Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Jeremy K. Brown & Christopher Mari's "Ocean of Storms"

Jeremy K. Brown has authored several biographies for young readers, including books on Stevie Wonder and Ursula K. Le Guin. He has also contributed articles to numerous magazines and newspapers, including special issues for TV Guide and the Discovery Channel, and recently edited a collector’s issue on Pink Floyd for Newsweek. Brown published his first novel, Calling Off Christmas, in 2011 and is currently at work on another novel. He lives in New York with his wife and sons.

Brown's new book, with Christopher Mari, is Ocean of Storms. Here Brown dreamcasts an adaptation of the novel:
When writing Ocean of Storms, Chris and I couldn’t help but think cinematically. From the worldwide devastation that opens the book to the incredible discoveries on (and beneath) the Moon’s surface, we were always imagining the visual impact each scene would have. So, naturally, we also imagined certain actors bringing our characters to life. Here’s what we came up with. So, if Christopher Nolan, Roland Emmerich or Duncan Jones, if you’re reading this, we’ve done the work for you!

Alan Donovan
Played By: Chris Pratt

Donovan needs to be played by the kind of actor who can blend scientific know-how with charisma and attitude. From training Raptors to cruising the galaxy with his fellow Guardians, Pratt has proved that, even in the most fantastical environs, he can keep his feet on the ground.

Elias Zell
Played By: Sean Connery

When we were writing the book, the only person we had in mind was Sean Connery. Specifically the Connery of the 80s and early 90s when he was playing either the wise mentor (The Untouchables) or eccentric adventurers (Medicine Man). Sadly, Connery is retired and unable to be lured back to acting. Gerard Butler or Daniel Craig could do wonders with the role, but in our minds, it will always be Connery’s to lose.

Anthony Benevisto
Played By: Frank Sinatra

We’ve racked our brains trying to think of who could embody Benny’s wit, sarcasm and hotheadedness as perfectly as Frank did in From Here to Eternity and The Manchurian Candidate. If you want to know whose voice we heard when writing Benny’s dialogue, Pvt. Angelo Maggio was it!

Moose
Played By: Channing Tatum

Moose is a noble, honorable character who’s not afraid to make the sacrifice play for his teammates if the mission calls for it. Plus, he’s able to trade barbs with Benny, giving as good as he gets. Who else but C Tates could bring all that to life onscreen and make it look easy?

Wilson
Played By: Michael C. Jordan

Jordan has had an incredible and diverse career, from Friday Night Lights to Fruitvale Station to sparring with Stallone in Creed. We have no doubt he could bring everything he’s poured into those roles and a whole lot more in bringing Wilson to life.

Soong
Played By: Zhang Ziyi

Zhang is one of China’s most bankable actresses and has proven that she can hold her own in dramatic fare (Memoirs of a Geisha) and hard-hitting action (Hero, House of Flying Daggers). Soong is a strong, fearless scientist who remains unintimidated by her brash teammates and unfazed by the events that unfold around her. Zhang undoubtedly would take those qualities and make them shine.

Cal Walker
Played By: Arnold Schwarzenegger

As kids growing up in the 80s, we believed Arnold could do no wrong. We waited for every one of his films with the kind of anticipation usually reserved for Christmas morning. So, with that in mind, having Arnold in the movie adaptation of Ocean of Storms would feel something like kismet. Besides, he could easily convey Walker’s sense of menace and gravitas, bringing all the heft and weight he carried as the Governator to the role. And, with Walker’s interest in genetic perfection, who better than Mr. Olympia to make it all that much more believable?
Learn more about Ocean of Storms at the publisher's website.

--Marshal Zeringue