....)
• Gaston Lambert: Christopher Lambert, of course!
• Enu Thompson: Dule Hill
• Kris Fawkes: Natalie Portman
• Shay Vaughn: Thandie Newton
• Roy Grand: Laurence Fishburne
• Anise Lenz: Kate Beckinsale

The supporting characters are:

• (hmmm... let me think about some more classic actors, but...)
  
• “Surprise bad guy”: Either Charles Laughton or Robbie Coltrane.

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Scot, I lourve your list! There are some greats in there!

[RWood]

If you are offering unknows (i.e.: us) a chance, I would be interested in GLIS (Governing Logistics Intelligence System) or if you feel my personality is leaking out too much, then perhaps “Surprise bad guy.”

GLIS does have the advantage that I can just phone it in.

[dreams]

Dr. Jacqueline Silver: Head of Verdant sciences departments, answers to Aaron Hardy. Strong Native American, trim figure and attractive eyes. Incredibly intelligent and observant, quiet and generally cold, but capable of excitement when challenged scientifically.

* Angelina Jolie

or...

* Julia Jones ?

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

The casting guys over at Plastique Talent Agency (PTA) likes Julia over Angelina, because the role is supposed to be a light one until later in the story. Nice call!

[LazyScot]

• Lt. "Hunter" Reilly: Louise Brookes
• Lt. Goldie Maina: Brigette Helm
• GLIS (Governing Logistics Intelligence System): Peter Tuddenham or whoever provide the voice of S.I.D. in UFO.

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by LazyScot

• Lt. "Hunter" Reilly: Louise Brookes
• Lt. Goldie Maina: Brigette Helm
• GLIS (Governing Logistics Intelligence System): Peter Tuddenham or whoever provide the voice of S.I.D. in UFO.

Interesting: Hunter's character, as written, is male; but there's no reason it couldn't be female, like Goldie. Passing that on to the PTA.

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Hmm... I was hoping for more of a response so far. I may have to open up the casting possibilities to animated characters next.

Let's see: Daffy Duck is very versatile...