Ranger and Morelli Cast For Stephanie Plum Movie

Ever since I first heard that this movie is happening, I’ve been impatiently waiting to find out who Stephanie Plum’s leading men would be.  I really do dig Katherine Heigl as Stephanie and was really worried that they would go all wrong with the casting of Ranger and Morelli.  I was also keen to see if, by some slim chance, they went with my choices, but no such luck.

That doesn’t mean it’s all bad though… let’s have a little look-see at who will be playing these two men that are so near and dear to our hearts.

JOE MORELLI

morelli

Wikipedia description of the character:

Joe Morelli is Stephanie’s on-and-off boyfriend, a former bad boy turned vice cop. He is also known as Officer Hottie or the Italian Stallion. Her history with Morelli started with a “choo choo” incident when she was six. At the age of sixteen, Stephanie lost her virginity to Morelli in the Tasty Pastry shop behind the éclair stand, after which he never called (but left quite a few flattering messages in bathroom and stadium walls around town). Three years later she saw Morelli and ran over him with her father’s Buick, breaking his leg. A few years later in One for the Money Morelli was suspected of murder and was her first FTA, and Stephanie chased him around town, much to his annoyance….

At various times, both Stephanie and Morelli have seriously considered marriage, but never at the same time. They both know they’re not ready for commitment, but often comment on the idea together and have lived together more than once. Their relationship runs cold as a result of many arguments – usually over her job (She’s been known to stress Morelli enough that he tends to takes Rolaids & Maalox and tells her that he is quickly deteriorating because of her) and they eventually lead to her relationship with Ranger. Being that both were born & bred in Trenton, whatever happens to/around her usually has a number of others calling Morelli to inform him – cars being blown, bodies being found, etc. He’s said that he doesn’t even need to listen to the radio anymore; he knows she’s always involved (usually by some illegal means) and that he always gets calls about her and the latest situation she’s in.

Afraid I’ll have to cut it there as anything else will just spoil it for those of you who aren’t familiar with the story.

Morelli will be played by Jason O’Mara, who is most well known for his leading role in Life on Mars. I have never watched it as I’m not a big fan of shows that originate from trying to rip off really intelligently written British shows, but well… he looks cute enough.  Not exactly what I had in mind for Morelli, but I can see a faint glimmer of it there.  I somehow imagined him to be the real black haired, dark, Italian type, but my choice was Jeffrey Dean Morgan and he doesn’t exactly fit that description either.

I’m not screaming for joy here but I’m not particularly bothered by it either.  It can still go either way for me and I won’t know until I actually see him in the film.  Although, I may set aside my hatred for watered down American versions of British shows and watch Life on Mars, purely for research purposes.  I will have to get back to you on that.

RANGER

ranger2

Wikipedia description of the character:

Ranger is Stephanie’s fellow bounty hunter and tutor and sometimes known as Batman because of his mysterious ways. Ranger is Cuban-American, with mocha latte skin that can only be described as yum, always wears black or camo green, and drives a rotation of very expensive black cars (Stephanie has lingering questions about the origin of Ranger’s car-supply, but he will only say ‘Don’t ask’). He is the C.E.O. of RangeMan, Inc., a security company (among other things).

Stephanie’s relationship with Ranger, somewhere between boyfriend/girlfriend and teacher/pupil, provides much of her day-to-day stress, along with the almost constant threat of car bombing. Ranger says he loves Stephanie “in his own way” but isn’t the marrying type. Even if she is on with Morelli, it doesn’t stop Ranger from kissing or flirting with her, nor does she do much to discourage his advances. Regardless of his rivalry with Morelli, he has said that “Morelli is a good man” and is the marrying type Stephanie wants. Ranger does high-dollar or high-risk recovery for Vinnie, and sometimes lends Stephanie a hand with some of the more dangerous or slippery FTAs. He often assigns employees to guard or track her when she is in serious danger. Ranger “bleeds money” every time Stephanie requires protection, which is frequently; she minds, but he doesn’t so much – she actually appears as a line item in his budget (where she’s listed under “entertainment”).

As a result of him often coming to her aid or rescue, she has built up quite a tab with him and he has said that one day, he will collect.

Ranger will be played by Daniel Sunjata, who is most famous for his role as the hottie Franco Rivera on Rescue Me.   As for him playing Ranger? Two words… YES PLEASE!!!!!

I challenge you to watch Rescue Me and not think this man was carved out of a piece of heaven itself.  He is HOT!  He can play it cool and he can definitely play a ladies man, as I’m sure whoever came up with the term ladies man obviously met Franco Rivera!  Given the appropriate wardrobe and a good script, he CAN be Ranger, I’m certain of it.   To be honest, I’m not sure why I hadn’t come up with him myself when I was thinking of possibilities.  I think because I imagined Ranger to be harder, someone with a bit more of a rough look or perhaps having played more ‘fighty’ roles in the past (hence my choosing Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson initially), but I think he can do it.  We’ve just not seen him in that kind of role yet, or I haven’t at least.

As with Heigl, I am 100% behind Sunjata as Ranger.  The jury is still out on the Morelli casting, I will have to look into the actor a bit more before I can say either way.

I’m excited about this, really friggin’ excited!  The more castings that happen and the closer the movie comes to being a reality, the more eager I am to see it.  Especially now after seeing these castings.  That said, it could all go to shit if they don’t choose wisely for Grandma Mazur and Lula, as they are pretty central characters that are loved by all.  Get those two wrong and they may as well not even bother making the film.

I will be keeping my eyes peeled for any casting news in regards to those two, for sure, but in the meantime… what do YOU think of these guys playing our leading men??

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245 comments

  1. I would have loved to see Timothy Olyphant from Justified as Morelli… that guy is Awesome, with his hair a little longer…. HOT!!! As for Ranger, the rock is too old, I like the guy they have!

  2. This is the first I have heard about a Stephanie Plum movie and now I CANNOT WAIT for it to happen! I think Heigl would be great as Stephanie. I think Betty White for Grandma Mazur and Sherri Shepard from The View for Lula would both be great also. And first choice for Vinnie would be Steve Buscemi, he soooooo looks the part but Joe Pesci would be ok to.

    • I can see Heigl as Stephanie and absolutely agree with you on Steve Buscemi as Vinnie. They couldn’t pick worse with their choice for Morelli. Check out James Purefoy from A Knight’s Tale. I think he even has a scar in his eyebrow!! Jeffrey Dean Morgan would be my 2nd choice.

  3. Morelli is all wrong…that guy couldn’t peek up a skirt like Joe. How about Eddie Cibrian…and The Rock as Ranger…that fella you guys picked is cute, but not big and rough enough looking…..picture the Rock saying “Babe”. That guy you guys picked as Morelli could not spit out “cupcake” no way no how. And my daughters and I agree, though we love Kathryn, we prefer Sandra Bullock in that role…she would be the Stephanie spitfire….When will this picture come out?

  4. Everybody is saying that Katherine Heigel is the wrong choice for Stephanie, I would perfer Jennifer love-Hewett as I’ve already stated earlier, but I say give Katherine a shot. Remember how nobody thought Tom Cruise could pull off Lestat in “Interview With The Vampire”, not even Anne Rice approved of him, that was until she started to see the daily’s and fell in love with him in the role.

  5. Okay, I’ve been a fan of the Stephanie Plum books for a long time. This movie is long over due. A few years ago I gave serious thought as to who should play what role and this what I came up with: Stephanie Plum- Jennifer Love-Hewett, Morrelli- Matt LeBlanc, Ranger- Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson, Grandma Mazar- Betty White, Stephanie’s dad- John Goodman, Lula- Queen Latifa, Cousin Vinnie- Danny DeVito. I’ld like to hear your thoughts on my choices. Thanks.

  6. Sorry…just cannot see Katherine Heigal as Stephanie. Needs to be re-cast with Sandra Bullock. Whatever her schedule, wait for her. Also, hoping for Queen Latifah for Lula. How about Betty White for Gramma?

  7. Sandra Bullock as stephanie is the only choice. Take some artistic license and age the bounty hunter! I thought of the Rock, too. Morello was the hardest foe mr, until I saw Matt LeBlanc on TV the other night. He is aging very well and is leaving Joey from friends behind.

  8. I agree with most people, Sandra Bullock would be perfect as Stephanie.
    also Queen Latifa – Lula
    Dwayne Johnson – Ranger
    David B (Sealy from Bones) – Joe
    Betty White – Grandma
    Joe Pesci – Vinny
    I own and have read every Plum book. Have been looking forward to a movie, but with the casting so for, will skiop the movies and stay with books. That way the cast is perfect in my mind.

  9. Heres who I think they should role:

    Stephanie: I think Anne Hathaway would be WAY better than Heigel.

    Morelli: Joe Manganiello, I mean, seriously…

    Lula: Monique! Or Queen Latifa, either is fine

    Ranger: I am NOT happy about Daniel Sunjata. I don’t know who, but someone could make a better Ranger BY FAR!!

  10. The casting director needs a new couch! Sandra Bullock for Stephanie! Heigl is AWFUL! Shemar Moore (Criminal Minds) or L.L. Cool J (NCIS LosAngeles) for Ranger. I don’t care about Morelli since you’ve screwed up the other main characters. Might as well keep a perfectly horrible cast going. I won’t bother to see this movie and I was SO looking forward to it!

  11. Lula Should be played by Queen Latifa
    Connie should be played by the lady From the Nanny
    Honestly i think Sandra bullock would be great as Stephanie Plum
    and Grandma Mazzer should SOOOO be Betty White :)
    And Danny Devito as Vinnie :)

  12. Stephanie: Anne Hathaway
    Morelli: Alex O’Laughlin (Hawaii 5-O)
    Ranger: Jason Momoa (Stargate Atlantis, the new Conan)

    I’m stumpted for Lula and Grandma Mazur but love the idea of Debi Mazur as Connie. I was also thinking of
    Steve Buscemi as Vinnie.

    • Lula Should be played by Queen Latifa
      Connie should be played by the lady From the Nanny
      Honestly i think Sandra bullock would be great as Stephanie Plum
      and Grandma Mazzer should SOOOO be Betty White :)
      And Danny Devito as Vinnie :)

  13. Oh, and when they originally starting talking about the movie, I had in mind Cameron Diaz as Stephanie, but it took so long, she is actually too old now. And yes Benjamin Bratt would be a perfect Ranger!!!

  14. Computer malfunction earlier. Give Jason O’Mara a chance.
    He was spectacular on Life on Mars. When they picked Katherine Heigl, they were going off the playbook anyway.
    Jason looks more Italian than Katherine. They are all good actors. There is no law that says that characters have to look exactly like they did in the book. Of course, the ideal cast would be young Michael Nouri as Joe, young Sandra Bullock as Stephanie and young Jimmy Smits as Ranger, but then the perfect James Bond would be Errol Flynn or Cary Grant. Can’t have everything.

  15. Sandra Bullock as Stephanie and John Hamm as Morelli!

  16. Ok, I’ve read all the Plum books and I just don’t understand your choice for Stephanie? Stephanie is a young Italian girl, so whats with Katherine, she much older! Come on, she doesn’t fit the part, Sandra Bullock is so much better. And your choice for Morelli is oh so wrong. You are blowing it for everyone. I would not even watch this movie, for it would just ruin the whole series for me.! Makes me wonder if you’ve read, much less understand any of the characters.

  17. Katherine Higel is not Stephanie Plum. No lie I was speechless when I heard she was cast. I may not even watch the movie. As for Morelli this guy is not even close. Hes too old. I cant even look at the pic too much because I dont want to spoil it. Ryan Reynolds is very hot but not italian but neither is this other guy. Sandra Bullock is awesome but she is too old. Stephanie is 30. I like Amy Adams! Ranger I think is a good pick I would go with Dwayne Johnson just because he is beautiful. Queen Latifa is not a ho. Not once did I see her as Lula. I just got done with hot six so I am still being introduced to some of characters. Is it too late to change the cast. It should be the first movie where we get to vote on the cast.

  18. I pictured Sandra Bullock as Stephany, Benjamin Bratt as
    Ranger, Bradley Cooper as Morrelli.HOT HOT HOT!!!!!
    Betty White is perfect as Gramma Mazur, Joe Pescie is a great Vinnie. I can see Loni Love as Lula.
    So far they haven’t gotten any pick right. The people they pick should closely resemble the characters they portray.
    PLEASE THINK about your choices for Stephany, Morrelli and Ranger before you ruin the movie.

  19. I always imagined Benjamin Bratt as Morelli. He is perfect to me, lean hot, actually italian!! Anne Hathaway would have been great as Stephanie too.

    • I agree he is absolutely hot but Benjamin Bratt isn’t italian. I thought he was hispanic of some sort and it says on imdb.com that he is half Peruvian (Qechua) and half German. But I agree with you about Ann Hathaway!

  20. No way!! Neither one of them is right. I can’t believe you people who agree with this atroscity!!!

    Your Morelli does not look the least bit Italian, hello, Morelli is Italian!!!

    And I just hate Daniel Sunjata. He is NOT Ranger, by a long shot. If you can’t do any better than this, leave it alone.

  21. Katherine Heigl is a great actress, but she is not Stephanie Plum. Stephanie is a tomboy wears no make up and owns one dress….Katherine really??? Please listen to the readers and get someone who fits the character, messy hair, plain clothes, and a junk food junky.
    The pick for Morelli is just plain silly ( I loved Life On Mars by the way).
    Rangers pick is perfect!
    Grandma Mazur need to be cast very carefully..someone small, old and likes to have purple hair.
    Stephanies mom, dad and sister should be easy so please get that much right.
    Kathy Bates should be considered for Connies part, just an idea.

  22. Okay how about Jeffery Donovan (Michael Weston, Burn Notice) as Morilli. I think he could pull it off.

  23. Anne Hathaway or Rachel McAdams as Stephanie Plum
    Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Joe Morelli
    Daniel Sunjata as Ranger (if he lets his hair grow out and gain 10-15 pounds
    Joe Pesci as Vinnie (He’s been cousin Vinny before)
    Debi Mazar as Connie
    Sheri Shepard as Lula
    Betty White as Grandma Mazur

    Sandra Bullock would break the movie budget. Plus she is actually too old. You want all the players to be believable so that they can do more then one movie. Five years from now some of those choices will need botox to continue playing their part.

    Queen Latifah is physically too big and her personality would upstage the Stephanie Plum character. Lula is a small big woman. Jason O’mara is not hunky or Italian. Dwayne Johnson aka The Rock is too bulky and not a great actor. His muscles make my heart throb but his voice and his presence are not smoldering enough.

    They have to get it right or the first one could be the last.

  24. OH-EM-GEE I cant believe who they chose for Morelli & Ranger!!!!(I’m sure they are good actors) But they are not Morelli & Ranger…. I can kinda see Heigl as Stephanie & I think Sherri Shepperd is a good Lola actually.
    I feel betrayed by these choices…UGH!!

  25. I think the casting in this movie is spot on..awful. Heigl sucks and ruins ever movie she’s in! Amy Adams or Drew Barrymore would have been great. Mark Rufalo or Jeffrey Dean Morgan would have been perfect for Morelli. Ranger..that guy is cute, he’s fine, I kind of pictured Dwayne Johnson though. But I’m so disappointed and sad for Stephanie and Joe, they deserve so much better. Heigl is so dull and has no comedic talent and frankly is a poor actress. I don’t think I will pay to see this movie. Very sad. So much they could have done with these characters. Oh well. What am I to do, I’m just a fan not a casting agent.

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