10 Actors Who Should Be Cast as Authors

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:

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1. Benedict Cumberbatch as Neil Gaiman
If everyone’s favorite Sherlock were cast as the award-winning novelist, the internet might explode.

2. Patrick Fischler as H.P. Lovecraft
Those eyes. Those haunting eyes.

3. Helen Mirren as Margaret Atwood
Who better to play a sexy, inspiring feminist?

4. Jack Nicholson as Salman Rushdie
Anyone else wants to see Nicholson freak out over a fatwa?

5. Joaquin Phoenix as Edgar Allan Poe
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.

6. Aubrey Plaza as Emily Dickinson
The death-obsessed poet should obviously be played by the actress with the most deadpan expressions.

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

8. Kevin Spacey as David Sedaris
The charming humorist deserves to be represented by the Oscar-winning actor.

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

10. Oprah Winfrey as Maya Angelou
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.