Okay, so I ran a “Mug for a Mug” contest recently on Facebook, asking who everyone thought would make the perfect doppelganger for the series’ characters. I thought I would cross post the responses here, since some of them were so good. I had too many to do all at once, though, so I’ll post one grouping a day for a week. Up first: Who else but Lord Mircea?
First, a little info for the uninitiated. Mircea Basarab, five-hundred-year-old master vampire, brother of Dracula, and senior member of the Vampire Senate, is the all around swoon-worthy leading man (so to speak) of the Cassie Palmer series. He’s fond of fast cars, fast women and couture (Armani for everyday wear, and Brioni when he wants to make a statement). If Mircea was doing a personal ad, which he most definitely doesn’t need, it might read something like this:
SWV seeks single lady for agreeable, short term relationship. Me: thirty-ish, 6′, brown hair and eyes. You: open to negotiation, but must enjoy the night life. Bubbly blonds a plus, as long as they enjoy shopping, travel and running up the balance on my credit cards, but not destroying large buildings. An interest in designer footwear is appreciated. Blood donors a plus! If interested, call 555-vampire.
So who could possibly embody our Mircea? People have suggested the following:
The all around, hands-down favorite in the Mircea impersonation game is model Andrei Andrei. He has the right hair, the right touch of the exotic and–even better–he’s actually Romanian! Plus he models for Mircea’s favorite brand, Armani. I was deluged with pics of Andrei, but this one is probably the most Mircea-ish.
The next favorite is Brazilian model Pedro Perestrello, who–surprise–also models for Armani. I am beginning to sense a trend. And, bonus, he did a vampire vid (okay, an ad for a candy bar, but still), set in Venice! I laughed for ages when I found it, because it’s hysterical, and because the upcoming Mircea short, “Masks”, is also set there. Sometimes, coincidences are scary. Here’s the vid, if you’re curious:
Eduardo Verastegui is next, the Mexican model, singer and actor. He’s one of those guys whose face seems to change in every photo. In some, like this one, I kind of see a resemblance, in others not.
Next up is Theo Alexander, a greek actor who played on True Blood. And while I think he makes a good vamp, he looks a little young for Mircea to me. But YMMV. Maybe he could be young Mircea.
Okay, not feeling this one. Richard Roxburgh has played a vampire, yes, in fact he played THE vampire–Dracula–in Van Helsing. But honestly, I can’t. I only see his undoubtedly brilliant but oh-so-creepy performance as the Duke in Moulin Rouge and…shudder. No, no I just…we’re moving on now–
To Brad Pitt? Honestly? Especially Brad Pitt as Louis in Interview With A Vampire? I mean, great book–seriously, go read it if you’ve somehow missed it all these years. But Louis? Sweet, darling, too-kind-for-a-vampire Louis? Because that doesn’t exactly say Mircea to me. But that’s the fun of books, you can see the characters any way you want. As for me, I’m sticking with Andrei and Pedro. ;-)
