A return to The Stand casting - Part 4

Since my last post about casting the new version of The Stand, I have done some thinking. I've come up with some new suspects to throw in the ring and also recasting an actor I had already cast earlier. I have been really enjoying this. I have been visiting other websites and looking at those ideas for casting, some I love, some I'm like "not really", others I'm like "have you even read the book?" But in the end it got me to thinking and I have filled in some important roles that I left out before. So journey with me once again into the fertile mind of SK and a post apocalyptic land.

Ralph Brentner - Good ol' boy. Sunburned, wearing a beat up cowboy hat and driving an old pickup truck. He is uneducated but farm smart and can fix anything. His introduction is picking up Nick and Tom on the rode after their near fatal run in with Julie Lawry. I always pictured him as older but long and lean with the squinty eyes of someone who spends a great deal of time outdoors. As a long time fan of Quantum Leap, I would love to see Scott Backula in this part. Plus he is so talented to boot.

Mother Abigail - The incredibly old black woman who brings all of the good people to her through dreams. First to her home in Nebraska and then eventually to Boulder Colorado. Every site I have visited always mentions Ruby Dee reprising her role as Mother Abigail but I wanted to think outside the box. Nichelle Nichols, of Lt. Uhura fame, is the right age (with a little help from makeup) and I think she is a good actress. It would be great to see her given the chance to break out of the type casting as a Star Trek veteran and really stretch her chops.

Harold Lauder - Starts out overweight  and covered in acne, he is the younger brother of Frannie's best friend. He is still in high school and has a huge crush on Frannie. He is insecure and hides it with pretension and obnoxiousness. When he is rebuffed by Frannie after she falls for Stu, he sides with the Walking Dude ending with tragic consequences. Another poster recommended Paul Dano for this role but he is too old but his looks made me think of another excellent actor who just had a feature role in the new X-Men movie and was so good in About A Boy, Nicholas Hoult.

Dayna Jurgens -Pretty, bisexual former PE teacher from Ohio. After Stu's party rescues her and Sue Stern from violent rapists she shows some interest in Stu much to Frannie's annoyance. She eventually heads out West with the Judge and Tom to spy on the Walking Dude. She never makes it home. She is an important character and her death is one of the first indications that evil will not triumph. I think that James King would be just fine in this role. Her looks are what I have pictured Dayna would look like and she is not a bad actress.

I have a few more to share tomorrow, plus the recasting decision. Once again comments are always welcome as well as your ideas for casting. I'm still looking for a Leo.