Make it a Movie: Red Rising by Pierce Brown

In our Making it a Movie section we play the role of movie producers and map out the movie production. Currently Red Rising sits as both Dylan and Keith’s favorite book they’ve read and one that should absolutely be made into a movie.

Based on: Red Rising by Pierce Brown

Genre: Action/Dystopian Thriller

Logline: The perfect mix of Braveheart and Hunger Games

Darrow, born in the lowest cast of a futuristic world, has his eyes opened to the real world and the lies he’s been fed. He infiltrates the highest “Gold” class and attends the elite school. The school, which is really a Lord of the Flies/Hunger Games/survival of the fittest arena, tests him in all things related to war, leadership, friendship, love, hate and revenge.

Main Characters/Casting:

Darrow – he’s basically a young William Wallace, driven to revenge after the death of his wife, Darrow goes all Captain America and changes from a scrawny ‘Red’ miner into a Golden God (shoutout to Dennis Reynolds).

We need a young budding star that can carry this role. We went with Tom Holland, who is about as big as it gets as far as young stars. This role calls for a bit more darkness and anger than a Spiderman would, but it’d be a great test for the young Brit.

Tom Holland as Darrow

Sevro – Sevro is Darrow’s right hand man. An overlooked ‘low-draft’, turns out to be one of the best characters in the book. The blood soaked, wolves-skin draping ‘goblin’ is as loyal as he is crazy. For this role we need someone that is believable as a legit psycho. While Shia LaBeouf is likely on the older end, he just fits too perfect for this role. 

Shia LaBeouf as Sevro

Mustang – Mustang is initially Darrow’s adversary.  She quickly becomes known for her smarts and one of the only golds that shows heart/compassion. Anya Taylor-Joy already looks a Gold based on the books description, plus she is smart, cunning, and beautiful. Easy casting.

Anya Taylor-Joy as Mustang

Fitchner – Fitchner basically plays the role of Haymitch from Hunger Games. He’s profane, quick-witted and brutally honest. At the end of the day he has a good heart and good intentions. Perfect role for Gerald Butler who would make sense as a father figure to Darrow and Sevro.

Gerard Butler as Fitchner

Pax – Pax is a big, fierce, but ultimatly goofy warrior that screams out his name constantly in battle. Role was made for Gronk’s acting debut. 

Gronk as Pax
 

There are a lot of other characters we could cast here but for now we’ll stick with these. Let us know what we got wrong and who we’re missing!

Production Notes:

As of September 25th, 2021 – Pierce Brown confirmed that one “Netflix, Apple +, Disney, Amazon Prime, HBO” has shown interest in making Red Rising into a TV series. Seems like a no-brainer and if casted correctly could have the potential to be a multi-season hit (there are 5 Red Rising series books out now).  For now we’ll continue to cross our fingers and hope to see this dream become a reality. If any TV producers want to hit us up for casting suggestions, we’re ready.

Check out our full episode on the book here. Who do you think should play these characters? Let us know!

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