Again, casting Orchus is going to be made very difficult. Not only do you have racial factors to consider, but there is also a neuroatypical factor. When people think black and mentally challenged in film, all anyone sees is Cuba Gooding Jr. in 2003's Radio. Now, that was made in a very different time, as was I Am Sam with Sean Penn - both instances of neurotypical people playing someone with needs. I think here, you would want to find someone who is African American and truly on the Spectrum to play Orchus.

Why do I feel like Enobaria and Hal might have gotten along...perhaps it's just the thought of another victor/victor romance, and between two very different Careers to boot...but it kind of piques my curiosity. I think the story you set up with her and the guy from 11 was cool and fit her personality well, I think I just want to see what Hal would have been like around other victors too.

For any characters who appear in the movies, I gennnnerally would just go with their actors who were shown there.

Actually you know what? Ahenobarbus reminds me a little of Haymitch in a way. They both have a bit of that confident, cynical but high standard sort of carrying, and a dry, dark sense of humour. Both have a somewhat spiteful side though obviously Ahenobarbus’ goes much further. I presume they must have met on the Victory Tour, and perhaps a couple of times after that? Also, if Ahenobarbus admired Gates’ intelligence and creativity, perhaps it’s even more likely he may have thought the same of Haymitch. This is ignoring the contradiction of him being said to still be in good health in Cecilias story but an ‘exhausted, reclusive arthritis ridden ghost’ in Enobarias.

And while we’re at it, thinking back to the older victors, oddly they match with some other Marvel actors: Tom Hiddleston as Gleam, Natalie Portman as Vera, Chris Evans as Mannanan?

I fully endorse Garrett Hedlund as Phoebus.

Blight, on the other hand, present a bit of a problem. Diversity of casting demands that he be played by a gay actor, although Hollywood has been falling down on that (note Jake Gyllenhall’s casting as Bruce in an upcoming film adaptation of Fun Home). Casting appropriation is a very complicated matter.

Still, and I can’t believe I’m going against what I just laid out above…. I would tap Andrew Garfield as Blight. He has the look, and the acting chops playing Jonathan Larson in Tick, Tick Boom, to pull off Blight’s arrogant swagger.

On an aside note… cameo casting: Elton John as an older Martinus Spickle. He has the paunch and flamboyance for it, although there wouldn’t be any singing required.

Ming-Na Wen (Mulan, The Book of Boba Fett) as Song. She has the fierceness and beauty required, but could also be soft.

Looking ahead, let’s go with a bold choice: Ariana Grande as Berenice.

Excluding the characters we see in the movies, perhaps:

-young dark haired Jude Law as Eamon Sullivan
-Teresa Palmer as Silk Seville
-young(er) Zoe Kravitz as Cotton
-Garrett Hedlund as Phoebus
-Kate Winslet as Jade (I actually really like this one)
-young Hugo Weaving as Ahenobarbus? Not certain on this one

I never noticed any mention of Cora’s ethnicity so I suppose Eva Green is out, my mistake.

I would peg Zoey Deutch as an attractive Cecelia Rheys!

With her illustrious red hair, I think Kaitlyn Dever would be an exceptional choice to play the part of Circe. She's quiet, petite, much like Circe presents herself here.

Ariana deBose as Wren. It helps that deBose identifies as queer, as Wren clearly has a female lover.

This brings up a key question of diversity. In the canon movie universe, it seems as though all the African American people are in District 11, and then everywhere else... it's pretty racially hegenemous. There would have to be diversity and inclusion across as many of the Victors as possible.

Thomas Ian Griffith would be PERFECT as Luster! And Martin Kove as Ahenobarbus. Watching their dynamic outside of the Karate Kid/Cobra Kai universe - especially as District 1 versus District 2 rivals - would be quite fascinating.

I love reading this, so creative and enjoyable. Definitely takes up some of my spare time too. I come from TOTHG so it's a nice change of writing style too.

Despite everything else about this story, I was always slightly disappointed that Porter Tripp and Augustus Braun weren't on the list. I was always curious if you never knew about their existence at the time of writing the story, or if you did but they weren't canon enough to include, and in fairness Augustus' name is a bit odd for District 1. I think if you'd included Augustus you would have had to take out one of the other 1 victors. 14 is a tiny bit much. I would recommend Crystal since she was probably the least important to the story. Maybe Emrys would have won earlier to space out the 5 victors if Porter were here. That would mean losing another victor, for which I would recommend Brilliance, which still leaves 1 at 12 victors which is still a pretty great tally! But your list is still yours of course.

Nonethless Wonder is a compelling character and...yeah it's always good to see Luster at his best. His most dastardly best. I would say most batshit insane victor award, though, is still within the reach of Ben, Halibut and Boudicca as well. Between the four of them.

Wow. This chapter was so good!

Amazing!

I really enjoyed this chapter, perhaps more than the rest.