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HBO options "Middlesex" for a new seriesThe novel Middlesex, by Jeffery Eugenides (who also wrote The Virgin Suicides), was my first literary encounter with the concept that gender identity is a bit more complicated than what parts are in your pants. Well, not exactly the first, since it explores some of the same themes as The Well of Loneliness. But Middlesex was more contemporary — and, for me at least, a more readable story.
In the novel, the narrator tells the story of being born with a recessive gene that resulted in being male, chromosome-wise, but without a penis (I’m way oversimplifying). The protagonist was misidentified and raised as a female, Calliope/Callie, but later — after an accident — learned his true gender identity and became Cal. Part of the trick of the novel, from a writer’s perspective, was getting the voice right. The perspective of a narrator that was raised as a girl but was really a boy is not exactly intuitive. Whether Eugenides pulled it off was the subject of many a literary article when Middlesex was published. I’m not sure what I think, since Cal was telling the story as a man and even the flashbacks were his memories of living like a woman who was a man all along — well, you see the problem. In any case, Middlesex was a fascinating read and a book I hoped would eventually be brought to the screen. Rita Wilson agreed.
HBO announced this week that Wilson will executive produce a one-hour series based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. No word yet on how many episodes are planned, but I’m a bit relieved that it will be a series instead of a movie. That allows time to explore the family background and characters that are important to the story. Since the characters are Greek, Flavorwire suggests John Stamos for Cal: “he’s both Greek and pretty enough to be a woman.” Personally, I thought Stamos was much prettier when he was a lesbian.
The real casting trick, I think, will be finding actors for Callie and Cal that actually could be the same person. Of course, the people who come to mind immediately are Daniela Sea and Zac Efron. I just can’t decide who should play Cal and who should play Callie.
I’m looking forward to seeing how this project develops. Have you read Middlesex? Do you think it will make a good HBO series? Who do you think should play Cal and Callie? Submitted by on July 9, 2009 - 11:00am. |
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One of my all-time favorite
Erm...
...why, exactly, can't the same actor play both the male and female role? Or am I misreading here?
Excited about the series though!!!
Who you gonna be if you can't be yourself,
you can't get it from t.v., you can't force it on
anybody else.-- Ani Difranco
I guess because Callie is a
I guess because Callie is a lot younger than what you see of Cal. You'd want someone older playing Cal. Daniela Sea/Zac Efron is a bit misleading as (at a push) you could see them as the same age/not that far apart in age.
www.myspace.com/stopstartstall - acousticy music type stuff.
Could be the same actor
I have mixed feelings about it, to be honest. They'll probably have to get several different actors to play different ages if the series goes back to childhood.
Suggesting Sea/ Efron was more in fun than anything. Casting this series will be very complicated. IMO.
Cant wait for this. I
Cant wait for this. I wrote my undergrad dissertation on Middlesex (amongst other trans/intersex books/films) so it'll be great to see it on screen!
www.myspace.com/stopstartstall - acousticy music type stuff.
Middlesex
omg, this was an awesome book and when i saw the cover on the home page of AE i actually gasped, lol. I wish i had HBO cos these seems so cool but i guess thats what the internet is for ;)
"Butch/Femme is all about relating to each other like ladies and gentlemen—no matter our genitals."
um wow. I just had a mini
um wow. I just had a mini heart attack. This is my top 5 favorite book of all time. So I'm thrilled...but yet saddened because It ruins my dream of directing the movie myself. Ha. But yes, I'm sooooo stoked.
I kind of would like to see Callie/Cal played by a girl though. I don't know why.
It's awesome they would turn it into a mini series. I pretty much knew I'd never see this made into film becaue it would be WAY too long and have too much story. I didn't even think about turning it into a mini series. Can't wait.
Yes
I actually just finished this book about two weeks. It's in my favorites list now, and I would definitely watch the HBO show. It's certainly long enough to span at least 3 seasons.
John Stamos would ...actually be a really good Cal/Calliope. But he'd have to grow his hair out.
!!!
Awesome book
I'm reading this now!
Middlesex is actually one of
Middlesex is actually one of my most favorite books of all time. Both content and writing were superb and you don't always get that combo.
Hope they do it justice!
I have to finish reading The Danish Girl
before i can start this book. I'm so gonna be looking forward to this.
Daniela Sea should totally play the main character, F__K Zac Efron with something hard and sandpapery j/k. I'm just sick of seeing him.
I would love HBO for this.
MiddleSex Also One of My Fav Books
I've been wondering if this book was going to receive a screeplay adaption. So it is.
Thanks for the scoop. I looove,looove this book.
I think an unknown actor or actress should play Cal/Callie.
Dang, it just hit me. I have to wait until it comes out on DVD. I guess I'll wait.
Alright HBO
don't f*ck this one up.
Love the book. And the Effron joke - while not unexpected - cracked me up. :P
I'd love to see it!
I LOVE Middlesex
Oh. My God. This book is
Oh. My God. This book is truly a work of art. I locked myself in my room for three days and read the entire thing through.
I actually adapted a portion of the book into a screenplay for my final project in my Creative Writing class last year. I think it will be excellent as a series. I'm glad they're not making it into a movie, though, because that would just be boring. There wouldn't be enough time to explore the relationships and the connections and the real depth of the characters, and that would just make it seem like a history lesson.
In any case, I am SO EXCITED. I will definitely be tuning in.
Love the book!
no way!
Yeah Middlesex!
Zach Ephron
It would be nice to see an actor like Zach Ephron cast in this type of role. A lot of his fan base is used to heavily gender stereotypical roles. Not to start a gay or gender fluid conspiracy but he, or a mainstream heartthrob (heh) like him, could bring some much needed diversity and open the minds of people who arn't used to these themes being portrayed.
Haven't heard of the book but will check it out.
It will be interesting to see what Rita Wilson does with this. Never realized how gay her other projects have been.
what I did all weekend...
I hope they do a good job w/
I hope they do a good job w/ this adaptation, or else gender fluidity/intersexuality could become even more of a "joke"...but i don't think that will happen.
I think in the book Callie was not as "malcontent" as someone living out the wrong gender might be...
Please...no John Stamos....
where
do i find this book?...
Widely available
Awesome!