Totally Unscientific Poll Results

I took an informal poll and asked readers, via my author page on Facebook, for their input on who they’d most like to see playing T.J. in the film adaptation of On the Island. I’ve tallied the votes and thought it would be fun to share the results with you all.

The actor who received the most votes to play T.J. was Zac Efron. You guys really, really like Zac. I mean, like, a lot.

In second place was Alex Pettyfer (or as I like to call him, Alex Prettyfer, because OH MY GOD, look at him).

One person suggested Justin Bieber “just for laughs” and I have to agree. I’m sure he’s a lovely person and this is a really great picture of him, but, yeah. NO. 

In third place we have Taylor Kitsch, my original choice for T.J. I’ve mentioned this in a few Q&A’s I’ve done recently, and it pains me to say it again, but I think he’s too old to play T.J. which is a crying shame because I really like looking at him.

 
 
 
 
Next up is someone I’ve never heard of: Steven R. McQueen. Perhaps it’s because I don’t watch The Vampire Diaries. Perhaps I should start.
 

 
 


Jeremy Sumpter, Steven Strait, and Aaron Johnson were a few of the other suggestions.

 
I have a suggestion to throw into the ring: Jamie Campbell Bower. I can’t remember how he came to my attention, but he’s adorable and hot – two qualities that an actor playing T.J. will need to have. Plus I think he’s just young enough to pull it off.
 
 
 
It was also suggested – and I wholeheartedly agree – that an unknown actor (paired with a well-known actress a’ la Christopher Atkins and Brooke Shields in The Blue Lagoon) might be the way to go.
 
And lastly, I’ve bumped Anne Hathaway out of the starring role of Anna, not because I don’t like her, because I really, really do, but because I think one of these two actresses might be a teensy bit better.
 
 
Minka Kelly
 

 
Eliza Dushku
 
 
 
 
Thanks for your input, everyone!!
 

 
 
 
 

This Post Has 29 Comments

  1. I’m a little late to throw in my 2 cents but just read this book and now totally obsessed — loved it! Can’t wait for the movie!! Was wondering who should play T.J. I didn’t consider him before but now that I saw Steven MCQueen suggested, I can’t imagine anyone else. He is PERFECT! And that picture doesn’t do him justice. He’s a hottie, which is a given considering his genes (grandfather). He could easily play every age of T.J. (16-25). He’d also fit for the lesser known actor — he’s already destined for stardom, but I’d imagine this role would catapult him. Still not sure about Anna…maybe Kate Hudson??

    Looking forward to your upcoming novel. Happy New Year!

  2. As much as I love Zac Efron…Josh Hutcherson has to be “T.J.” and I vote for Kate Beckinsale as “Anna”

  3. The BEST choice to play TJ is Josh Hutcherson. Hands down!! If you check out the Hunger Games/Josh Hutcherson related tumblr sites, On the Island is mentioned several times, and TJ is always linked to Josh Hutcherson.

  4. I absolutely love Zac, but he may be too old to play a teenager. I would suggest Dave Franco, but he’s kind of short. I love Anne Hathaway, Rachel McAdams, and Jennifer Love Hewitt. 🙂

  5. I heard about it through the Booking with Manic blog. She loved it, and she recommends the best books!

  7. JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT for Anna and Nick or Joe Jonas for TJ.I felt a little unconfortable about their age gap but i enjoy reading the book.
    Good luck with the movie!

  8. I found On the Island because of the wonderful BA Facebook group. So many people were saying fantastic things about it, I had to download it and read it myself. I have to say it was one of my very fav books of 2012 and now the paperback is out in the UK, I buy it for every girlfriend I have – I can’t stand for them to be missing out on your amazing story! Congratulations to you Tracey. You deserve every bit of success that comes your way x

  9. Hello Tracey! I JUST finished your book On The Island which I started early this morning and read nonstop all day because I could not put it down! I loved it. I was a little wary at the beginning because I could sort of see a relationship happening between a thirty year old English teacher (which I am)(except I’m not thirty) and a sixteen year old (which I have) because knowing teen boys like I do: Gross. But they kept it in their pants just long enough. Thank you for that. By the time they did do it, I was like, “Come on, Anna, do it already!” I loved your plot, I loved your character development, I love the relationship between TJ and Anna. I loved all the characters. It was a fantastic story. One of my friends recommended it to me.

    I’m so glad to discover you have a blog and just so this comment has something to do with the post, DEFINITELY Taylor Kitsch. He’s not too old. And Minka Kelly.

    I will be back frequently! Come visit me at my blog too: sowhatelseblog.com.

    Sarah

  10. Oh, Eliza Dushku definitely. Love her. Ever since her Buffy days. I think Zac Efron is too old. I agree with Tracy. Jamie Campbell Bower looks like he’d fit the part much better. Just my two cents worth.
    Malia 🙂

  15. Zac seems like he would be most believable in a teen role. I’ve heard Alex Pettyfer might get cast as Christian Grey…if that happens it could be difficult to see him in other roles for awhile. Have you thought about Olivia Munn as Anna? I caught her on The Newsroom recently and she’s really good.

  17. Eliza is perfect for Anna!!!! No way to the Vampire Diaries kid but yes to Jamie for TJ 🙂

  18. Since I don’t know any of these guys (or girls) I’m voting for Jamie. He is a very close proximity of my vision of TJ. As for Anna, I think your choice of Taylor is spot on…I can’t tell about Eliza because she has so much freaking hair! and well, I can’t pick her because she spells her name wrong!

    elisa

  19. I still vote for Taylor Kitsch!! Zac Efron would work, but I’d rather it be someone less well known. And Taylor is one hot stud! Eliza Dushku is one of my fave actresses so that would be totally cool with me.

  20. Yes, You need to watch Vampire Diaries. Now seeing him listed, he’d be great! I can’t wait for the movie, I’m so excited. We have our Book Club meeting, about On The Island, in a week. Gonna be exciting!

  21. I’ve loved Zac since High School Musical Uno and think he’d make a great TJ! And I just told another friend about your book yesterday! Can’t wait to see it on the big screen! xo

  22. I’ve LOVED Zac since High School Musical UNO and think he would make an AMAZING TJ!!!! I can’t wait to see your book on the big screen! I was just telling another friend about it yesterday! xo

  24. Not totally convinced Taylor wouldn’t work. I’m sure make up artists can do wonders for 16 yr old T.J. and he definitely looks like my vision of T.J. at 21. But Zak and Jamie work, too. All of them are better casting than Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher (that’s one movie I will refuse to see because Cruise would totally disillusion me and I have loved Jack Reacher too long to give up my vision of him.)

  25. I still like Taylor, but agree that Zak would be great too. I’m not sure what was in my mind as I read this book, but either of these guys wouldn’t disappoint on the screen.

  27. Hmmm…I have such a clear picture in my head of each character, so it’s hard to match a celeb. I think I like Zac or Taylor the best for. Eliza would possibly make a good Anna. 🙂

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