Stephen King names the best actor to play him in a biopic: “I don’t think Brad Pitt would do it”
He may have officially found fame as a writer, but surely Stephen King‘s position in cinematic history is already confirmed?
The novelist behind some of the greatest films of all time, as well as some truly awful ones, King has routinely accessed an avenue that can only be directing him to Hollywood legend status.
There have been dozens of his books and short stories that have been read, enjoyed and then turned into cinematic productions. There are some he has been involved in like Pet Sematary, which is just above the watermark of awful, and those h hasn’t been a part of like The Shining which is beloved by all except King himself.
So, with his position as legend all but confirmed, surely the moment will come when a lull in the production office of a gigantic studio will be scratching their heads for ideas and become, as they tend to be, unnaturally drawn to the idea of a biopic. A staple in the cinema world, movies about famous people are not only good box office returners but, if done correctly, also have a chance at making some headway at awards shows.
When selecting such a name and story to focus on, the usual criteria is that they have to be famous enough that everybody knows their name, enjoyable enough that they have a legion of fans willing to watch anything connected with them and interesting enough that there is actually at least a modicum of a story to tell. Stephen King ticks all of those boxes. So we can safely assume he will, in some part of the future, be put forward to be the subject of such a simple and commercially-driven attempt to make a movie.
If green lights show and a King biopic is underway, the novelist has an idea on who would be good to play him: “I would love to have a good-looking leading man, but I don’t think Brad Pitt would do it. He is a lot better-looking than me. I’m a little bit on the elderly side now, so I’d say maybe Christopher Lloyd or – who’s the guy in Twin Peaks, the main tall guy? Kyle MacLachlan.”
These are fairly good shouts. Lloyd would certainly allow for some dignified intensity, while MacLachlan possesses a similarly poised aura. The actors are perhaps an indicator of how King either perceives himself or would like to be perceived. But, for my money, there are a few others that could be picked.
Adam Driver has a gangly awkwardness that might work for king in his salad days, writing on the circuit, while Andrew Garfield could provide a similar edge with an added vulnerability. Welsh actor Matthew Rhys has a much underrated variation in his expression to make him, or perhaps Paul Dano, the perfect choice for King’s mid-1980s pomp.
But as King approaches his elder years, Bryan Cranston has enough gravitas and a brooding charm that might add some extra spice, perhaps only challenged by signing up John Lithgow to deliver yet another commanding performance. The writer has a range of ages and eras that would make casting a pretty fun task.
There is almost certainly a time in the future when someone is pitching a Stephen King movie, and if they do, they should just make sure King is out of the casting director’s chair.
