Pirate Latitudes ~ whowouldUcast.com

I just finished reading Michael Crichton's "Pirate Latitudes." When I read I usually create a character in my mind, usually an actor or actress, but sometimes a blend of a few people. Ironically, the book has been optioned by Spielberg and it has yet to be cast. For me, Pirate Latitudes has the following roles:

Captain Charles Hunter:
A privateer who leads the Cassandra on their journey for treasure. Born in 1627, Hunter is originally from the Massachusetts Bay Colony with a Harvard education.

For this character I see Nathan Fillion, playing a similar role to Malcolm Reynolds from the Firefly TV series.

Sanson:
Sanson is a visual interpretation of the word assassin, with the exception of his surprisingly high voice. Notorious for being the most ruthless killer in the Caribbean, this Frenchman's skills include the sword, pistol, crossbow and negotiations. He is, however, distrusted by many Englishmen due to his nationality.

This is a picture of Andy Serkis playing the villain in "Little Dorrit." I loved him in this role, and despite the fact that his appearance is different from Crichton's description (a larger...perhaps heavyset man,) I believe he is the perfect Sanson. If you see Serkis in Little Dorritt, you'll know what I mean.

Don Diego a.k.a. Black Eye a.k.a. the Jew:
Don Diego runs a jewelry shop in Port Royal. He is a very intelligent man, able to create and invent many instruments to suit his own need or that of his mates. In his past, he also worked with gunpowder and armaments, costing him three fingers and permanently blackening his eye (hence the name Black Eye)

I imagine Robert Downey doing a hilarious character piece such as he did in Tropic Thunder...

Lazue:
Lazue has excellent marksmanship and extraordinary vision, able to see far more accurately than anyone else. Raised as a man, this woman is able to confuse her enemies by baring her breasts and gain advantage. Her ability to traverse through shallow waters and coral reefs make her an important asset to the Cassandra.

I imagine Barbara Bobulova who I first saw in the 2009 TV movie: Coco Chanel.

Enders:
While in Port Royal, Mr. Enders operates as a barber-surgeon. While at sea, he is a helmsman, able to read and steer the Cassandra perfectly due to his innate ability. His relationship to the ship makes his experience needed many times during the voyage.

I think Dominic Monaghan would be terrific in this role.

Bassa a.k.a. The Moor:

A huge dark man, this giant is mute. After he avenged the man who cut off his tongue and killed his wife, the Moor escaped to Port Royal to make a living. Communicating with gestures, he provides an image of intimidation in addition to his strength and power.

Michael Clarke Duncan....a no-brainer.

Sir James Almont:
Governor of Jamaica, Almont resides in Port Royal, where he oversees his duties. Known locally as "James the Tenth" due to his privateering expeditions that lead to his own personal tenth shares of treasure, it is Almont who hires the services of Captain Hunter.

Although a few actors came to mind, I believe John Noble would be perfect.

Robert Hacklett:
A young and loyal man of England, Mr. Hacklett begins as a secretary hired to assist Governor Almont. Hacklett is a man of many words who throws them around with disregard of consequence. In his eyes, all privateering expeditions of Charles Hunter appear to be piratical ventures.

Tom Hollander- I imagined Hacklett to be the perfect asshole...Tom is a great actor and I think of his wonderful performance in Pride and Prejudice.

Cazalla:
A Spaniard who commands the Spanish fortress of Matanceros. He has a violent history with both Don Diego and Captain Hunter, yet has never met either. A brutal man, he also commands a warship that guards the naos in Matanceros' harbor. A villain in many respects.

Ian McShane has the perfect look for Cazalla

Whisper:
The only survivor of a raid on Matanceros: has his throat cut by Cazalla, thus the "whisper"