Aside from securing a seven-figure book deal or winning a Pulitzer, the coolest thing I can imagine as an author is to one day watch my work come alive on the big screen. To see the jewel-toned spires of Carpale’s skyline. To hear Rapunzel’s rants against “true love.” To join in as others cheer Belle’s growing independence, laugh at Cinderella’s vengeful “masterpiece,” and roll their eyes at Penny’s helicopter mother-in-law.
Unfortunately, Hollywood hasn’t called just yet. But just in case, here is my Dream Cast* for the Desperately Ever After series. Hey, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared! 😉
(Contest Bonus: Leave your own picks for an additional two bids in the Once Upon a Time/Damsels in Distress giveaway. Details and instructions at bottom of post.)
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THE LADIES
“Emmy Rossum, 2011” by MingleMediaTVNetwork*
Belle (Beauty and the Beast): Emmy Rossum
During the course of the series, D.E.A.’s Belle goes from a sweet, naive, ingénue to a strong, independent, kick-ass woman. I’ve loved Emmy Rossum since she played innocent Christine in The Phantom of the Opera, but her performance as Fiona in Showtime’s Shameless really blew me away.
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“Kristen Bell” by pinguino k from North Hollywood, USA*
Cinderella: Kristen Bell
For D.E.A.’s Cinderella, I picture an actress who shines playing the super smart, responsible, sophisticated woman who tends to bite off way more than she can chew and gets crazy paranoid when the slightest things go wrong — but still remains cute and lovable the entire time. For those of you who’ve seen When in Rome, all I have to say is “fountain breakdown.” For those who haven’t seen it, what are you waiting for?
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“Emma-Stone-Photo-Call” by http://www.promiflash.de – Bitte bei Bildverwendung auch Link setzen*
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Rapunzel: Emma Stone
Rapunzel is a force to be reckoned with, that’s for sure. Brazen, hilarious, tenacious, wild … and a heck of a lot more vulnerable than she’ll ever let anyone know. Stone has the style and attitude to be all those things. And she’s already a pro at changing her hair color!
(I have to thank Chick Lit Central for this pick. They were spot on.)
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“Deborah Ann Woll by Gage Skidmore” by Gage Skidmore*
Dawn (Sleeping Beauty): Deborah Ann Woll
Dawn’s story doesn’t really come in until Book Two, but it’s one of my favorites. Having been yanked out of her century and tossed 300 years into the future, her entire existence is in conflict. After going back and forth between Amy Adams, Christina Hendricks, Rose Leslie, and a throng of other redheads, I ultimately decided on True Blood’s Woll. For now, anyway…
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Tiya Sircar, 2009 Young Hollywood Awards Red Carpet*
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Penny (The Princess and the Pea): Tiya Sircar
Academically one of the smartest of the Desperately Ever After ladies, Penny is what happens when a fighting spirit gets shackled by a haunting secret — as well as by the mother-in-law from hell! Unless you saw The Internship, you might not recognize Tiya, but she’s always entertaining and would have loads of fun in Penny’s outfits 🙂
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“Krysten Ritter at 27 Dresses Premiere 5” by Photo from http://www.lukeford.net*
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Snow White: Krysten Ritter
We all know the basics. Skin as white as snow. Lips as red as blood. Hair as black as coal. But D.E.A.’s Snow White would prefer a hemp blouse and love beads to a silk dress and crown. In her view, karma is the only authority worth obeying.
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“Kim Cattrall 2012 (cropped)” by Canadian Film Centre*
Ruby (Cinderella’s fairy godmother): Kim Cattrall
Catapulted to Oprah-like status after her role in Cinderella’s transformation, Ruby is one of the last pureblood fairies in a world of dwindling magic. She’s also tremendously nosy, vehemently opposed to change, and a total diva. While I loved Chick Lit Central’s suggestion of Melissa McCarthy in this role, I think Cattrall would capture the holier-than-thou attitude as well as the humor. (The Sex and the City nod is a bonus!)
THE GUYS
Unfortunately, the fair use photos on Wikipedia simply didn’t do the men of D.E.A. justice! For the husbands, heart-throbs, supporting females, and much better pictures* of the women mentioned above, please see my D.E.A. Dream Cast board on Pinterest. (With Chris Evans and Ian Somerhalder in the mix, you won’t be disappointed!!)
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CONTEST BONUS: Who would you cast as the ladies and gents of Marestam? Leave a comment with some of your picks to get two more bids in the Damsels in Distress/Once Upon a Time giveaway (U.S. only), which ends Sunday night. Don’t forget to click the corresponding Rafflecopter option once you comment, or the extra points won’t count!)
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* To avoid any copyright conundrums, these photos are licensed for use under Wikipedia’s Creative Commons.
laurakenyon.com 
This is such a fun post, Laura! Fingers crossed for your dreamcast… the first step is putting it out there!
Thanks Wendy! I won’t hold my breath, but maybe in a few years …
Cinderella- Margaret Robbie
Belle- Karen Gillian
Rapunzel- Gal Gadot
Snow White- Maisie Williams (she may be too young lol)
Dawn- Jennifer Lawrence
Fairy Godmother- Jessica Lange
Jessica Lange is a great choice! I’m having so much fun hearing the opinions for Ruby. And age aside, Maisie Williams is fantastic no matter what the role 😉
Interesting casting; Kristen Bell’s a good choice
Glad you think so. Thanks for commenting.
Cinderella- Jennifer Lawrence
Belle- Emma Watson
Rapunzel- Georgia Jagger
Dawn- Hayden Panettiere
Penny: Tia Mowry
Fairy Godmother- Kathy Bates
Wow blast from the past with Tia Mowry 🙂 Sister, Sister was part of my after-school routine. Thanks for the great ideas!
I know Krysten Ritter looks the part of Snow White… but from the things I’ve seen her in she’s all sassy and cool and it just makes me think more of Rapunzel… though she would look terrible with blond hair… Rapunzel did have blond hair didn’t she? but the rest of the cast seems pretty groovy… I’d definitely go see that movie…
Rapunzel has EVERY color hair! That’s her “thing,” if you will. In the Grimm tale, her hair is long enough to climb … so I figured what if she changed the style/color/length all the time? Kind of like Madonna, only even more often 🙂 And actually, I could totally see Krysten Ritter in that role as well. She can definitely pull of the snark!
I totally agree with Kristen Bell for Cinderella! I think for Rapunzel I would choose Amanda Seyfried. Fun post!
Hi Whitney! Amanda actually crossed my mind at one point too — but for Cinderella of Dawn. I’m having so much fun with this. Thanks for commenting 🙂
I love your picks and I am crazy about your books. They are so much fun. Your dream cast would be unbelievable in a film and I love all the picks for the princesses! I have some ideas for other characters – I would pick Josh Duhamel for Aaron. Kristen Bell and Josh can reunite! My pick for Donner would be Joe Manganiello because I always imagined Donner more dark and Chris Hemsworth can’t be a bad guy!. I would pick Sofia Vergara for Julianne. Thanks for creating such wonderful books.
Joe Manganiello is perfect, Rosie! I was picturing a young Javier Bardem, and JM is much closer to that than Hemsworth (who, yes, is probably too “good” to play Donner). Thanks for putting him on my radar! And thank you so much for reading DEA 🙂
I’m a big Emmy Rossum fan and I think I’ll love you for considering Emmy for Belle. All your best!
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