Emma Barry's "Bad Reputation"

Emma Barry is a novelist, college lecturer, and former political staffer. She lives with her high school sweetheart and a menagerie of pets and children in Virginia, where she occasionally finds time to read and write.

Here Barry dreamcasts an adaptation of her new novel, Bad Reputation:

Cole James’s reputation as Hollywood’s favorite himbo no longer suits him. His fans can’t separate the real man from the character he played on a soapy teen drama decades ago. But that’s going to change with Waverley, the hit streaming historical romance series.

Maggie Niven hates her own notoriety. Fired for directing a divisive play, Maggie takes her fight against censorship public. When Hollywood comes calling, she becomes the new intimacy coordinator for Waverley. But it’s harder than she imagined to focus on the job.

Cole isn’t what she expected—and Maggie is more than he dreamed of. As filming gets underway, the cast’s old traumas lead to real intimacy, and Cole and Maggie struggle with feelings they shouldn’t have. Having an affair on set could destroy his comeback and her new career. Falling in love would ruin everything.

So is there a Hollywood ending in store for them?

(Folks, it’s a romance. You do the math.)

I have to admit that I don’t normally fancast my books, but with Bad Reputation, I had to. It’s a book about making a television show for crying out loud! You better believe I have a cast list ready to go.

Cole has the soul of a Boy Scout or an elementary school crossing guard. Sure, he’s blond, muscular, and hot, but you have to like him, not just lust after him. I’d cast Chris Pine, largely based on the energy he brought to Wonder Woman 1984. That scene when he confuses the trash can with a work of art pretty much inspired the book.

Maggie is a former high school teacher who’s smart, quick talking, and just a little sarcastic and self-deprecating. The actor I had in mind was Anna Kendrick. I find her a lot of fun to watch, because even when she’s being tart, she’s always a touch vulnerable. That’s very much Maggie’s vibe.

There are two secondary romances in this book: one between Cole’s co-star and best friend, Tasha, who finally admits that she’s in love with Cole’s long-time stand-in and stuntman, Ryan. The other finds two journalists exposing a Hollywood predator (they end up in a “there’s only one cottage” situation, or at least that’s how it plays out in my head). I’d cast Florence Pugh and Glen Powell as Tasha and Ryan, and Danielle Galligan and Mark Ruffalo as Libby and Jack.

Waverley’s showrunner, Zoya, should be played by Adria Arjona, and Maggie’s best friend can be Billie Lourd.

Seriously, call me, Hollywood. I’ve done all the hard work for you.

Visit Emma Barry's website.

--Marshal Zeringue