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The Cycler Series
The Cyler Series: What would you do if you woke up one day as a member of the opposite sex? For Jill McTeague, this is no hypothetical question. It’s real life!
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A while back, I hinted at a movie deal for Cycler. I’ve been holding off announcing it officially because, well, these things take time to iron out. Film contracts are long and tediously-detailed things. I’m happy to report now that I have optioned the film rights to producer, Don Murphy. Don has a distinguished track record, which includes Natural Born Killers, Permanent Midnight and the Transformers movies. Even more importantly, he completely gets Cycler and wants to bring it to cinematic life in a way that’s faithful to the book. Of course, the above will be made much easier given the fact that he’s using a screenplay I wrote. It’s not often that novelists write their own screenplays. Screenwriting and novel-writing are very different in a lot of ways. But I actually began my career as a screenwriter, and Cycler began its life as a screenplay. So, in a way, this movie deal completes the circle. The funny thing about adapting Cycler the novel into Cycler the screenplay was that I had to recall all the things I had purposely suppressed when I made the transition from screenwriter to novelist. To write novels, you have to paint the scene in great detail and place the story in the reader’s head. To write screenplays, you have to keep things sparse and leave room for the director. I had worked really hard to avoid writing novels that were too “cinematic.” As a result, my first draft of the Cycler screenplay was too “novelistic.” It was full of pointless voice over and excessive detail. But once I got back into the swing of things as a screenwriter, it all came back to me. And I’m really happy with the way it turned out. Now, the big question is: how on earth do we cast it? Do we cast one actor to play both Jack and Jill? Or do we cast two actors who resemble each other enough to pull it off? I know which way I’m leaning. What do you think? 19 Responses to “Who Plays Jack and Jill in the Cycler Movie?”Leave a Reply |
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I think you would cast them as 2people, twins would. that makes the most sence to me, they would (or should).
Especially after reading (Re)Cycler, I think one actress who can do both parts would be best. I suppose Anne Hathaway is too old for the role; I thought she was brilliant in the Shakespeare in the Park production of Twelfth Night last summer, and she can certainly handle the comedy and gender-switching.
One actor. I think two would make the gender aspect much less powerful. I’d like to see the audience sometimes in doubt about who/what they were watching.
Very interesting.
Well, I’ve only read Cycler but I’d say two actors. If it was just one actor, you have to figure out if its a guy in drag as a girl or a girl in drag as a guy. And from reading the book, it seems like Jack is really really a guy and Jill is really really a girl, there’s a difference between what each one looks like… they really are two different characters. I mean, Jill’s best friend falls for Jack (and more) and didn’t realize that it was Jill. Two actors.
I admit, I felt very strongly about using two actors, but I’m really interested by the arguments for one actor. I think the biggest problem with just one actor is that the characters are so wildly different. Hmm… More thinking to be done. Thanks, everyone, for the input.
Movie!!!!! NICE!
I agree about casting two actors. I think it would be cool if they were siblings, so that there would be just enough physical similarities to make the conection between Jack and Jill, but different enough to show the indivual traits of each one.
i agree about the two actors as well. you make it very clear in the book that there are distinct physical differences: height, shape, facial features. And this is what makes it interesting: there’s no ambiguity about the gender identity of each one. The only ambiguity is: are they the same person?
Having one actor would change the spirit of the film to something dissimilar to the book. Not that that wouldn’t be interesting too … cf. Tilda Swinton in Orlando.
i would say two as well…but would hope the boy would be pretty in a way that boys can sometimes be pretty – like those banana republic models.
i think two actors twins (one boy one girl) if possible
Ive read both books and i think that would be best
Thanks, ToxicKandi. Great handle. Twins would be perfect! Perhaps we should do a nation-wide talent search.
To the people suggesting a single actress : What happens when Jack needs to be shirtless? Lol.
Excellent point, Xu, ‘coz you know that dude will be going topless in this picture.
I think if this is suppose to actually come across you should just use one actor and if not very very similar twins.
I’m just saying this because there are teens that actually do this and don’t grab another person to be them for a day.
I know there are plenty of actresses that could be a very pretty girl and still pass as an attractive enough boy…hmm.. I’d say maybe Ellen page but she is really small… just someone like on the cover of the book that has a photo. Someone that has that under played model look … you know angrogynous, is gorgous but could go either way.
I’d think it’d made a hugh step if you could actually find an androgynous actor to play the part, and obviously could fit into the roll of Jack and Jill. It’d be difficult to find perhaps, but totally worth it.
Sp… yeah!
I agree Rachel RR. It would fantastic to find a single actor who could be equally convincing as Jack and Jill. So, whoever you are, dear actor/actress/actron, if you’re out there, let me know!
i think one actor or actress. for sure.
I think it should be twins…girls, though some very good and very apt for it cant fully grasp the concept of actually BEING a boy and i think that’s what ‘jack’ needs to do. plus how would they transform said girl INTO the guy? movie magic may be impressive but i dont think its THAT good.
also when IS this movie coming out?
I think that is what director Karyn Kusama is going to do with her “Invisible X” movie and have Rachel Weisz play both male and female roles. So that is one way to do the Jack/Jill transition. Just have to wait and see what the director will do.
I just have to wonder how the transformations will be handled. But best of luck in any regards.
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