Mark Haskell Smith's "Salty"

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Mark Haskell Smith is the author of three novels: Moist, Delicious, and, most recently, Salty, which was a Book Sense Notable Book. He is also is a screenwriter whose feature film credits include Playing God and the award-winning Brazilian film A Partilha.

Last year he applied the Page 69 Test to Salty. Here he develops some ideas for cast and director for a film adaptation of the novel:

Turk Henry, the protagonist of Salty, is a dissolute, sex addicted, Heavy Metal superstar. It’s difficult for me to put on my casting director cap and think of someone who could play him. There’s a specific physicality to him, a kind of cocksure waddle, that’s hard to find in today’s personally trained actor. The character is spoiled, pathetic and yet has the seeds of heroism gurgling around in his beer-bloated belly. I think Thomas Haden Church (Sideways) could bring the right mix of sex appeal and debauchery to the role or perhaps John Travolta in his puffy Pulp Fiction heyday.

For the character of Sheila, the fading former super model, I’d like to think there are a number of actresses who would have fun with the part like Marisa Tomei, Juliette Binoche or a post-rehab Sean Young. Presuming they enjoy spending the day naked in the shower.

Simon West (Con Air, The General’s Daughter) is already attached to direct the film version of the book and I honestly think he’s a great director for it. However, if couldn’t do it, I’d call Pedro Almodóvar. In fact, Almodovar probably should adapt and direct my Hawaiian novel, Delicious. ¿Pedro? ¿Has Leido?

Learn more about Salty at the author's website.

The Page 69 Test: Salty.

--Marshal Zeringue