When I read a Grisham novel, I like to visualize possible local settings and imagine which actors might play certain characters in the movie version.

Grisham told Charlie Rose in an interview last month that the chance of “The Appeal” becoming a movie was 50/50. “This is book No. 21,” Grisham said. “I’ve only had 8 movies.”

It’s noteworthy that three of the eight had scenes that were filmed in Memphis. (Remember the 1993 auction of opulent furniture and set decorations from “The Firm” at the old International Harvester plant in Frayser.)

I think Grisham’s book might eventually make it to a theater near you. There’s plenty of potential for cinematic excitement in the story of two small town lawyers battling evil corporations and corrupt politicians. Also Mississippi is one of 39 states that elects judges, and this timely issue (see Sandra Day O’Connor’s article in the Feb. 24 Parade) is central to Grisham’s plot.

“The Appeal” has no Memphis scenes and takes place mostly in south Mississippi, but with the proper incentives and lobbying, perhaps the redoubtable Linn Sitler could lure moviemakers to the Memphis area to re-create the book’s settings.

SCOUTING THE LOCATIONS
“The Appeal” begins with a verdict in a Hattiesburg courtroom. Two local lawyers win $41 million from a Manhattan-based chemical company for their client whose husband and son died of cancer caused by polluted water.

If the movie were filmed here, what local spots could represent the Hattiesburg courthouse? I like Tipton County’s picturesque Courthouse Square in Covington. Or perhaps, the DeSoto County Courthouse; it’s photogenic. And to stand in for the abandoned industrial park (”everything was overgrown with kudzu and weeds”) of the fictional Krane Chemical Plant, lots of places in our area would fit the cinematic bill. The aforementioned International Harvester plant comes to mind or maybe parts of the old Defense Depot, For the Gulf Coast casino scenes, it would be easy to substitute Tunica.

And while we’re thinking about locations, let’s also speculate on what Hollywood actors might be cast for roles in the movie (if availability and money were no object).

CHOOSING THE ACTORS
The Good Guys
Wes and Mary Grace Payton are the local husband and wife legal team who have bankrupted themselves trying to bring Krane Chemical to justice.
Wes - (Joaquin Phoenix because he “Walked the Line” with some success in Memphis in 2004)
Mary Grace - (Laura Linney - because she’s a great actress or Amy Adams - she proved in “Junebug” that she can muster a decent Southern accent)

Jeannette Baker - lost her husband and son to cancer and is suing Krane Chemical (Felicity Huffman for her ability to sob frequently and convincingly)

Sheila McCarthy - is campaigning for re-election to the Mississippi Supreme Court; In her 50’s, divorced twice, she’s a fair-minded moderate who is the swing vote on the 9-member court (Susan Sarandon, because of her sympathetic portrayal of a lawyer in “The Client.”)

Nat Lester – campaign manager for Sheila McCarthy. A former alcoholic, he’s a lawyer who “found a new wife, sobered up, and resurfaced in Jackson, where he embraced Buddhism, yoga, vegetarianism, and a simpler life-style” (Hal Holbrook who’s hot right now because of his role in “Into the Wild”)

The Good/Bad Guy
Ron Fisk - As a candidate for the Mississippi Supreme Court, Fisk is manipulated by the business interests funding his campaign. Here’s how he’s described in the book, “Young white male, one marriage, three children, reasonably handsome, reasonably well-dressed, conservative, devout Baptist, Ole Miss law school” (Josh Brolin – maybe his dad could have a part too).

The Bad Guys
Carl Trudeau – 61-year old CEO of Manhattan- based Krane Chemical and number 310 on the Forbes list of the 400 richest Americans. He has perfectly dyed hair, half gray and lives in a penthouse overlooking Central Park. His reaction to the $41 million verdict – “Not one dime of our hard-earned profits will ever get in the hands of those trailer park peasants.” (Michael Douglas – remember “Wall Street”)

Brianna - Carl’s trophy wife, a 31-year old blonde, size 2 with amazing legs and fantastic new breasts (Tara Reid)
Clete Coley – a decoy candidate for the state Supreme Court; he’s “a big (6’ 4″, 280 pounds) loud, hard-drinking rogue of a lawyer who made more money at the casinos than he did at the office.” (Fred Thompson – no accent worries, and he may be looking for work)

Senator Rudd - described beautifully by Grisham as “a legend in Mississippi politics, the fixer, the inveterate meddler in local races, the king who picked his candidates, the assassin who slaughtered those who ran against his candidates, the bank who could finance any race and funnel hoards of cash, the wise old man who led his party, and the thug who destroyed the others.” When we first meet him he’s wearing a dark suit and red tie with “thick shiny gray hair plastered to the left and held in place with no small amount of spray; large round face that seemed to grow thicker each year.” (Philip Seymour Hoffman based on his wonderful turn in “Charlie Wilson’s War.”)

Barry Rinehart - the consultant Trudeau hires to rig the election for the Supreme Court seat (surely, there’s a part for Morgan Freeman somewhere?)

What are your casting suggestions for the movie? Are you glad Grisham’s is writing legal thrillers again? In your opinion, how does “The Appeal” compare to his earlier novels?