The Wilde-Chase series is 14 books strong with number 15 due in September. The series is part Indian Jones, part DaVinci Code, part Tomb Raider, part James Bond and despite all those parts has an unmistakable voice all its own. I suggest you find a copy of The Hunt for Atlantis and see for yourself. You'll thank me and then spend a while finding all the books that follow it.
Nina Wilde is a New York based archeologist and Eddie Chase is a former S.A.S. soldier hired to act as her bodyguard when one of her discoveries attracts the wrong kind of attention and puts her in peril. From that simple premise kicks off the most fun, witty, foul-mouthed, intense wild chase that I've ever read and the fun just rolls right on through books like The Tomb of Hercules, The Secret of Excalibur and another dozen novels.
So, Mr. Book Recommender, since these books have been around for more than a decade, why are you telling us about them now? Hmm?
Because, dear reader, this series of books that reads like a modern day Indiana Jones on speed are FINALLY getting some Hollywood love. It seems that Mr. McDermott finalized some legal stuff and has just a month ago been able to announce that the first movie, based on The Hunt for Atlantis, could start production as early as 2020.
YES! Obviously there will be Hollywood execs, casting issues, budget overruns and ultimately at least half the book fans will hate at least half of what we get on film, but that's all a ways off so I choose to stay positive and celebrate what might be! Who knows, maybe the Wilde-Chase film will kick off a wave of "witty couples dodge bullets and bad guys while trying to save the world" movies.
And of course, I have casting ideas. In the books, Nina Wilde is a mid-twenties recently Doctorated archaeologist with a sharp tongue and sass. In the early books she's a bit damsel in distress-y but even in the first books she's still pretty capable in a pinch. She's also whip-smart and naturally she's a knockout. My one AND ONLY casting choice for her is Blindspot's Patterson, Ashley Johnson.
Johnson ticks almost every Nina Wilde box except the natural red hair. She's gorgeous, she is EXTREMELY funny and great with quick-fire dialogue and she has a sort of innate geek-cred from some of her roles and her personal life that makes her totally believable in a role like a Doctor of Archeology. Miscasting Nina Wilde with a bimbo actress trying to play smart would kill the series before it gets off the ground, so listen up Hollywood and sign Ashley Johnson to a 7 movie deal NOW!
Eddie Chase is a bit more difficult to cast. In the books he's a less than conventionally attractive bald British guy with a heavy Yorkshire accent and the foul mouth of a special forces veteran. He's in his early to mid thirties, bald, tough and definitely not a Hollywood leading man. My first choice is Jerome Flynn, best known for playing the mercenary Bronn on Game of Thrones. Sadly, he's 56 and far too old to play the 30 something Eddie. I'd also love them to cast Idris Elba but he too is a bit too old to play 30ish. What's needed is a British 30 something version of Bruce Willis in his prime. The banter between the two leads is very Moonlighting and it's just too bad Willis is an old Yank and not an in his prime Yorkie. I'm betting that the role is knee-jerk casted to Jason Statham but he's too pretty for Eddie and too old too. I hope they find him out there. If I come across him, I'll let you know.
In the mean time, get your copy of The Hunt for Atlantis. Super stuff and it has the potential to be an absolutely spectacular movie. Man, I really hope!
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