Book to Film: Three Novels Ripe for the Big Screen

By Dan Simmons

A science fiction Hugo award winner and classic, this novel could be a great platform for a truly engaging movie. Overly simplified, the book is set in humanity's far-future, and the story follows an eclectic group of people who are charged with saving the universe. They form an unlikely band of pilgrims, journeying to the world Hyperion, each to ask a wish from the Shrike, a mysterious and incredibly deadly killing machine in the form of a multi-armed, metal, human-like "machine" sent back from the future for unknown purposes. The universe is also threatening by "Outsters", semi-human "interstellar barbarians" and the TechnoCore, made up of sentient groups of artificially intelligent members. Although the story is complex, it's translation to the big screen could provide stunning visual effects, time-tested human relationships, and the action/adventure of a great science fiction tale.

My casting suggestions:

Father Leonard Hoyt: Emile Hirsch
Father Paul Dure: Michael Caine
Colonel Fedmahn Kassad: Khalid Abdalla
Martin Silenus: Jack Nicolson
Sol Weintraub: Ben Kingsley
Het Masteen: John Cho
Brawne Lamia: Summer Glau
The Consul: Robert Downey, Jr.
CEO Meina Gladstone: Judy Dench
Moneta: Scarlett Johansson
John Keats: Paul Bettany
Director: Josh Whedon

Odd Thomas

By Dean Koontz

A young man, Odd Thomas, works as a fry cook in the small desert town of Pico Mundo, California. He is able to see spirits of the dead, along with other paranormal abilities. Odd and his girlfriend Stormy seek the aid of friends to help prevent a mass murder that Odd believes will happen in a day's time.

My casting suggestions:

Odd Thomas: Shia LaBeouf
Elvis Presley: Rene van der Veen
Bronwen "Stormy" Llewellyn: Emma Stone
Little Ozzie: John Goodman
Chief Wyatt Porter: Nathan Fillion
Robert Thomas "Fungus Man" Robertson: Steve Buscemi
Director: M. Night Shyamalan

The Negotiator:

The O'Malley Series: Book 1

By Dee Henderson

A gem in Christian-base fiction, this novel is the first in a series of six books that follow the O'Malley family, a group of former orphans who have banded together to form an inspiring unit of brothers and sisters. This first book showcases Kate O'Malley, the oldest sister, who is a hostage negotiator who falls in love with an FBI agent. The story is fast-based and has rich characters, including Kate's five sisters and brothers who stand up for each other in action-packed and dangerous situations.

Kate O'Malley: Diane Lane
Dave Richman: Greg Kinnear
Marcus O'Malley: Mark Valley
Lisa O'Malley: Anna Torv
Jack O'Malley: Chris Pine
Rachel O'Malley: Katherine Heigl
Stephen O'Malley: Neil Mather
Director: Alex Kendrick