Phillip DePoy's "A Prisoner in Malta"

Phillip DePoy is the director of the theatre program at Clayton State University and author of several novels, including The Drifter's Wheel, A Corpse's Nightmare, and December's Thorn.

Here DePoy dreamcasts an adaptation of A Prisoner in Malta, the first book in a new mystery series featuring Christopher Marlowe, Shakespeare's contemporary and Queen Elizabeth's man behind the throne:

Like most writers I know, I actually see the books as I’m writing them—kind of watching them happen and trying to capture it all in words, right? So I don’t really think of actors when I’m in the middle of the writing. I just see the characters as they appear. But once the book’s done it’s a lot of fun to talk with my wife about who should make the movie. Unfortunately, I like the Coen Brothers and Wes Anderson—Truffaut, for that matter. All of whom are entirely wrong for making a period movie about Christopher Marlowe. Plus, you know, Truffaut’s dead. Sure, the book’s got a lot of action. In fact, one review said “enough action for a summer movie; eat your heart out James Bond.” No kidding. It’s about a young playwright and brawler who finds himself employed by Queen Elizabeth I to solve a murder and save the Kingdom. So then we think, is there enough spectacle in the book to interest Peter Jackson? Maybe. So we start casting. Let’s see if we could get Antonio Banderas to play Dr. Lopez, the Queen’s physician and Marlowe’s mentor. Scarlett Johansson would be great as Frances, the adventuress and quasi-love interest. I say Bill Nighy plays Walsingham, the Queen’s spymaster. As to Marlowe himself: Eddie Redmayne? Orlando Bloom? And Benedict Cumberbatch has to play somebody, right? Also Mark Rylance should be in it. Now, at this point, I’m deciding that I ought to gather my actor friends and shoot this myself. My sister has horses, the Shakespeare Tavern has costumes, everybody knows stage combat. Get my beautiful and talented wife to write the screenplay. All we need is a backer! So, if you are reading this, and would like to see this movie…

Learn more about the book and author at Phillip DePoy's website.

The Page 69 Test: The Drifter's Wheel.

The Page 69 Test: A Corpse's Nightmare.

The Page 69 Test: December's Thorn.

My Book, The Movie: December's Thorn.

The Page 69 Test: A Prisoner in Malta.

--Marshal Zeringue