Michael Kardos’s "The Three-Day Affair"

Michael Kardos’s debut thriller The Three-Day Affair has received starred reviews from Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, and Publishers Weekly, which named it one of the best books of the fall. He’s originally from New Jersey and currently co-directs the creative writing program at Mississippi State University.

Here Kardos shares some ideas for the lead actors and director of an adaptation of The Three-Day Affair:

It all hinges on the recording-studio owner. It’s a small role, a few moments of levity in an otherwise very intense story, and just right for an actor needing a comeback—John Travolta would’ve been ideal, had his career not already been revived once with Pulp Fiction. So Travolta’s out.

Who’s in? Tim Allen—acting so eccentric and looking so grizzled that it isn’t until the closing credits that you smack yourself and say, “Wow, so that’s who that was.” (Kelsey Grammer would do in a pinch.)

The Three-Day Affair revolves around three college friends who kidnap a convenience store clerk and use the recording studio as their hideout. The guys need to play 30 but also look college-age in flashbacks from their Princeton days. Will Walker, the main character, has to be likeable but not too likeable, good-looking but not too good-looking. Adam Scott I think would be great. He’s so natural in Parks and Recreation, it never seems like he’s acting. Another choice would be Jason Segel, in a surprisingly dark role.

The convenience store clerk has to be unassuming but sharp. An unknown, ideally. If we go with a known, then it should probably be Hailee Steinfeld, who has, well, true grit. Elle Fanning might be even better. She was utterly believable in Super 8. Trouble is, she’s too young. But maybe the production will get stalled for a couple of years.

And the director? That’s a no-brainer: Christopher Nolan.

Learn more about the book and author at Michael Kardos's website.

Writers Read: Michael Kardos.

The Page 69 Test: The Three Day Affair.

--Marshal Zeringue