Where's Waldo is perhaps on of the greatest series of books that doesn't require you to actually read anything because all it is pictures with Waldo hidden somewhere in them; usually in plain sight. How that translates into a movie as this distressing piece of news suggests, I don't know because the only director who ever successfully took the idea of hiding something in plain sight in a movie was Alfred Hitchcock because he hid himself in plain sight. I mean I know that the series was turned it into an animated series in the 1990's that was originally titled Where' Wally but retitled to Where's Waldo for us Americans.
I mean the show actually had a story so I guess a movie isn't too far fetched but still it just seems utterly ridiculous. I understand the series' popularity but a movie? Anyways the only real problems with a Where's Waldo other than a plot that makes sense is the notion that it's going to be in live-action. I could understand if the film was going to look like The Adventures of Tintin and be done via motion-capture technology and 3D Computer Animation but a live-action adaptation just seem utterly ridiculous. However, finding a cast to play these characters won't be too hard and Waldo actually has quite a roster of supporting characters as pictured. He's got a villain (I know a villain?), a wizard friend, a wife I believe, and his ever lovable pooch-Woof.
Director
At first I was totally clueless on who could possibly direct a Where's Waldo movie but then I realized there were indeed a few directors that could pull it off but I know for sure one of them would be apprehensive but the other who is quite possibly the greatest filmmaker ever-I'm quite sure about. The two are Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg.I chose Martin Scorsese because his adaptation of Hugo Cabret actually looks very good. The film is his first foray into anything animation and I really think that as a remarkable storyteller like he is, that he could bring life into a Where's Waldo movie. With such famous films as The Departed, Casino, Goodfellas, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and even 2010's Shutter Island under his belt, the man is obviously qualified to do anything.
However as much as I like Scorsese, my top choice is still Steven Spielberg. The man has proven himself over the years to be a master storyteller with so many different kinds of films under his belt. To me, this guy has to be the absolute best choice for a Where's Waldo film. Turning a book with no story into a movie would be a tough task but I think Spielberg could do it.
Waldo & Wanda
When I thought about casting Waldo, I originally wanted a comedian in the role like Jim Carrey but that's only because I've always pictured a Waldo movie as a comedy and not a serious adventure film. But digging through the internet as I usually do for these blogs, I did come across a name that several website editors mentioned for the role of the titular character-Waldo. The actor is Zachary Levi whom I know absolutely nothing about and I don't even heard of him before today.
I mean you put the glasses on this guy and put him in a striped shirt, and you have Waldo. The role isn't tough to play but seeing as how the books never had a story, we have absolutely no idea of what Waldo's personality is. Is he nerdy and more serious or is he the opposite? I mean that's one of the big problems in adapting these books into a movie because none of these characters have actual backgrounds, personalities, or anything else to them. They're just characters with nothing because the books are just find it kind of books.
For the role of Wanda, I'd choose Anne Hathway. I really think she'd be perfect for the role for some reason. If not her than I'd probably have to go with Rachel McAdams because well Rachel McAdams rules. My third choice has to be Screened's favorite actress-Emma Stone.
