Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (Movie Adaptation) Dream Cast
Dir. By : Barry Jenkins
DP: James Laxton
Seth Holly - Courtney B. Vance
In his early fifties, Seth Holly is the owner of the boardinghouse. He was born to northern free parents and works as a craftsman. Seth supplements income from his boarders with money made from making pots and pans, and he hopes to start his own business soon. Courtney B. Vance got his start performing in Fences and this role is a natural progression for him in the world of Wilson’s work. Because he plays many authoritative roles, it is not hard to picture Vance as a Seth-type but his calm demeanor and sensitivity as an actor is what would make his Seth special.
Bertha Holly - Angela Bassett
Seth’s wife of twenty-five years and five years his junior, Bertha runs the boardinghouse. She does all the cooking and cleaning and is the resident matriarch. Angela Bassett would be an interesting Bertha because of her multiple viewpoints that she has captured on the spectrum of black womanhood with her characters she has portrayed over the years. Being that Bertha is more easygoing and loving, it would be good to see Bassett tap into her lighter, more nurturing side. For selfish purposes, I would love to see her and her husband work together being that they are both amazing talents in their own rights.
Bynum Walker - Charles Dutton
A “conjure” man staying with the Holly’s at the boardinghouse. Bynum is in his sixties and is a freed slave from the South. Even though Wilson initially wrote the character Herald Loomis for Dutton, Bynum is one whose character is also worthy of his force-of-nature, hurricane-like gravitas that he brings to Wilson’s characters. Dutton is a Wilsonian soldier in the greatest sense and has done just about every one of his earliest plays. As a seasoned thespian, it would be great to see Dutton take on a wiser persona who is in tune with his own “song” and self-awareness of his “harmony” with the outside world.
Rutherford Selig - Sam Rockwell
Returning from Gem of the Ocean, Rutherford is the only white character in the play. This time around he sells Seth’s goods and is known as the “People Finder”. Selig is from a slaver family but now chooses to unite people by recording the names and places of all the people he peddles to. Rockwell plays a myriad of characters well; one of his best are the outsiders that do not fit into their environment but have to maneuver somehow. He commits to every role and specific choices that comes with the territory so it would be intriguing to see him go on the journey to search for Herald Loomis’ wife.
Jeremy Furlow - John David Washington
Another resident of the boardinghouse, Jeremy is a charming, suave and impulsive 25-year old artist. He is constantly seeking the attention of women in his vicinity. Jeremy came to the North looking for a better life and works construction on the new road outside of town. John David Washington has the capacity to elevate material; he can be charismatic, impetuous, naive, smart but still make you root for him. He has charm to spare but also the ability to be vulnerable and reveal multiple layers to a character no matter the screen-time. Washington would kill it as Jeremy.
Herald Loomis - Mahershala Ali
An odd man who dons an overcoat and hat in mid-August, Loomis is 32-years old and a displaced slave searching for his wife. He was a former deacon who was taken from his family and forced to work for Joe Turner for seven years. Loomis is a broken man who is just trying to put back together the pieces of a life that was stolen from him. Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali has proven time and time again that he can literally play ANY character. One of his most compelling gifts is the ability to show the soul of a man who has had a troubled life and make you feel for him. When he hurts, we hurt. And Ali will make us want to root for Loomis.
Zonia Loomis - Saniyya Sidney
Herald’s daughter. Zonia is described as a tall and skinny 11-year old. This would be Sidney’s second August Wilson project and she proved in Fences that she can handle the language as well as the emotion of being a child in the troubled world that Wilson creates for his adult characters.
Mattie Campbell - Kiki Layne
One of Seth’s tenants, who wants nothing more than to get married and have children. Mattie was originally seeking out Bynum at Seth’s boardinghouse but wound up living there after Jeremy invited her to stay with him when her boyfriend, Jack, left her. In her desperate search for love, Mattie represents a naïve, inexperienced group of young freed slaves that have moved North in search of prosperity. She requires a man to complete her identity. Kiki Layne would be a great hopeless romantic after seeing her fall in love in Beale Street. Having Layne being on the unrequited side of love is a nice contrast.
Molly Cunningham - Lupita Nyong’o
Another one of Seth’s tenants who desires nothing more than to be independent, and who ends up with Jeremy. Molly Cunningham is an extremely attractive 26-year old woman, comes to see Seth about a room when she misses her train. Lupita Nyong’o would be excellent as Molly as it would flex her comedic muscle, a side that she has been wanting to show for a minute. But with her being such a dynamic dramatic actress, she could ground the other parts of Molly to reveal her heart. Molly is a firecracker who will not allow a man to dictate her decisions anymore and Nyong’o would add the right amount of fire and wit.
Reuben Mercer - Alex Hibbert
As an adolescent, Reuben is aware of his place in society, notices the spiritual differences of people around him, and decides at a very early age that he needs a woman that he can find in end to settle down with and marry. Many of the ideals that are seen in the adult characters of this play are instilled in Reuben and will repeat, the good and the bad, as he grows into adulthood. Alex Hibbert is a brilliant young actor who has the ability to convey genuine adolescence and it never feels like he is “acting”. He is like a little man and would inject Reuben with a combination of childhood curiosity and the charm of a young heartbreaker.
Martha Loomis Pentecost - Nicole Beharie
Martha Loomis Pentecost is Herald’s wife, who has been separated from him for eleven years since Herald was illegally enslaved by Joe Turner. She is about 28, very religious and a member of the Evangelical church. She left the South and her daughter behind. She does what it takes to ensure her self-preservation and remains a strong, self-sufficient woman until the end. Nicole Beharie has a confidence and a familiarity to her almost as if you know someone like her. Because Martha is only briefly in the story, we have to connect to her in a short span of time. Beharie has presence and the capability to draw empathy for her characters regardless of their stance.
Let’s get it going Hollywood! 2/9. #HBOCenturyCycleAdaptations
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