Something Wicked Comes This Way: A Movie Adaptation

Something Wicked This Way Comes is a dark, enchanting tale of the mysterious experience of two boys, William Halloway and Jim Nightshade, with a carnival that comes into town. Within the novel, William and Jim encounter the most precarious of individuals and events. Where darkness meets fantasy the boys attest to everything from dwarfs to carousels that can make you both young and old. However, this carnival is like none other as its leader, Mr. Dark makes his guests the main attraction.

Something Wicked This Way Comes has already been converted into a film adaptation quite some time ago. However, if I were to make the movie myself, I would cast it in the following way due to both their physical attributions and acting experience:

Johnny Depp as G. M. Dark

First and foremost, I would cast Johnny Depp as Mr. Dark. Depp has a long resume of playing dark whimsical characters some of which include Barnabus Collins, Sweeney Todd, Edward Scissorhands, and Captain Jack Sparrow, of which Johnny Depp's charter execution as an actor is impeccable. Beyond his talent, I would cast him for his very intriguing facial features. Depp's bone structure allows him to wear the most interesting of stage makeup. Mr. Dark himself is covered in tattoos. Mr Dark's role in the novel is quite important and therefore an iconic film star is imperative. Johnny Depp has the ability to really personify character of which I think he would be able to contribute in the development of the character G.M. Dark. One of the most intriguing characters of nothing literature is the ability for us to make an emotional connection to things that seem villainous or grotesque. I believe that Depp would be able to make Mr.Dark formidable yet human which would make the viewer captivated to watch the film. 

James Franco as J. C. Cooger

Secondly, I would cast James Franco as Mr. Cooger. James Franco has a sinister or "Bad boy demeanor about him in many of the roles he plays. Therefore, he would make the perfect accomplice to Mr. Dark as Mr. Cooger. 

Anne Hathaway as Miss Foley

Although Miss Foley in the novel is older than Anne Hathaway, I believe that Anne Hathaway would embody the character of Miss Foley quite well.  In the novel, Miss Foley seems to be consumed with the thought of youth. When reading the tale, I imagined Miss Foley to look something like Anne Hathaway in her younger days. However, going beyond just physical appearance, Anne Hathaway has a way of playing vulnerable yet sassy women.

Matthew Bomer as Charles Halloway

As for William's father, Charles, I would cast Matt Bomer. Matt Bomer has starred in an array of genres including soap operas, sitcoms, dramas, and even Broadway musicals.  Matt Bomer does a great job of delving into the emotional reals of characters. Most recently stars in the USA drama, "White Collar" where he portrays a con artist that aids the FBI in the white collar department. However, both his anklet and his past seems to haunt and tempt him. In the novel, Charles Halloway contemplates whether or not he is a good person. Matt Bomer has already played characters that have great internal conflict and that are pensive in nature. 

Haley Joel Osment as William "Will" Halloway 

As for William Halloway, I would cast the young Haley Joel Osment. Osment is best known for his role as Cole in The Sixth Sense. In addition to being blonde, Osment does a great job of executing serious roles. When I read Something Wicked This Way Comes, I envisioned William to be a staid and grounded yet charming young boy. Acting as Jim's best friend, I imagined the boys to have a yin and yang relationship. For example, William's sensibility would counteract the inquisitive, adventurous Jim. 

Josh Hutcherson as James "Jim" Nightshade

Lastly, I would cast the young Josh Hutcherson as Jim Nightshade. Hutcherson is most recently known for his role in The Hunger Games. However, I would have casted Hutcherson when he was in The Bridge to Terabithia of which he interacts with a world of fantasy. In some ways there is parallels to the novel. For example, when Jim does not invite William to go out with him to the carnival is quite similar to when Jesse in The Bridge to Terabithia does not invite his friend Leslie to go to the art museum with his teacher. Thus Hutcherson has a way of successfully playing the curious boy type. 

I leave you with the following quote that embodies the essence of this novel: [Humans] get bored with childhood they rush to grow up, and then long to be children again. They lose their health to make money, and then lose their money to restore their health. By thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such as that they live in neither the present nor the future. They live as if they never die and die as if they never lived.

Works Cited

Bradbury, Ray. Something Wicked This Way Comes. New York: Avon, 1999. Print.

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