->''"[H]e called me up and said, "We have this crazy fun role. We had a Creator/JonHamm type in mind, but then we thought we're not going to get him, so what about you?" And I was like, I'm often offered Jon Hamm's hand-me-downs, so..."''
-->-- '''Creator/KateWalsh''' on her ''Series/TheUmbrellaAcademy2019'' role

When someone involved in a fictional project makes a list of actors who would best represent a cast of fictional characters.

The purpose of a hypothetical cast may be to give the reader of a fictional work a better picture of how a character looks and acts. This is common practice for online virtual series and sometimes used by authors of commercially published works. Many times, when a creator is pitching a work to a production company (such as a new series to a TV network), the creator will use existing photos from previous works to help others visualize the characters - for example, Jeff Eastin used a photo of Creator/LeonardoDiCaprio circa ''Film/CatchMeIfYouCan,'' to help visualize the gentleman rogue con man of ''Series/WhiteCollar'''s Neal Caffrey. It can also be done in interviews or other extratextual materials, such as screenplays or via LineToGod.

Compare ComicBookFantasyCasting, where the appearance of a character in a visual medium is overtly derived from a real celebrity without being an explicit parody of that celebrity; NoCelebritiesWereHarmed, where a character is a blatant parody or fictionalized version of a real person; AscendedFancast, where a ''fancast'' actually gets the role; and TextualCelebrityResemblance, where a character's resemblance to a celebrity is mentioned within the work. See also CreatorChosenCasting, when the creator actually does get to choose who plays the characters.
----
!!Example subpages:

[[index]]
* HypotheticalCasting/FanWorks
[[/index]]

!!Other examples:

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
* ''Manga/DragonBall'' creator Creator/AkiraToriyama has said on at least one occasion that a younger Creator/JackieChan would be the ideal live-action interpretation of Son Goku.
* ''Manga/{{Saiyuki}}'' - Previous to its animated adaptation Artist Kazuya Minekura (jokingly) suggested that resident StepfordSmiler Cho Hakkai be voiced by Creator/AkiraIshida, and so when time came to actually cast him, the animators decided that Ishida was indeed the best candidate for the job.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Comic Books]]
* ''ComicBook/AlbedoErmaFelnaEDF'': Creator/SteveGallacci has given some suggestions for a hypothetical voice cast for the comic:
** For the titular heroine, Gallacci's suggested voice actresses were Creator/ClaudiaChristian, Creator/RulaLenska, or any actress speaking with an European accent.
*** This also extended to foreign dubs as well, as both Gallacci and some fans suggested Creator/YuShimamura for voicing Erma in a possible Japanese dub or {{Anime}} adaptation.
** Creator/PatrickStewart as the voice of Itzak Arrat.[[note]]Keep in mind he suggested this at the end of the 80s, when Stewart was younger and when he was still playing [[Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration Capt. Picard]] in the peak of the show's popularity.[[/note]]
* ''ComicBook/TheCrow'': Creator James O'Barr wanted Creator/JohnnyDepp to star as Eric Draven in [[Film/TheCrow the film version]].
* ''ComicBook/{{Extinctioners}}'': Creator Shawntae Howard suggested that, in the case of a hypothetical animated adaptation of the comic, Creator/KeithDavid would be his choice for voicing one of the main characters, Warfare.
* ''ComicBook/{{Hellboy}}'': When discussing who should play Hellboy in a film, Creator/GuillermoDelToro and Creator/MikeMignola wrote down their first choice on a napkin. They unanimously picked Creator/RonPerlman.
* ''ComicBook/ScudTheDisposableAssassin'': The comic always lists the voices of actors that the creator of the comic imagines will be voicing the characters in animation.
* ''ComicBook/{{Superman}}'': In one of the most bizarre examples, Creator/KevinSmith recounted his meeting with Jon Peters for the cancelled ''Superman Lives''. Peters suggested Creator/SeanPenn to play Superman, largely based on his performance in ''Film/DeadManWalking''. According to Smith, Peters said, "Look at his eyes, he's got the eyes of a caged animal, a real killer". Again, this is ''Superman''.
* ''ComicBook/TheTransformersLastStandOfTheWreckers'': Writer James Roberts has said that Overlord sounds like the Creator/AnthonyAinley[=/=]Creator/JohnSimm incarnations of TheMaster from ''Series/DoctorWho''. He also tells his troops to "please attend carefully", a reference to a well-known line from the Master in the story "Logopolis".
* ''ComicBook/TheUltimates'': In-universe example. At one point, the characters sit around talking about who would play them in the movie of their lives. Naturally, ComicBook/NickFury says Creator/SamuelLJackson (on whom Ultimate Nick Fury was based). Things get awkward (and then very much worse) when Hank Pym starts suggesting Creator/SteveBuscemi should play Bruce Banner in the most unintentionally insulting way possible.
* ''ComicBook/XMen'': Creator/ChrisClaremont's ideal choice for ComicBook/{{Wolverine}} was Creator/BobHoskins, largely based on the film ''Lassiter'', specifically the scene where he threatens Creator/TomSelleck. He also envisioned Creator/AngelaBassett as ComicBook/{{Storm|MarvelComics}}.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
* ''Film/AntManAndTheWasp'': After the first ''Ant-Man'' film was released, Creator/EvangelineLilly was asked by a reporter on who she wanted to play Hope's mother, Janet Van Dyne. Lilly would expressed that she wanted Creator/MichellePfeiffer to play Janet. Sure enough, Pfeiffer ended up being cast as Janet.
* During the end credits of ''Film/Cradle2TheGrave'', two of the comic-relief sidekicks have a conversation about who would play them if somebody made a movie of what just happened.
* In ''Film/ThePlayer'', many of the ideas pitched to Griffin Mill include suggestions about the casting.
* In ''Film/GetShorty'', Ray Bones said he'd like to be portrayed by Creator/HarveyKeitel on-screen. It does happen in the final scene.
* DiscussedTrope in ''Film/Scream1996''-- Sidney says "with my luck they'd cast Creator/ToriSpelling". In the sequel when they have indeed made a FilmWithinAFilm about the events, Sidney is played by...Tori Spelling (who found it funny).
* ''Film/TaxiDriver'':
** The producers were looking for a "Creator/CybillShepherd" type to play Betsy. When agent Sue Mengers heard this, she reportedly called them and asked, "Why not hire Cybill Shepherd?"
** Writer Creator/PaulSchrader's casting choices were Creator/JeffBridges, Cybill Shepherd, Creator/HarveyKeitel, Creator/PeterBoyle, Creator/RockHudson, and an unknown actress for the role of Iris, the underage prostitute.
* ''Film/JamesBond'':
** Creator/IanFleming's personal choice was Creator/DavidNiven, while Creator/AlbertRBroccoli wanted Creator/CaryGrant. Niven did end up playing Bond... but [[Film/CasinoRoyale1967 not in a serious film]].
** When it came to casting Film/DrNo (who is Chinese-German), Fleming suggested his friend and neighbour Creator/NoelCoward, who responded, "Doctor No? No, No, No".
** In TheNineties, Creator/RogerMoore jokingly suggested Creator/CubaGoodingJr for the part, while Creator/SeanConnery recommended Creator/MelGibson.
* Before his book ''Lost Moon'' was made into ''Film/Apollo13'', Jim Lovell wanted Creator/KevinCostner to play him.
* Greg Sestero stated that when he started writing ''Literature/TheDisasterArtist'', Creator/TommyWiseau said that only two actors could play him in [[Film/TheDisasterArtist the film]] - Creator/JohnnyDepp and Creator/JamesFranco. The latter got the job.
* According to the book ''Easy Riders and Raging Bulls: How the Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll Generation Saved Hollywood'', Creator/DennisHopper met with UsefulNotes/CharlesManson in prison because Manson wanted Hopper to play him on film after seeing him in an episode of ''Series/TheRifleman''.
* Harold Shand in ''Film/TheLongGoodFriday'' was described by the screenwriter as "the kind of part written for Creator/JamesCagney if he were a Cockney".
* The members of the Loser's Club in ''Film/ItChapterTwo'' were asked whom they wanted to play their adult parts: Finn Wolfhard (Richie Tozier) said Creator/BillHader, Creator/SophiaLillis (Beverly Marsh) said Creator/JessicaChastain, Chosen Jacobs (Mike Hanlon) said Creator/ChadwickBoseman, Creator/JackDylanGrazer (Eddie Kaspbrak) said Creator/JakeGyllenhaal, Wyatt Oleff (Stanley Uris) said Creator/JosephGordonLevitt, Jeremy Ray Taylor (Ben Hanscom) said Creator/ChrisPratt and Jaeden Lieberher (Bill Denbrough) said Creator/ChristianBale. Wolfhard and Lillis' choices were the only two that ended up being cast, likely for budget reasons.
* Creator/DickVanDyke felt he was miscast as Bert in ''Film/MaryPoppins'' and felt that an English comic actor like Creator/JimDale or Creator/RonMoody would have been more appropriate. P.L. Travers suggested actors like Creator/RichardBurton, Creator/AlecGuinness, Creator/RichardHarris, Creator/RexHarrison, Creator/LaurenceHarvey, Creator/LaurenceOlivier, Creator/PeterOToole, and Creator/PeterSellers for the role, in keeping with the British nature of her books.
* Creator/RogerEbert said that he'd want either Creator/JackBlack or Creator/PhilipSeymourHoffman to play him in a biopic. Hoffman died less than a year after Ebert did.
* Joan Allison, who co-wrote the play ''Everybody Comes to Rick's'', which was the basis for ''Film/{{Casablanca}}'', always envisioned Creator/ClarkGable as Rick Blaine, who "was my concept of a guy that I would like...I hated Creator/HumphreyBogart. I thought he was a common drunk".
* Following the failure of ''Film/TheBonfireOfTheVanities'', Creator/BrianDePalma conceded that Creator/JohnLithgow would have been a better choice for Sherman [=McCoy=], "because he would have got the blue-blood arrogance of the character".
* Larry Flynt wanted Creator/MichaelDouglas to play him in ''Film/ThePeopleVsLarryFlynt''.
* In the book ''Down and Dirty Pictures'', Creator/BernardoBertolucci said that if he were to make a film based on his experiences with Creator/{{Miramax}} on ''Little Buddha'', he would have cast Creator/JamesGandolfini as Harvey Weinstein after seeing ''Series/TheSopranos'' and seeing some of Weinstein's behavior patterns in Tony Soprano.
* Creator/JamesCagney wanted Creator/MichaelJFox to play him in a film about his life.
* English bare-knuckle boxer Lenny [=McLean=] wanted Craig Fairbrass to play him in a biopic, as he felt that he resembled him in his younger days. He lost interest when Hollywood producers wanted Creator/SylvesterStallone.
* The script of ''Film/AGoodYear'' described Henry as "sounding like Creator/AlbertFinney". Given director Creator/RidleyScott had already worked with Finney, he easily got the real deal.
* As the Farrelly brothers wrote ''Film/DumbAndDumber'', Seabass was referenced as someone to be cast as a big, bruising "Cam Neely-type." Then they thought to invite the hockey player himself, and he accepted.
* Character Tod Spengo from ''Film/MomAndDadSaveTheWorld'' was so heavily based on Jon Lovitz' stage persona that they would have simply named the character "Jon Lovitz" if they thought they could get him. They actually did, and Lovitz loved the Tod-centric set pieces so much that he said he wanted to take them home and put them around his pool.
* When casting for ''Film/{{Super}}'', Creator/JamesGunn, never imagining having Creator/KevinBacon or Creator/ElliotPage cast, had asked for [[PoorMansSubstitute Bacon and Page-types]]. (How he didn't expect Bacon to accept the role given [[SixDegreesOfKevinBacon his reputation]] is unexplained.)
* Creator/ZachBraff has stated in interviews that when ''Film/GardenState'' was in development, he and his friends kept saying they wanted somebody ''like'' Creator/NataliePortman for the lead female role, never dreaming that they might actually get her.
* Creator/TheCoenBrothers wanted the opening narration for ''Film/TheBigLebowski '' to be read by someone [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rmw5g_WQpM "sounding not unlike Sam Elliott."]] Ultimately, they were able to get Creator/SamElliott himself.
* For the film ''Film/LoveActually,'' one of the producers reportedly wanted "a Creator/LauraLinney type" for a specific role and mentioned it at the slightest opportunity. Eventually, the director snapped, and told him "Oh for fuck's sake, just get Laura Linney then," and she joined the cast.
* The original script of ''Film/TimeBandits'' said something like "Agamemnon takes off his helmet, revealing Creator/SeanConnery, or an actor of [[PoorMansSubstitute equal but cheaper stature]]." They did get Connery for the role.
* The script of ''Film/{{Predators}}'' described Cuchillo as "a guy who looks like Creator/DannyTrejo." When Danny Trejo heard this, he called Creator/RobertRodriguez and said "Hey, I heard there's a guy in the script for ''Predators'' who looks just like Danny Trejo, and guess what, I look just like Danny Trejo!"
* Creator/MelBrooks advertised in the trade papers that he wanted a "Frankie Laine-type" to sing the theme song to ''Film/BlazingSaddles''. A few days later, Frankie Laine turned up at Brooks' office and offered his services. He was also [[GenreBlind unaware that it was a comedy]], causing Brooks to feel embarrassed by how much heart Laine put into the song.
* When voice actors were being cast for ''Film/WhoFramedRogerRabbit'', the production team wanted someone who sounded like Creator/KathleenTurner for Jessica Rabbit -- and ended up hiring Turner for the UncreditedRole.
* The producers of the ''Series/{{Flipper}}'' big screen adaptation were looking for a 'Creator/PaulHogan type'; Paul Hogan heard and contacted them.
* Creator/MichaelYork heard a rumor that the makers of ''Film/{{Cabaret}}'' wanted to cast a "young Michael York type" and suggested to his agent that "he might possibly qualify".
* Creator/BenStiller said the producers of ''Film/MeetTheFockers'' had a pipe dream of having Creator/DustinHoffman and Creator/BarbraStreisand as the title couple. And they accepted!
* ''Film/AnimalHouse'':
** If Creator/JohnBelushi proved to be unavailable, Creator/{{Universal}}'s other choice for the role of Bluto would have been Music/MeatLoaf.
** Creator/ChevyChase was originally suggested for the role of Otter, but he turned down the role due to scheduling conflicts with ''Film/FoulPlay'', which was being shot at the same time as ''Animal House''.
* If Creator/MarilynMonroe proved to be unavailable in ''Film/TheSevenYearItch'', Creator/TwentiethCenturyFox's other choice for The Girl would have been Creator/JeanSimmons.
* Creator/LouisMalle originally wanted Creator/JaneFonda and Creator/JodieFoster to play mom and daughter in ''Film/PrettyBaby''.
* J. Arthur Rank wanted a top-flight Hollywood actress for the role of Victoria Page in ''Film/{{The Red Shoes|1948}}'' like Creator/LaurenBacall and Creator/MaureenOHara with the intention of breaking into the North American market.
* When Creator/BrianDePalma's choice for UsefulNotes/AlCapone in ''Film/{{The Untouchables|1987}}'', Creator/RobertDeNiro, proved to be unavailable, producers wanted Creator/BobHoskins as Capone.
* The writers of ''Film/RomanHoliday'' wanted Creator/CaryGrant and Creator/ShirleyTemple in the lead roles, based solely on their performances in ''Film/TheBachelorAndTheBobbySoxer''.
* ''{{Film/Scarface|1983}}'':
** Executives at Creator/{{MCA}}, Creator/{{Universal}}'s parent company at the time, wanted a big box-office star like Creator/GoldieHawn or Creator/DianeKeaton as Elvira Hancock.
** Creator/JohnTravolta was suggested for either Tony or Manny.
* Creator/{{Miramax}} wanted a world-famous star to play Mia Wallace in ''Film/PulpFiction'' like Creator/HollyHunter or Creator/MegRyan.
* Creator/BudCort was originally suggested for the title role in ''Film/{{Arthur|1981}}''.
* Before Creator/JuliaRoberts was cast in ''Film/PrettyWoman'', producers toyed with the idea of casting Creator/MegRyan, Creator/MichellePfeiffer, or Music/{{Madonna}}.
* ''Film/IndianaJonesAndTheLastCrusade'': While Creator/SeanConnery was always Creator/StevenSpielberg's top pick to play Indy's father, Henry Sr., he also considered casting Creator/GregoryPeck or Creator/JonPertwee in case Connery was unavailable.
* ''Film/BackToTheFuture1'': When Creator/MichaelJFox was initially unavailable to star as Marty [=McFly=], Creator/CThomasHowell was strongly considered, but Universal Studios preferred Creator/EricStoltz, so Stoltz got cast. After several weeks in production, Stoltz was fired due to CreativeDifferences and Fox was finally available, so Fox took over as Marty and Stoltz became the TropeNamer for TheOtherMarty.
* ''Film/StarTrekVTheFinalFrontier'': Creator/SeanConnery was Creator/WilliamShatner's pick to play Sybok, but Connery was already signed to ''Film/IndianaJonesAndTheLastCrusade'', so Creator/LaurenceLuckinbill was cast, instead. The script would name the planet where God was supposedly located "Sha Ka Ree" after Connery.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Literature]]
* In the back of ''Literature/DarkFire'', Cris D'Lacey made a list of all the actors he imagined playing each of his characters in response to a question.
* Creator/StephenKing:
** In ''Literature/TheRegulators'', after Johnny Marinville and his black neighbor, Brad Josephson have a hard time climbing a fence to escape from monsters, Johnny jokingly suggests that they should make a movie called ''Black Men Can't Climb Fences'', where Creator/LaurenceFishburne would play Brad.
** For ''Film/TheShining'', he envisioned Creator/MichaelMoriarty, Creator/MartinSheen or Creator/JonVoight as Jack Torrence, believing that they would best convey an ordinary family man who snaps. He was against Creator/JackNicholson's casting, feeling that it was telegraphing Jack's insanity to the audience.
** In one of his intro essays for the Uncut Edition of ''Series/TheStand1994'', he suggested Creator/RobertDuvall for Randall Flagg and Music/BruceSpringsteen for Larry Underwood.
* Creator/JKRowling had her own ideal cast for ''Literature/HarryPotter'' long before the first movie was made, and was lucky enough to see several of her choices (Creator/RobbieColtrane as Hagrid, for one, and Creator/MaggieSmith as Minerva [=McGonagall=], for another) actually used. She described Dumbeldore as a "Creator/JohnGielgud-type, quite elderly and – and quite stately".
* Creator/StephenieMeyer:
** Meyer's choice for ''Literature/{{Twilight}}'''s heroine, Bella Swann, was Creator/EmilyBrowning. Meyer also said she pictured Creator/HenryCavill when writing Edward Cullen, but by the time the movies were made, he was considered too old for the role, making it the ''second'' part he's lost to Creator/RobertPattinson (the first being [[Literature/HarryPotter Cedric Diggory.]])
** For ''Literature/TheHost2008'', she pictured Creator/HilarySwank as Melanie, Creator/MattDamon as Jared, Creator/RobertRedford as Jed, Creator/CaseyAffleck as Ian, and Creator/BenAffleck as Kyle.
* In UsefulNotes/{{Usenet}} discussion of ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'', Creator/TerryPratchett suggested Creator/PetePostlethwaite as his conception of Sir Sam Vimes (which then became ComicBookFantasyCasting in the children's picture book ''Where's My Cow?''), and Creator/JamesSpader for Havelock Vetinari. He's also reportedly specified "the bad guy from ''Film/DieHard''" (Creator/AlanRickman) for the role of Vetinari. According to the official biography ''A Life in Footnotes'' (written by his former PA Rob Wilkins), he also considered Creator/NicholasLyndhurst his ideal casting for Rincewind.
* Creator/NeilGaiman says that Shadow from ''Literature/AmericanGods'' is supposed to look like Creator/DwayneJohnson.
* The author of ''Literature/TheHeartsWeSold'' used a gif of Creator/MattBomer to represent the Daemon in one blog post. A fan on Twitter also proposed Creator/TomEllis as a potential alternative, which she approved of.
* Winston Groom envisioned Creator/JohnGoodman as Literature/ForrestGump.
* ''Literature/BreakfastAtTiffanys'': Creator/TrumanCapote imagined Creator/MarilynMonroe as Holly Golightly. But her acting coach didn't want her playing a call girl, so Creator/AudreyHepburn was cast instead.
* Creator/GeorgeMacDonaldFraser once talked about casting Creator/DanielDayLewis in a proposed ''Literature/{{Flashman}}'' film, though he mentioned his ideal choice as Creator/ErrolFlynn.
* ''Literature/AxiomsEnd'' author Creator/LindsayEllis has suggested casting Creator/PedroPascal as Nils if the book ever became a movie. She also agreed with suggestions for Creator/RosaSalazar to play Cora, at least until she realized Salazar's age surpassed that of Cora.
* ''Literature/StrangerThanFanfiction'': Joey Davis thinks the perfect actor to portray {{God}} would be Creator/IanMcKellen. In his inner movie of God deciding homosexuality isn't a sin anymore, he has him accompanied by Moses (played by Creator/DenzelWashington) and UsefulNotes/JesusChrist (played by Creator/IdrisElba).
* Creator/AnneRice envisioned Creator/RutgerHauer as Lestat in a film version of ''Literature/TheVampireChronicles'' and was so appalled that Creator/TomCruise was cast in ''Film/InterviewWithTheVampire'' that she boycotted the film, though she later came round. She and the fans also championed Creator/JulianSands.
* Creator/PeterBenchley's casting choices for ''Film/{{Jaws}}'' were Creator/{{Steve McQueen|Actor}}, Creator/PaulNewman, and Creator/RobertRedford.
* Creator/DouglasAdams' original choice for Arthur Dent in ''Literature/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy'' film was Creator/HughLaurie.
* Leslie Charteris' choices for Simon Templar in a film of ''Literature/TheSaint'' were Creator/RonaldColman, Creator/DouglasFairbanksJr, or Creator/CaryGrant. When it came to [[Series/TheSaint the television series]], his ideal choice was Creator/DavidNiven.
* When Creator/NeilGaiman and Creator/TerryPratchett planned a ''Literature/GoodOmens'' film in TheNineties, they were going to cast Creator/JohnnyDepp as Crowley and Creator/RobinWilliams as Aziraphale.
* ''Literature/CharlieAndTheChocolateFactory'': Creator/RoaldDahl felt that Willy Wonka should be British, so his ideal choice was Creator/SpikeMilligan. He was displeased that Creator/GeneWilder was cast.
* Creator/AynRand wanted Creator/FarrahFawcett to play Dagny Taggart in a film version of ''Literature/AtlasShrugged'', as she was a fan of ''Series/CharliesAngels''.
* Creator/LenDeighton was a fan of ''Series/SteptoeAndSon'' and envisioned Creator/HarryHCorbett as Film/HarryPalmer.
* Jacqueline Susann wanted Music/ElvisPresley to play Tony Polar in [[Film/ValleyOfTheDolls the film version]] of ''Literature/ValleyOfTheDolls''.
* John D. [=McDonald=]'s choice for ''Literature/TravisMcGee'' was Creator/{{Steve McQueen|Actor}}.
* Creator/PhilipKDick wanted Creator/VictoriaPrincipal for the role of Rachael in ''Film/BladeRunner''.
* Henry De Vere Stacpoole wanted Creator/ShirleyTemple to play the younger Emmeline in [[Film/TheBlueLagoon1949 the film version]] of ''Literature/TheBlueLagoon'' when it was in development in the late 1930s not long before UsefulNotes/WorldWarII started, and wanted her again in 1944 when the project was restarted, now as Emmeline as a young adult. He became disappointed that Creator/JeanSimmons was cast.
* ''Literature/HungersAsOldAsThisLand'': According to [[https://twitter.com/ZachRoseWriter/status/1658662957906116610 the author's Twitter]], he imagines Cyril Redstone as being played by Creator/RichardBrake.
* ''Literature/TheLongShalom'': The author [[https://twitter.com/ZachRoseWriter/status/1648398300070944775 posted his "dream cast"]] for the main characters on Twitter:
** Alan Aldenberg: Creator/LoganLerman
** Erika Nakamura: Creator/KarenFukuhara
** Roger [=McAllister=]: Creator/RegeJeanPage
** Lenore Zielinski: Creator/JamieClayton
** Rabbi Tevye: Creator/OdedFehr
** Carlo Bianchi: Creator/VincentPiazza
** Councilman Cromwell: Creator/GeoffPierson
** Emicho Hadrian: Creator/BillSkarsgard
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
* Creator/MirandaCosgrove from ''Series/ICarly'' wanted Creator/TinaFey to be Carly's MissingMom.
* In-universe example: In one episode of ''Series/{{Castle|2009}}'', the characters talk about what actors they want to be played by in the movie version of Castle's book.
* On ''Series/ParksAndRecreation'', the town's mayor, Walter Gunderson, was TheGhost for much of the show. Creator/AmyPoehler says they'd like Creator/BillMurray for the part. [[spoiler:Murray eventually did so.]]
* Creator/DanHarmon wanted Murray to play Jeff's dad on ''Series/{{Community}}''.
* In an episode of ''Series/ThirdRockFromTheSun'':
-->'''Dick''': [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kD_VCqpjEDM And when they make a movie of this, and they will... I don't want to be played by]] Creator/WoodyHarrelson.
* When Jeff Eastin put together a mock-up poster to pitch ''Series/WhiteCollar'' to the USA, he used a photo of Creator/DenisLeary for Peter Burke and Creator/LeonardoDiCaprio for Neal Caffrey.
* In the ''Series/{{Angel}}'' episode "[[Recap/AngelS05E02JustRewards Just Rewards]]", after having the whole Series/{{Angel}}-[[Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer Buffy]]-Spike triangle explained to him, Lorne reflects that "I could sell that story to any studio in a heartbeat. I see [[Creator/JohnnyDepp Depp]] and [[Creator/OrlandoBloom Bloom]] - but then again, I see them a lot."
* ''Series/DoctorWho'':
** In 1986, Creator/SydneyNewman suggested brining back Creator/PatrickTroughton, then have him regenerate into a woman, with his top choices being Creator/DawnFrench, Creator/JoannaLumley and Frances de la Tour.
** In the early 1990s, Creator/TheBBC approached Creator/VerityLambert to revive the show. She wanted Creator/PeterCook to play the new Doctor, but he eventually declined involvement.
** Creator/RussellTDavies has mentioned envisioning certain actors in his head while creating various characters. He said that while creating Adelaide Brooke for "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E16TheWatersOfMars The Waters of Mars]]", he created her with Creator/HelenMirren in mind (the role eventually went to Lindsay Duncan, who does bear a slight similarity to Mirren.) Similarly, for River Song, they considered Creator/KateWinslet for the part (which went to Creator/AlexKingston.)
** A sketch for the Ninth Doctor's look describes him as "Creator/TerenceStamp if he ran a market stall".
** Romana I was pitched as a Creator/GraceKelly-type IceQueen.
** Creator/TomBaker suggested Creator/DawnFrench and Creator/EddieIzzard as his choices to play the Doctor.
* When then-Senator UsefulNotes/BarackObama appeared on the ''Tyra'' show, Tyra asked him who he would like to play him in the inevitable biopic. He initially said his first choice would have been Creator/DenzelWashington, but [[SelfDeprecation because of the ears,]] it might need to be Creator/WillSmith.
* ''Series/{{Supergirl 2015}}'': Star Creator/MelissaBenoist said in an interview that she wanted co-star and on-screen adoptive sister Creator/ChylerLeigh to play their version of ComicBook/{{Batgirl}}. Interestingly, Leigh's character has most of ComicBook/{{Batwoman}}[='=]s defining characterizations such as being a redhead with a bob cut, the show's resident BadassNormal, and eventually even hooking up with the character's canonical LoveInterest, Maggie Sawyer.
* While discussing ''Series/RedDwarf'''s failed American pilot, Creator/DannyJohnJules named Creator/JohnBelushi as the ideal American to play Lister.
* ''Series/{{Cracker}}'' creator Jimmy [=McGovern=] described the main character Fitz as a Creator/JohnCassavetes type, "thin and wiry...an ex-military-type". HilariousInHindsight, given the [[FatBastard eventual casting]] of Creator/RobbieColtrane. Robert Pastorelli, who played the lead in the American remake, was somewhat on the beefy side as well.
* Phillip Glennister named his choice for an American [[Series/LifeOnMars2006 Gene Hunt]] as either Creator/HarveyKeitel or Creator/NickNolte. The former was actually cast in ''Series/LifeOnMars2008''.
* Parodied in ''Series/TheSuiteLifeOfZackAndCody'' when multiple people want Music/BritneySpears to play London in a movie about her. London agrees. For the record, she's Asian and [[RaceLift Britney of course isn't]].
* In the ''Series/WalkerTexasRanger'' episode "Code of the West", the four main characters talk about who would play them in a movie. Trivette gets Creator/DenzelWashington, Alex gets Creator/HelenHunt, C.D. gets Creator/PaulNewman and Walker gets...Creator/ChuckNorris.
* In casting the role of Grandad in ''Series/OnlyFoolsAndHorses'', John Sullivan had in mind an actor similar to Creator/WilfridBrambell, but chose not to use Brambell himself, thinking him too closely associated with ''Series/SteptoeAndSon''.
* Creator/AlecGuinness initially thought he was miscast as George Smiley in ''Series/TinkerTailorSoldierSpy'' and suggested Creator/ArthurLowe as a better choice.
* According to Creator/KateWalsh, who played the Handler on ''Series/TheUmbrellaAcademy2019'', the role was written for "a Creator/JonHamm type".
* Prior to Creator/AlexTrebek's death in 2020, he threw around some possible names to succeed him as host of ''Series/{{Jeopardy}}''. Among these were Alex Faust, Laura Coates, and Ben Mankiewicz. He also jokingly told an audience member that Creator/BettyWhite should take his place.
* When casting for Sam Axe on ''Series/BurnNotice'' the producers floated around Creator/BruceCampbell as the type they were looking for, and were surprised when they got him.
* When the Ropers were spun-off into their own series, the writers of ''Series/ThreesCompany'' were left to try and find another actor to play the show's landlord. They kept commenting that they wanted someone similar to Creator/DonKnotts before realizing they could just ask Don Knotts himself to do it.
* The ''Series/{{Leverage}}'' writers wanted Nate, the leader of the titular band of thieves, to be an actor similar to Creator/TimothyHutton. Hutton got the part.
* When the creators of ''Series/TheGoldenGirls'' were casting the role of Dorothy, they said they were looking for a "Creator/BeaArthur-type". Guess who got the part?
* After Creator/BettyWhite heard that the producers of ''Series/TheMaryTylerMooreShow'' were looking for a Betty White type, she approached them and said they could have the real thing.
* When NBC needed an Creator/IanMcShane-type to play King Silas Benjamin on ''Series/{{Kings}}'', they predictably turned to [=McShane=] himself.
* The first-season ''Series/StarTrekEnterprise'' episode "Oasis" guest-starred ''Trek'' veteran Creator/ReneAuberjonois. [[http://www.treknation.com/interviews/rene_auberjonois.shtml As he tells it]], they were looking for someone similar to him, and Rick Berman said "Why don't we just get Rene?"
* A similar thing happened with the character of Leo [=McGarry=] on ''Series/TheWestWing''. Creator/AaronSorkin asked for "someone like Creator/JohnSpencer" and got... John Spencer.
* For the role of Nina Van Horn on ''Series/JustShootMe'', creator Steve Levitan wanted a "Creator/WendieMalick type, but older". When none of the actresses who auditioned proved satisfactory, Levitan cast Malick and wrote the character younger.
* When the producers of ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'' decided to write an {{expy}} of the ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' character Nick Locarno in Tom Paris, they sought someone like Locarno's portrayer Robert Duncan [=McNeill=], eventually settling on [=McNeill=] himself.
* During production of ''Series/OnePiece2023'', Creator/TazSkylar (Sanji) suggested Craig Fairbrass to portray Zeff.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:New Media]]
* In-universe within the Literature/WhateleyUniverse, Phase - having just bought out Marvel Comics (in 2007) - ends up in a discussion with his teammates about a possible ComicBook/IronMan movie and why it wouldn't work because of the casting difficulties.
* Towards the end of ''[[Roleplay/DinoAttackRPG At War's End]]'', that guy from that show started working on [[http://www.imdb.com/list/3cfHUt9F4ZY/?publish=save a cast list]] for a hypothetical film adaptation and asked his fellow players for actor suggestions. Note that this cast list is largely based on the actors' credentials rather than their appearances, so the casting picks are not intended to give readers a better mental image of characters' appearances.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Radio]]
* When choosing the voice of the Guide in ''Radio/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy1978'', Creator/DouglasAdams wanted someone with a "Peter Jonesy sort of voice". After several rejections, he simply asked Jones himself.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Theater]]
* In a Creator/{{PBS}} documentary on the making of ''Film/TheProducers'' (stage musical) cast album, Creator/NathanLane jokes with Creator/MelBrooks about who will star in TheMovie. Lane says Creator/DannyDeVito will be playing Bialystock. Brooks promises that Lane will be in the movie.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Video Games]]
* For ''VideoGame/BrutalLegend,'' Double Fine based the main character, Eddie Riggs, on something of a caricature of Creator/JackBlack. Once Black himself took the role, this led from Eddie's character going from a NoCelebritiesWereHarmed design to a full-on InkSuitActor.
* The original ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaI'' has for the credits a list of well-known horror movie actors "cast" as the bosses of the game.
* An in-universe case in ''VideoGame/{{Curses}}''. Examining the demon and angel tells you that if you were to cast a film of your adventures so far, you would hire Creator/DonaldSutherland to play the demon and Creator/JudiDench to play the angel.
* The creators of ''VideoGame/GodOfWar'' have cited Creator/DjimonHounsou as the person they'd most want to play the role of Kratos in a live-action project, an example of hypothetical ColorblindCasting.
* Valve wanted someone with the vocal talent of Creator/LouisGossettJr. to voice the extra-dimensional beings known as the Vortigaunt in ''VideoGame/HalfLife2'', based on his performance in ''Film/EnemyMine''. They ended up with the man himself, albeit he didn't return for the following episode releases.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Visual Novels]]
* ''VisualNovel/HatofulBoyfriend'', as a {{Doujin}} game, has no voice work, but each love interest's introduction names a voice actor whom the creator would like to play them if it did.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Animation]]
* For ''WebAnimation/HazbinHotel'' and ''WebAnimation/HelluvaBoss'', creator Vivienne "Vivziepop" Medrano has a number of "headcanon" voices for characters that haven't spoken yet:
** Creator/MarkHamill as Vox.
** Music/BarbraStreisand as Rosie.
** Music/WeirdAlYankovic as Lucifer.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Comics]]
* [[http://www.comicmix.com/news/2008/06/04/interview-chris-hastings-on-the-adventures-of-dr-mcninja/ In this interview]], ''Webcomic/TheAdventuresOfDrMcNinja'' creator Chris Hastings said that his casting choices for a ''Dr. [=McNinja=]'' movie would be Creator/SamRockwell or Creator/WillArnett as the Doc, Creator/SamElliott or Wrestling/HulkHogan as Dan [=McNinja=], and Creator/AnjelicaHuston as Mitzi [=McNinja=]. The villains would include Creator/WillemDafoe as Ronald [=McDonald=], Creator/JeanClaudeVanDamme as Frans Rayner, Phil Fondacaro as Knickerbockers, and Creator/BelaLugosi as Literature/{{Dracula}}, "''Film/TheCrow'' style."
* All the characters in ''Webcomic/{{Zelfia}}'', however minor, have "canon" voice actors.
* ''Webcomic/ElectricWonderland'' author Peter Paltridge has admitted that he used to imagine Creator/BrittanyMurphy voicing Aerynn Arlia in an AnimatedAdaptation.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Original]]
* Scaramouche from the Creator/VCAndrews fan blog ''Blog/ScaramouchesAttic'' said that she imagined a young Creator/JenniferConnelly as Heaven Casteel from the ''Literature/CasteelSeries''.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons''
** An in-universe example: In "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS13E18IAmFuriousYellow I am Furious (Yellow)]]", in response to a remark about who should play Homer in a live-action "Angry Dad" movie, Bart suggests Creator/JohnGoodman, but Homer strangles him and exclaims, "Isn't it obvious?! It should be Creator/GaryOldman!"
** The writers have joked that if the show ever gets a LiveActionAdaptation, Creator/WilliamHMacy will play Ned Flanders.
** Creator/PhilHartman wanted to play Troy [=McClure=] in a LiveActionAdaptation "biopic" of [=McClure=]'s life; plans didn't get very far before his tragic murder in 1998.
** There have been several actors mooted for members of the Simpson family in hypothetical [[LiveActionAdaptation Live-Action Adaptations]] over the years. A popular candidate for Bart in the early '90s was Benjamin Salisbury from ''Series/TheNanny''.
* The creators of ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' wanted somebody who sounded like Creator/JasonIsaacs to play Zhao, as they got the idea for the character from Isaacs' character in ''Film/ThePatriot2000'' -- but the real Jason Isaacs wound up taking the job instead.
* ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated'' art director Derrick J. Wyatt often shared his ideal picks for voices for characters who either didn’t speak in the show or only appeared in printed media such as the comics. Among his picks were:
** Creator/LouieAnderson as Snarl.
** Creator/ClancyBrown as Overlord.
** Creator/JeffreyCombs as Pharma, as a MythologyGag to the Ratchet that Combs previously [[WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime played]].
* The pilot of ''WesternAnimation/{{Archer}}'' read on the script "think Creator/JessicaWalter in ''Series/ArrestedDevelopment''" to describe Malory Archer. Sure enough, Walter's manager got hold of one script and she became interested in the role.
* In the original casting calls of ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}'', the last paragraph of Hudson's biography is a single sentence: "[[Series/TheMaryTylerMooreShow Hudson hates spunk]]", implying they were seeking an Creator/EdAsner type. Asner came in to audition and thought he botched it, especially as he wasn't expecting to have to do a Scottish accent, but got the part.
[[/folder]]
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