Ever since I first heard that this movie is happening, I’ve been impatiently waiting to find out who Stephanie Plum’s leading men would be. I really do dig Katherine Heigl as Stephanie and was really worried that they would go all wrong with the casting of Ranger and Morelli. I was also keen to see if, by some slim chance, they went with my choices, but no such luck.
That doesn’t mean it’s all bad though… let’s have a little look-see at who will be playing these two men that are so near and dear to our hearts.
JOE MORELLI
Wikipedia description of the character:
Joe Morelli is Stephanie’s on-and-off boyfriend, a former bad boy turned vice cop. He is also known as Officer Hottie or the Italian Stallion. Her history with Morelli started with a “choo choo” incident when she was six. At the age of sixteen, Stephanie lost her virginity to Morelli in the Tasty Pastry shop behind the éclair stand, after which he never called (but left quite a few flattering messages in bathroom and stadium walls around town). Three years later she saw Morelli and ran over him with her father’s Buick, breaking his leg. A few years later in One for the Money Morelli was suspected of murder and was her first FTA, and Stephanie chased him around town, much to his annoyance….
At various times, both Stephanie and Morelli have seriously considered marriage, but never at the same time. They both know they’re not ready for commitment, but often comment on the idea together and have lived together more than once. Their relationship runs cold as a result of many arguments – usually over her job (She’s been known to stress Morelli enough that he tends to takes Rolaids & Maalox and tells her that he is quickly deteriorating because of her) and they eventually lead to her relationship with Ranger. Being that both were born & bred in Trenton, whatever happens to/around her usually has a number of others calling Morelli to inform him – cars being blown, bodies being found, etc. He’s said that he doesn’t even need to listen to the radio anymore; he knows she’s always involved (usually by some illegal means) and that he always gets calls about her and the latest situation she’s in.
Afraid I’ll have to cut it there as anything else will just spoil it for those of you who aren’t familiar with the story.
Morelli will be played by Jason O’Mara, who is most well known for his leading role in Life on Mars. I have never watched it as I’m not a big fan of shows that originate from trying to rip off really intelligently written British shows, but well… he looks cute enough. Not exactly what I had in mind for Morelli, but I can see a faint glimmer of it there. I somehow imagined him to be the real black haired, dark, Italian type, but my choice was Jeffrey Dean Morgan and he doesn’t exactly fit that description either.
I’m not screaming for joy here but I’m not particularly bothered by it either. It can still go either way for me and I won’t know until I actually see him in the film. Although, I may set aside my hatred for watered down American versions of British shows and watch Life on Mars, purely for research purposes. I will have to get back to you on that.
RANGER
Wikipedia description of the character:
Ranger is Stephanie’s fellow bounty hunter and tutor and sometimes known as Batman because of his mysterious ways. Ranger is Cuban-American, with mocha latte skin that can only be described as yum, always wears black or camo green, and drives a rotation of very expensive black cars (Stephanie has lingering questions about the origin of Ranger’s car-supply, but he will only say ‘Don’t ask’). He is the C.E.O. of RangeMan, Inc., a security company (among other things).
Stephanie’s relationship with Ranger, somewhere between boyfriend/girlfriend and teacher/pupil, provides much of her day-to-day stress, along with the almost constant threat of car bombing. Ranger says he loves Stephanie “in his own way” but isn’t the marrying type. Even if she is on with Morelli, it doesn’t stop Ranger from kissing or flirting with her, nor does she do much to discourage his advances. Regardless of his rivalry with Morelli, he has said that “Morelli is a good man” and is the marrying type Stephanie wants. Ranger does high-dollar or high-risk recovery for Vinnie, and sometimes lends Stephanie a hand with some of the more dangerous or slippery FTAs. He often assigns employees to guard or track her when she is in serious danger. Ranger “bleeds money” every time Stephanie requires protection, which is frequently; she minds, but he doesn’t so much – she actually appears as a line item in his budget (where she’s listed under “entertainment”).
As a result of him often coming to her aid or rescue, she has built up quite a tab with him and he has said that one day, he will collect.
Ranger will be played by Daniel Sunjata, who is most famous for his role as the hottie Franco Rivera on Rescue Me. As for him playing Ranger? Two words… YES PLEASE!!!!!
I challenge you to watch Rescue Me and not think this man was carved out of a piece of heaven itself. He is HOT! He can play it cool and he can definitely play a ladies man, as I’m sure whoever came up with the term ladies man obviously met Franco Rivera! Given the appropriate wardrobe and a good script, he CAN be Ranger, I’m certain of it. To be honest, I’m not sure why I hadn’t come up with him myself when I was thinking of possibilities. I think because I imagined Ranger to be harder, someone with a bit more of a rough look or perhaps having played more ‘fighty’ roles in the past (hence my choosing Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson initially), but I think he can do it. We’ve just not seen him in that kind of role yet, or I haven’t at least.
As with Heigl, I am 100% behind Sunjata as Ranger. The jury is still out on the Morelli casting, I will have to look into the actor a bit more before I can say either way.
I’m excited about this, really friggin’ excited! The more castings that happen and the closer the movie comes to being a reality, the more eager I am to see it. Especially now after seeing these castings. That said, it could all go to shit if they don’t choose wisely for Grandma Mazur and Lula, as they are pretty central characters that are loved by all. Get those two wrong and they may as well not even bother making the film.
I will be keeping my eyes peeled for any casting news in regards to those two, for sure, but in the meantime… what do YOU think of these guys playing our leading men??
I agree completely with betty white for gram mazur. as for morelli i think antonio sabato jr. looks the part.
Vin Diesel as Ranger Catherin O’Hara as mom
Paul Giamatti as Vinnie Ving Rhanes as Ranger Man #1
As much as I love Betty white I could also see cloris leachman play grandma I love the idea of the rock playing ranger !!Please no Katherine higel I thibk ann hathaway would be better and Morelie Maurice benard from general hospital
I agree about HK, she is not Stephanie. I also agree about grand-ma Mazur. Morelli and Ranger are not right either. The Rock for Ranger and somebody Italian, with muscles and hot for Morelli please!!!
Yes for a Anne Hathaway-not seeing this guy for Morelli
Been waiting for a movie for a long time. I love these books and the characters, but guess will have to wait and keep reading. The actors you have selected to play these awesome characters are all wrong.
I don’t like Katherine Heigl either and I really like Sandra Bullock for the character of Stephanie too, even if she is older. I could see Anne Hathaway as the part too. I think they got Ranger and I could see the part for Morelli. Betty White as Grandma Mazur, maybe, or Ellen Albertini Dow. She was the grandma in the Wedding Singer. Mo’nique as Lula.
Love the idea of Mo’nique as Lula!!!
Everyone forgot Lula! She is essential to the stories. Mo’nigue would be perfect!
Just simply CANNOT WAIT!!! love the books and can’t wait to see how they are transformed into a into the movie.
I agree Dwayne Johnson as Ranger… and Jason O’Mara is not how i visioned Morelli, but hey we shall see…oh and did i say I CANNOT WAIT!!! lol
I can’t wait for this movie but I would pick Marrissa Tomei as Stephanie, I’m not sure I can picture Katherine Heigel. I was for Dwayne Johnson too, but the guy they picked is hot.
I was thinking a 15 years younger Marissa Tomei for Stephanie too! isnt that funny?!
Mark ruffalo as morelli
I agree- Sandra Bullock is who I’ve always pictured while reading the Stephanie Plum books! She’d be perfect! And though I like Katherine Heigl, I just can’t wrap my head around her playing that role. Betty White would be a hoot! What a great idea!
To be honest, I always pictured someone like Jennifer Love Hewitt in the Stephanie role or maybe Anne Hathaway.
No way… too preppy
The Morelli actor (O’Mara) looks way too old for this role. He looks to be in his 40′s (notice crows feet wrinkles)…they couldn’t find a younger Morelli?
Sunjata looks perfect for Ranger…grrr!
I think Sunjata would be great, but I think he is going to need to buff up prior to. I would love to Cloise Leechman as Grandma Mazur. I think Heigel can pull off Stephanie… I remember her in that Steven Seigal movie. I’m not completely sold on O’Mara as Morelli… don’t know about that one.
Mark Ruffalo as Morelli!
Zooey Deschanel as Stephanie
Wow your right I like both of your picks and the one they have now looks to old for Morelli .
Ok this might sound crazy but what about Dean McDermot Tori Spellings husband for Morelli, I think that would be a good suit.
I dont like who they cast for Morelli at all! He’s supposed to be ten times hotter, and younger, than that! And Ranger… well, this guys hot but he doesnt look dangerous, or powerful, or so beyond sexy its not possible!
I agree 100%
Keep in mind that actors prepare for roles are really come into the character vs a photo of them in other shows/movies or a headshot of what they look like in real life. Morelli is older than Stephanie, and the more I looked at the pic of the actor chosen I can see it.
I didn’t exactly agree with Katherine Heigl at first, but I do think she can pull off the querky character.
I always pictured Mo’nique or Queen Latifa as Lulu. Let’s not forget about Connie!
Sandra Bullock would be perfect.Especially since there is a strong comedic element to the character. Katherine Heigl is not funny and always seems forced in her movies. She indicates when she is being funny or cute or sexy.
I’ve been stewing on this most of this evening. And I do not like the choice of either Ranger or Morelli. I also disagree with many of you waning Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson as Ranger. He’s not small enough.
However- I do have a suggestion for Ranger. Shemar Moore. He plays Derek Morgan on Criminal Minds. He’s buff enough, tough ebough, and DAMN! Sexy!!
As for Morelli- I haven’t found a suitable guy yet.
And don’t get me started on Heigl as Stephanie. She’s great and all- but not as Plum!!!
Shemar Moore as Ranger is a good suggestion. He is hot enough and tough enough. Good idea.
I’m not sure about Jason O’Mara either. I think Jeffrey Dean Morgan would have been perfect. Sandra Bullock is a definite no for me as Stephanie. Stephanie needs to be played by someone quirkie – Emily Blunt maybe? Estelle Getty would have been great as Grandma Mazur.
Anyway can’t wait for the movie and hope they keep it as close to the books as possible.
OK
Ranger: Lookin Good
Morelli: Still gotta see him in jeans
Stephanie Plum: Should have been **Amanda Peet
I can’t believe Heigel is going to be Stephanie Plum
BOO
=(
I totally agree!
Who did the casting for this?? Some how they did not read the books. Stephanie – 5’7 brown curly hair, blue eyes lots of personalty. Morelli -6′ drop dead handsome and built.
Ranger – 5’10 or 5’11, dark and handsome, muscles, dangerous and scary. None of these actors have it. Why?
I have seen Life on Mars and Jason O’Mara does have some sex appeal on screen – but he is no Morelli. In my mind Morelli will always be Eddie Cibrian. For a hot Italian/American cop that all the girls want to sleep with, you can’t go past Eddie. I could totally buy Daniel Sunjata as Ranger, but with O’Mara as Morelli it just makes me root for a Stephanie/Ranger hook up even more! I wouldn’t have thought of Katherine for Stephanie, but I can see her pulling it off.
I think Morelli Could have been much sexier than that O’mera guy:
Check ou
EDDIE CIBRIAN
or SCOTT ELROD
Ranger could have been Sexy and Dark Like
JASON MOMOA (if he cut his dreads)
Stephanie Plum has Brown curly hair and Blue eyes and shes like 30
in One for the Money, So My vote goes to:
AMANDA PEET..
Shoulda Coulda, They’d betta
Only Wayne Johnson could play Rangeman. Betty White is Grandma. I like Catherine but don’t think see can play Stephanie. Just finished Sixteen and can’t wait for the next book and the Movie. I thought Sheri from the View was playing LuLu. Need another Hunk for Tank
ok. im real angry with this the cast. grandma mazur should have been betty white for starters. the guy they have for ranger is GROSS with a capitol GROSS. the guy playing morelli is WAY too old!!! they should have used alex o’laughlin. the only one im happy with is mooner.
All the while reading the book, I pictured Dwayne Johnson as ranger and Debra Messing as Stephanie. I had a young George Clooney in mind for Morelli, but he’d probably be too old now. I think Sherry Shepard should be a perfect Lula and Betty White should do fine as Grandma.
Ever since the very first book, I’ve pictured Sandra Bullock as Stephanie, Benjamin Bratt as Joe, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as Ranger. I understand that they’re probably a bit up there in age to play these characters now but they’re all still looking pretty good. I think they could of pulled it off. Too bad this movie wasn’t made years ago.
Marisa Tomei or the gal from the series Lost would make a good Steph in lieu of Bullock if they didn’t want to spend that much, Adam Rodriguez fron CSI Miami would have made a better Ranger than Sunjata as he is more handsome & less bulky. Ranger is lean. O’Mara was like the worst choice for Morelli. Seriously, who cast this film? He is like the anti-Morelli. If they HAD to cast an Irisman Colin Farrell would have been a better choice as he’s black Irish. What WERE they thinking?
I think Kate Hudson would be a better character – if she had bigger boobs. the Morelli character should be more stalkier and cutier than the Ranger character – although now I would prefer to get laid by Ranger!
HeLLLO! Are you guys forgetting that Stephanie is a 30 year old?! Sandra is GREAT, but she is not 30. I even think they chose someone too mature looking in Katherine Heigl. Also KH is so tall, I believe she is only 5’7 and she says she isnt skinny… AND she has blue eyes and KH has brown. Maybe they will give her colored contacts, IDK… but I get frustrated with the physical details because it almost spoils your imagination especially shen the author gave those little details so much thought. Anyway about it, it will be a good movie I am sure!
I agree with all the other posters that this is the wrong choice for Morelli. This guy looks more like a candidate for Albert Kloughn. And to be perfectly honest, my vision of Ranger is Johnny Depp’s “Red” in Chocolat. Still think Mo’nique would have been the better choice for Lula. Do you think the casting director even read the book?
Why not get a Latino to play a Latino character? I could see Eduardo Verastegui as Ranger. Yum!
I’m totally with your personal picks. They are mine lol. But then budget probably has something to do with it. We’ve read these for so long that we already know in our minds eye what they look like. Afraid this will ruin the whole movie for me :(
I think the gentleman cast as Alcide in True Blood would of made the Perfect Ranger……
I have a better idea for Morelli. I can see that guy playing him, but he looks too old… sorry… George Eades from CSI would be PERFECT!!! That’s all I’m saying…
The only 2 women who should be considered for Stephanie Plumm: Marisa Tomei or Sandra Bullock
Joe Morelli: Are you kidding? Mark Ruffalo and no one else.
Ranger: The dude who is married to Kelli Rippa. Whatever his name. . . he has the look of Ranger dripping. . . like honey.
Oh and Grandma Mazur: needs to be taller than Betty White. Olympia Dukakis? Shirley Maclaine?
And what about Lula? Queen Latiffa?
Stephanie – Heigl? no Angie Harmon YES!
Ranger – Sunjata ? Shemar Moore YES!
Grandma – Reynolds yes Cloris Leachman YES!
Tank – ? Dwayne Johnson YES!
Pa Plum – Dan Lauria yes
Morelli – O’Mara ? gotta be someone preferable
Ranger #2 man – ? Vin Rhames YES!
I have read all of her books and the only one I can see and buy as Ranger is the “Rock”. He fits the picture. The only one who does.
Grandma Mozur: Cloris Leachman hands down. When I read the books and the parts come up with her, I see Cloris.
Stephanie Plum: Anne Hathaway. Picturing the crazy stuff that Stephanie does, Anne can pull that off and be more believable.
Morelli: I will have to think of one. But not the one you have now. I can’t remember the guys name, but the guy in General Hospital who plays the Italian with the mob. Or someone closer to his look. Actually Dinozo from NCIS (make his hair dark) would be perfect.
One last thing, there are many of us out there that are Stephanie Plum fans and we are expecting characters that we have set in our mind. Maybe take a survey. I notice from all of the comments, there are certain names that always come up.
Boy did the producers miss the boat on the entire cast,especially Stephanie and Ranger. I have read all the books and will see the movie. Have a feeling it will be a dud!!!!
I agree, that the choice for Ranger will be ok, however, my choice was the same as yours “the Rock”. My absolute first pick for Morelli would have been Jeffrey Dean Morgan. My group of friends who all read the series have talked about the possibility of a movie for a long time and all wanted to see Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Morelli. A little disappointed in the choice that has been made.
So not Morelli Rock would do!!!
I think Mo’nique would be good for Lula. Always kind of pictured Estelle Getty from the Golden Girls for Grandma Mazur. (I know she passed away.) Dewayne Johnson for Ranger. Sandra for Stephanie. Not sure if there is a Morelli out there, but I don’t this guy is it. Love the books!
Yeah, I just looked at Jeffrey Dean Morgan. He would have been a good Joe…..bummer.
Shemar Moore will be the best for Ranger……….
When is the movie going to be out?
Stephanie- Julie Gonzalo [The character she played in Eli Stone is an almost perfect Stephanie]
Ranger- Daniel Sonjata
Morelli- Eddie Cibrian all the way!
Lula- Sherri Shepard [love her in 30 Rock]
Grandma Mazur- Betty White
Frank Plum – cameo by Robert DeNiro!
Katherine Heigl as Stephanie is a really terrible idea.
I just read all of the books for the first time. I’m ok with the casting for Ranger. I saw James Franco on TV this am and think he could pull off the Morelli role.
Stephanie Plum should be played by Ashley Judd.
Joe Morreli should be played by Patrick Dempsey
Grandma Mazur should be played by Ann Morgan Guilbert
(the Nanny)
i think they should have come up with all new cast members keeping the looks in mind we all have opinions about these people we need new actors but i can deal with the others but that old guy as joe will kill it for me
Not a big fan of who they cast. Here would be my wish list!
Stephanie Plum…Missy Peregrym
Stephanie should be played by Mary McCormmack of In Plain Sight… Vinnie should be Steve Buscemi. Grandma Mazur –Cloris Leachman,