Laura Hillenbrand’s Unbroken has been out for nearly two months now, and is garnering rave reviews everywhere. Louis Zamperini’s story is the type of sweeping saga that practically begs for a film adaptation—as Hillenbrand told us herself in an interview, “So much of his life is spectacular—his races, air combat, a plane crash, his time on the raft—and would translate beautifully to film.”
Movie execs have agreed ever since Zamperini’s autobiography, Devil at My Heels, was first optioned by Universal Pictures in 1957—though despite interest in the role from stars like Tony Curtis and Nicholas Cage, no film was ever made. Now, the same studio has optioned Unbroken, and Water for Elephants director Francis Lawrence is currently attached to direct.
I know a lot of you have read Unbroken and know Zamperini’s story—anyone have a pick for who should play him in the film?
A wonderful book, which not only deals with the incredible life of Louie Zamperini, but illuminates three eras of American history. The vignettes of the secondary characters are as compelling as the main narrative. Hillenbrand weaves these stories in with the larger story of the times in which they take place. A really masterful job. Who should play louie? Pacino would have been perfect had a movie been made thirty years ago. Of the current crop, I think maybe James Franco or Mark Wahlberg.
I would love to see James Franco, Mark Wahlberg, or Leo Di Caprio play the role of Louie. I also think that Ben McKenzie would be a perfect fit for Phil. If I got to hand pick the cast, it would be:
Louie: James Franco
Louie’s Brother: Dicaprio or Adrien Brody
Louie’s Dad: Al Pacino
Phil: Ben McKenzie
The Bird: Jet Li