After years of
resisting the temptation, this NFL season I am playing fantasy football for the
first time. In the past I've chosen not to participate because I wanted to keep
my football rooting interests pure. That meant primarily rooting for the NYJets, against the Patriots/Dolphins/Bills, and when watching a game involving
none of these teams and in which the result did not affect playoff seeding, rooting exclusively for an entertaining game. I pulled for acrobatic catches of deeply thrown
spiral passes; long serpentine plays on the ground leaving would be tacklers
grasping at thin air; bone crunching tackles; blind side sacks; gravity defying
exhibitions of physical theatrics to dazzle my scarcely believing eyes. This seemed
like enough, more than enough. I was not interested in cheering for individual
players on teams spread throughout the league to pile up fantasy friendly
statistics. I did not want to face the dilemma of pulling for one team to win
while also wanting a player on the opposing team to have a great game. These
interests would be in opposition to each other. I had no desire to complicate
what previously was a simple thing, love of a game, passion for my hometown
team. Victory or misery with no points given for style...or fantasy.
But this year against
my instincts I went in, and since my league’s draft night I've sunk deeper
and deeper. Scarcely an hour goes by before I feel the urge to review and
inevitably tinker with my line-up in anticipation of the upcoming slate of
match-ups. I have taken to the task of
being an armchair general manager of a theoretical football team like a fish to
water. A fish who enjoys the hell out of swimming.
The other evening thoughts
of hopefully improving the record of my team (the Underdogs) to 3-1 were replaced by thoughts about my novel, Matters of Convenience. I found myself imagining a movie adaptation and gave myself the role of producer. As a fantasy movie producer,
with every Hollywood actor to choose from, who would I cast in the pivotal
roles?
I dove into the
project with gusto. Rather than relying on statistical analysis I mostly went with my gut. Certain roles were quickly filled with an actor who
immediately emerged as the perfect fit. Considerably more contemplation and google searching was done regarding other roles where a clear lead candidate did not jump to mind. I found myself
rejecting actors for being too old, or too young, or not
quite fitting the look I had in my head. A mental flip of a coin was needed in a couple instances to conclude casting.
Below are the stars of
the hypothetical movie adaptation of Matters of Convenience, directed and
produced in fantasy by Roy L. Pickering Jr. – screenplay by Roy L. Pickering
Jr. based on the novel by Roy L. Pickering Jr. I hope you read the book
someday. I hope you see the movie
someday. I doubt I’ll be the one to produce and direct it (which is for the best since I only have movie making experience in fantasy), but fingers are crossed that my dream
cast eventually ends up as the reality cast.
Without further delay I invite you to grab a box of popcorn and check out the virtual cast of my dream scenario film adaptation of Matters of Convenience.
Playing the role of Audrey (narrowly edging out Sanna Lathan), the lovely Kerry Washington:
Playing the role of James (since he isn't busy being James Bond) - Idris Elba:
It was a toss up between him and David Oyelowo. To play the role of Marshall I went with Chiwetel Ejiofor:
For the role of Gwen I initially had Regina King in mind but ultimately went with Anika Noni Rose:
And to play the role of Sarah I mulled several candidates before deciding to go with Essence Atkins:
And I suppose this film needs a director as well so who better to go with than the extremely talented Ava DuVernay?
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