10 Actors Who Should Be Cast as Authors

1. Benedict Cumberbatch as Neil Gaiman

2. Patrick Fischler as H.P. Lovecraft

3. Helen Mirren as Margaret Atwood

4. Jack Nicholson as Salman Rushdie

5. Joaquin Phoenix as Edgar Allan Poe

6. Aubrey Plaza as Emily Dickinson

7. Queen Latifah as Zora Neale Hurston

8. Kevin Spacey as David Sedaris

9. Emma Thompson as J.K. Rowling

10. Oprah Winfrey as Maya Angelou

Our first look at Jason Segel in costume as David Foster Wallace got us thinking—which actors would we love to see cast as our favorite authors? Considering personality, physical appearance and past performances, we chose the following pairings:



If everyone’s favorite Sherlock were cast as the award-winning novelist, the internet might explode.



Those eyes. Those haunting eyes.



Who better to play a sexy, inspiring feminist?



Anyone else wants to see Nicholson freak out over a fatwa?



Phoenix has a knack for transforming into any character, and given his resemblance to the master of American horror, we bet he’d slip into the role better than anyone else.



The death-obsessed poet should obviously be played by the actress with the most deadpan expressions.



Who better to honor the bold and progressive Hurston’s legacy than Queen Latifah, especially with her mantra “ladies first”?



The charming humorist deserves to be represented by the Oscar-winning actor.



As already seen with her performance in Saving Mr. Banks, Thompson is no stranger to playing authors of beloved and magical children’s books.



Citing Angelou as one of her major inspirations, Oprah would likely be honored to portray one of America’s most acclaimed authors and poets.



Jessica Gentile would like to give a special shoutout to Kevin Brettauer for his inspiring suggestions.