My new novel, Silver Echoes, takes us on a wild ride through the Roaring Twenties, from Denver to Chicago and back to Leadville, Colorado, following the tumultuous life of Silver Dollar Tabor and her mother. It’s a story bursting with ambition, betrayal, love, and a quest for identity, and as I read it, I couldn’t help but picture which modern movie stars would bring these incredible characters to life on the big screen.
So, grab your popcorn, because here’s Part II of my dream cast for a Silver Echoes movie adaptation, complete with a little fun and flair!
Carl Erikson: Chris Pratt
Why he’s perfect: Carl is the earnest script boy who transforms into a rising Hollywood screenwriter, a man of integrity who deeply loves Silver Dollar despite her unpredictable nature. He has blond curls. Chris Pratt has that charming, wholesome appeal that would make him instantly likable as Carl. He can play the supportive, heartfelt friend, but also convincingly convey the pain of betrayal and the quiet strength of his convictions. His transition from “script boy” to “Hollywood screenwriter” would be perfectly showcased by Pratt’s natural charisma and ability to show growth in his characters.
Rockwell / JD Rockwell: Josh Brolin
Why he’s perfect: JD Rockwell is a complex character—a family lawyer with a “walrus mustache” who is both a protector and a predator. He is a man with a “beaver-hide cowboy hat” and a “hefty silver nugget... gleaming on his bolo tie”. Josh Brolin has the gravitas and imposing presence to portray Rockwell’s authority and underlying menace. He can embody the kind of character who is both outwardly respectable and inwardly corrupt, bringing a compelling intensity to Rockwell’s complicated relationship with the Tabor family.
Lily (Silver’s sister): Evan Rachel Wood
Why she’s perfect: Lily is the older, more dutiful sister, initially the “darling Tabor baby” but later a woman burdened by the family’s past and the choices of her sister. She has vibrant red hair, which later becomes dull and streaked with gray. Evan Rachel Wood can convey both innocence and a simmering resentment. Her ability to portray complex emotional journeys, from her work in
Westworld to period dramas would allow her to capture Lily’s transformation from a loving sister to someone hardened by disappointment and judgment.
Doris: Juno Temple
Why she’s perfect: Doris is the “freckle-faced comedian” with a wicked grin and a penchant for mischief and envy. Juno Temple excels at playing quirky, unpredictable characters with an edge. She can perfectly embody Doris’s competitive nature and passive-aggressive jabs, making her a memorable antagonist who is both annoying and slightly pitiable.
Part III coming soon!