“We did develop it at one point”: Only 1 Marvel Actor Fits The Lead Role of George R.R. Martin’s Vampire Novel He Wanted Guillermo del Toro To Direct

SUMMARY

• Jon Bernthal's rugged intensity and physicality make him an ideal fit to play Abner Marsh in a potential adaptation of George R.R. Martin's Fevre Dream.
• George R.R. Martin has expressed his desire to adapt Fevre Dream into a film, and has even met with Guillermo del Toro to discuss the possibility.
• Martin has written a screenplay for Fevre Dream, but the project is currently stuck in limbo, and it remains uncertain if it will ever be made.

In the ever-expanding world of literary adaptations, it is a task most daunting to find the perfect cast. Since fans of literary works are often nitpicks and perfectionists, they want their favorites to be played by the perfect actor who not only embodies the spirit of the character but also matches the physical description.

George R.R. Martin | Image: Sanna Pudas, licensed under CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

And when it comes to the tantalizing potential big-screen adaptation of one George R.R. Martin novel, the vampire thriller Fevre Dream, there is only one Marvel actor who fits the bill.

The Marvel actor perfect for George R.R. Martin’s Fevre Dream adaptation

Jon Bernthal as The Punisher | Credit: Netflix

George R.R. Martin might have received worldwide fame for A Song of Ice and Fire, but he has written several impeccable books as well. One of his most famous and loved non-Game of Thrones novels is Fevre Dream. A hauntingly imaginative vampire novel, Martin had been envisioning it as a cinematic masterpiece for quite some while now.

While a live-action adaptation has not worked out till now, despite Martin’s desire to do so (via Winter is Coming), there is one Marvel actor who would fit right into the role of the rugged and intense Abner Marsh: Jon Bernthal. Although Martin had been wanting to rope in Ron Perlman as Marsh, The Punisher star seems born to play the gruff yet honorable steamboat captain.

Abner Marsh is no ordinary protagonist for despite being in his mid-forties, he possesses immense physicality and grit, along with an unwavering moral compass. Given his fierce portrayal of Frank Castle in The Punisher and a more nuanced performance in dramas like King Richard, the Marvel star has all the talent, gravitas, and physicality to bring such a complex and grounded character to life.

George R.R. Martin wants Guillermo del Toro to adapt Fevre Dream

Guillermo del Toro | Credit: CBS News / YouTube

This year while at the World Science Fiction Convention, Winter is Coming caught up to George R.R. Martin. Discussing his works other than A Song of Ice and Fire, Martin revealed he has a screenplay ready for his 1982 novel Fevre Dream, which was once close to turning into a movie.

I love Fevre Dream, and I’ve had numerous meetings. I’ve written a screenplay for Fevre Dream, we did develop it at one point. They didn’t make the screenplay of course, but the rights reverted to me, so I own it.

Not only does he own the screenplay, but the writer has also met with the acclaimed director Guillermo del Toro to potentially direct the film.

I’ve had meetings with Guillermo del Toro about Fevre Dream. He loves it, he says he wants to do it…but he doesn’t want to do it now. He always has this project first and that project first, and then this other project. But eventually he’ll do Fevre Dream, if he lives that long and I live that long and movies live that long, I don’t know…I think Fevre Dream would be great.

Given Guillermo del Toro’s talent and work, Martin could not have chosen a better director. With its rich storytelling, intriguing characters, and setting, the novel has all the makings of a cinematic masterpiece. However, the project is currently stuck in limbo and it remains uncertain if it will ever see the light of the day.

Written by Maria Sultan

Articles Published: 1982