Well, evidently there was an article in yesterday’s New York Times, regarding (among other things) the possibility of Katherine Heigl playing Claire in a film version of OUTLANDER. It’s not like there haven’t been all kinds of rumors about everything you could imagine, over the last ten years or so–but this seems to have stirred up a lot of folk, many of whom asked me to post something on the matter.
Had a quick glance at several assorted articles on the subject (to which folk have been sending me links). All of said articles contain the usual amount of careless inaccuracy that you usually see. You really shouldn’t get excited about any details mentioned in that sort of piece–like “Scottish heroine,” for instance.
That said, I haven’t ever seen Ms. Heigl act, but would certainly extend her the courtesy of waiting to see.
If they ever do a movie, I only hope that they cast virtual unknowns in the parts. They need someone who can become Jamie and Claire because they haven't been anyone else. It worked with The Twilight stuff, and that's not nearly as well done as the Outlander books.
Silly me, went and posted my thoughts before reading any of the others. I whole heartly think a series on HBO or anyother channel for that matter is a wonderfull idea. That way the entire story could be told instead of cutting it up for a movie. Every part of the book is too important to have cut out.
Diana,
I read an earlier post that you think the series will be done once Claire and Jamies story is told. I really hope it's not, I think you could branch off on any of the charaters and tell their stories like you are for LJG. I think I remember something being said about writting a story about Jamies folks, I could see you doing stories on the MacKenzie uncles, Fergus, Roger's step father, any of Jenny and Ian's children, Jamies Fraser uncles, and so on. There are a lot of places in the series where Fergus isn't mentioned but you know he's up to something, it's just how he is. Please don't stop with Jamie and Claire, their family they have created is part of ours too.
Hollie
I think Kevin McKidd is a lovely man and a fine actor. He's also twenty years (at least) too old to play Jamie, just like most of the actors people suggest to me.
Kind of the difficulty, isn't it? If a guy's been around long enough to be established and have people recognize and like him…he's too old to play a 22-year-old virgin, I'm sorry.
And if you _do_ have a young guy who could do that–he's almost certainly going to be someone with so little visibility that no one recognizes or (immediately) likes him.
But, you know, casting unknowns worked for Twilight … and was cheaper. In Titanic, the leads weren't household names either. Outlander already has a massive following. If the movie (or miniseries) is marketed the right way it could be highly successful, too. Just, please, DO NOT cast Heigl. She's a deal breaker for a lot of people, including me. Just having her name attached to Outlander has stained something I love so much. It's so depressing.
Can please somebody enlighten me as to the which will be the story of "Outlander" the movie ? I mean, will it be the first book only ? For Jamie is in his early 20s only in the first two books.
I've seen an actor in a series about "Robinson Crusoe", Philippe Whincester his name -i think- he looks pretty much as a Jamie, yet he's not as intense as McKidd OR Gerard Butler would have been in earlier age.
Dear romantic (et al)–
Well, as I've been saying for years and years and years…_I_ don't have One Single Thing to say about who gets cast. I can express opinions and preferences, but it's not my money at stake, and it's not my call.
Fwiw, though…I think the book will remain unstained [g], no matter what happens–or doesn't–with any filmed versions of the story. The book will be what it's always been, and if you have a problem with a particular actor/actress or with the mere idea of a movie…well, you know…don't watch it. Simple!
–Diana
Dear Diana,
Ironically, I just saw Ms. Heigl in this movie called THE UGLY TRUTH. Looks wise, I also don't see her as Claire. But watching her play off Gerard Butler in said film helped convince me a bit that she may be able to play Claire. She and Gerard (a lot of people's pick for Jamie) had this nice chemistry in the movie.
Sincerely,
Rory
It's so funny seeing all these comments! Guys, you are ALL going to be SO disappointed when the actual movie comes out, no matter who's in it. It just will not be remotely the same. The only truly decent book/movie adaptation I've ever seen was Atonement, but it's a different type of book with a different length. It's a waste of energy to worry that somebody is "so NOT Claire" when the movie will so NOT be Outlander.
I think casting her would be a huge mistake and would definately alienate a lot of of fans.
For crap's sake, I wish KH would go away…
I've got an idea. How about those of you with such strong opinions about who should or should not be cast in the film put your money where your opinions are and produce the movie.
Dear Anonymous–
Well, you know what they say–talk is cheap. [g]
Talking about casting is just a form of entertainment–the readers have been doing it for _years_ (including making zillions of little "casting videos"–many of these are on my YouTube Channel–ranging from the sublime to the…er…well, I will say most of y'all sure have a different view of Jamie than _I_ do, but that's your privilege…)
–Diana
Now that I've already posted, I'll add this link to contradict myself.
Katherine Heigl played this character in "Love Comes Softly." It's moving and sympathetic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFTsYgtGcwA
What bothers me about the casting conversation is that so many who are commenting are saying cruel things about a woman — and a man, for that matter — they don't even know.
How about Kira Knightley (like the voluptuous Elizabeth Swan in Pirates of the Caribbean) as "Claire"? I picture "Jamie" as a young Tom Selleck type…..
It would be lunacy to put anyone but a brunette English woman with hazel eyes as the leading lady. KH is the flavor of the month in Hollywood, so the rumors always circle the flavor of the month. I wouldn't fret about it. The Gerards and Kevins have the right accents but are way too old and a red dye job will not do. Truthfully, an open cast call and raiding every pub and college dorm in the UK might serve you better. I will personally volunteer to help you leave no stone unturned. Just doing my duty.
Dear Anonymous–
Right you are, and I applaud your finer feelings! Still, if you're an entertainer (or any other kind of public figure, for that matter), you do become an object, rather than a person, and to be thought of only as a function of what you _do_, rather than who you are.
The same thing happens to me on occasion–go read some of the reviews on Amazon.com as illustration (I don't read them myself, but am told there are a few at present accusing me outright of cheating and swindling the readers by presenting them with a graphic novel instead of the eighth novel they want)–but you learn not to take it personally.
People will say _awful_ things, because they're not viewing the person they're talking about as _being_ a person; he or she is just a vehicle for emotion, and thus an object. An object's feelings can't be hurt, after all.
That's one (of many) reasons why I maintain a fairly high personal presence, with website, blog, whatever–so y'all _will_ realize that I'm a person, and not just a name on the cover.
Not so easy for an actor to do that, though.
–Diana
Hello Diana: I just want to say, I love everything you write, and will watch anything Outlandish. I also know not to expect miracles in a book to film adaptation – I would just be excited to see anyting like that happen. I do wish for an HBO or mini-series though. As far as KH as Claire – not sure – maybe. But I think Kate Winslet would be perfect. What I wanted to ask you is if you have ever seen Eddie Raymayne act? I am thinking of him as Jamie. He is from England, is 28 yrs old, lovely red hair, has a wide mouth, and angular facial bone structure. He played Jack in Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth mini-series. BTW, I LOVED that book to film in mini-series! In the beginning of the series I did not really like his look, but he was only playing a kid at that time. By the end of the series, especially the last couple of episodes, I could really see the grown up Jamie. Just lovely. Mind you I might have to see more of him doing battle scenes to see the 'rough' Jamie. He could do the sweet Jamie very well I think!
-BrendaW
Wow busy blog with opinions. Hope you don't mind another one.
Allan Scott-Douglas to me would make an excellent Jamie. In fact, he is the only one I have pictured that I would like to see as Jamie in a long time. I think he has a lovable presence that would have the women all swooning in no time. It's the presence that he gives off as well as what a professional director would coach him too. The only thing that was missing was a bit more of a "viking" type of body but that is nothing a gym won't fix! I love that he is relatively unknown in North America, Scottish, height perfect, natural red head and most importanly (to me) he has a passion for Outlander. He wouldn't just be some actor from Hollywood who would get a script, read it and go to work. Allan would be awesome!
As for Katherine, well not my first choice for sure because I was really hoping for a real English woman to play Claire. I know that professional actors/actresses can pull off accents/mannerisms but it usually feels wrong. I was furious when KH got Stephanie Plum, (another female book character I adore) and I'm going to hold my opinion until I see the movie. She was wrong on so many levels for me as Stephanie but if KH can win me over on that movie, I will support her for the Claire role. Afterall, KH is a professional actress who didn't get where she is today by not being good at her craft.
The only last thing I would comment on is that some huge profitable movies have done quite well with new actors/actresses playing lead roles. No one can convince me that a well known Hollywood name is required for the audience draw. Ben Kingsley won an Oscar for his first movie role in Gandhi! The Harry Potter cast, Twilight cast, lots of cast members from Lord of the Rings…well I could go on but I think I may have made a point.
Thank you for your thoughtful response Diana.
For some time now I've been taken aback by the complete lack of civility on the web. I'm not a frequent poster (here or elsewhere), but am an avid reader who's been lurking for some time. I was going to post a call for civility on an earlier brouhaha that I'm sure you remember erupting in your comments section, but that would have just been lost in the kerfuffle.
I realize it will seem to be just so much windmill tilting, but thought I'd try to do my part to tone down the rhetoric, if only in this tiny corner of the web.
Allow me to introduce myself,
Sherri