Back again. Here are the ideas I have for (most of) the main characters. Uploading pictures is a lot more tedious than I thought it would be, so I apologize for the delay! Â Some of the characters have multiple actors because I haven't decided. Feel free to pick which one you like best or even offer a completely new suggestion, so no complaining. Nothing is set in stone. I REPEAT, NOTHING IS SET IN STONE.
If you remember suggesting a person that's up here, please let me know so I can give you credit. I'll probably go back in the comments to fact-check, but I'm a busy gal. In theory.
Read on!
Main Cast List
Keke Palmer as Miren Eze
My thoughts: I think she's the best candidate because unfortunately there aren't that many young, dark skinned black female actresses I can think of at the top of my head. However, I have nothing against her, and I think that if this were actually a movie, that she would consider the role.
Elizabeth Gilles as Penelope Van Helsing
My thoughts: IÂ adored her as Jade in Victorious, and I really feel that she's underrated as both an actress and a musician. Since Penelope is a thespian, I do like the idea of casting a person who is a competent performer.
Dylan O'Brien/Ezra Miller as Jeno Rutherford
My thoughts: Well, I'm honestly having a little trouble thinking because I'm a total fan girl for both of them. Love Dylan in Teen Wolf and in the Maze Runner series, and I enjoyed him as whoever he played in The Internship. He's an actor I expected good things from, so I'm glad his career is taking off. But at the same time, I think he would take the role. Â Plus, I would love to see him play a slightly more brooding, silent character like Jeno.
On the other hand, I loved Ez in The Perks of Being a Wallflower and even in Trainwreck before he buffed up and became sexy as hell. I feel that he's a really strong actor that has a good balance of snark and seriousness that Jeno role requires. But now he's The Flash, so he might be too good for this lol.  However, I'm not quite as familiar with him, and for that reason, I can "hear" Dylan in some of the lines/actions Jeno has better than him. Personally, I'm in love with Ezra, but I don't know if that means he should play Jeno because of my romantic biases.
Jordan Fisher as Wallace Harisson
My thoughts: I think this is pretty set in stone. I'm realizing that things like eye color will have to be ignored to some extent, as Wallace has hazel eyes, but that doesn't really matter. *Offers literal stamp of approval*
Karen Fukuhara as Charolette "Chara" Tachibana
My thoughts: She's going to be on Suicide Squad  but I think she'd still consider it. She's not that famous (yet) which I love, and I think she gives off strong Chara vibes.
Shay Mitchell as Artemis El-Amin
My thoughts: In reality, I don't think Shay would play her, but it's incredibly hard to find a middle-eastern actress (specifically one of Egyptian decent) that can pass as a high school student. I believe she is Filipino on her mothers side, but I would definitely look for a non-white passing middle-eastern or even biracial (Egypt is technically in Africa lol) actress to play her.
Grace Phipps/Chloe Briggs as Jemma Rutherford
My thoughts: I think it sort of depends on who is cast as Jeno, since they're siblings. If it's Dylan I would probably pick Grace, if Ezra I'd pick Chloe. I personally like Chloe the best (I know she doesn't have blue-green eyes but who does anyway? lol). She also looks a little bit more cunning and manipulative (she plays Zita in Faking It, and her character is very Jemma-esq).
Debbie Ryan as Theodora Zolotov
My thoughts: I'm not married to the idea of Debbie; I actually thought of using Bella Thorne, but Deb  looks a bit more down to earth and fits Theodora's descriptions better (ex. doe-eyed, girl-next-door) IMO.
????????????? Â as Parker Harisson
Okay, so I haven't exactly locked onto anyone as Parker yet. The problem with him is that he has a specific look, and because I constantly reference his appearance, I want to find someone who matches him perfectly, you know? As it stands, someone suggested Shayne Cureton:
And I don't mind him, but he doesn't quite do it for me. I'm not saying that he has to have green eyes or that he isn't handsome enough, but in my mind, I always pictured him as a younger version of my husband Jesse Williams:
Or maybe as the love child of Jesse Williams and Jason Momoa:
*Sighs dramatically* But I digress. Here's one more for Jesse.
Supporting Cast List
These people are a bit more negotiable, so I'm honestly pretty open to anyone. Right now I only have choices for Edsel and Levi, so please feel free to offer any other suggestions.
Ian Somerhalder as Dr. Roger Edsel
Avan Jogia as Levi Shahidi
*I would also consider Blake Michael, but I like Avan more  (I'm a real Victorious fan):
As  for Axel, Cliff, Cowdry, Dr. Castro, and even Soren, you can offer your suggestions. I know all of you felt that Cliff reminded you of Michael Clifford, so he could totally be him, I guess. But here are my thoughts. Naturally, I want to be as authentic as possible with the cast, but the problem is that there are not more prominent POC actors out there. So if this does get to be a movie, hopefully we can change that. :)
Again, let me know what you love/don't mind/hate. I'd end with a funny gif, but I'm pretty sure I exceeded the photo limit. I'll have another update next Saturday, so get in your title suggestions for the sequel!
Until then,
U.C.