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Last month, Emily and I had a like so totally deep conversation about who should be cast in our fantasy film version of Claire Messud's novel The Emperor's Children. We decided on Jeff Daniels as Murray Thwaite, because he'd played a very similar character in Noah Baumbach's The Squid and the Whale. And, oh ho! Would you look at that—Baumbach has just been hired to write the screenplay! But we're a little peeved that he wasn't tapped to direct. Instead, Universal chose... Ron Howard? This is all wrong. You can't have the same man responsible for Splash and Backdraft taking on what is, essentially, a comedy of manners. Well, hopefully they'll take our advice and get Liv Tyler to play Marina. IF THEY KNOW WHAT'S GOOD FOR THEM.

Howard Ready to Father 'Children'; Baumbach to Adapt Messud Novel for Universal [Variety]
Earlier: Casting 'The Emperor's Children'