Image Credit: Glenn Harris/PR Photos; Sylvain Gaboury/PR PhotosJason O’Mara, the star of ABC’s Life on Mars, has been cast as Joe Morelli in Lionsgate’s big-screen adaptation of One For the Money, the first novel in Janet Evanovich’s bestselling Stephanie Plum series, Variety reports. He joins Katherine Heigl, who’s set to play Plum, a newly-divorced, recently laid-off 30-year-old in New Jersey who becomes a bounty hunter. Her first assignment is bringing in Morelli, a former vice cop now wanted for murder. The two have a history — Stephanie lost her virginity to him in high school — so look for sparks to fly in more ways than one. Rescue Me‘s Daniel Sunjata has also been cast as Ranger, the veteran bounty hunter who’ll show her the ropes.
Stephanie Plum fans, do you approve? Evanovich once told EW, “If you want to cry, you’re not going to like my books. If you want a really good plot, you’re not going to like my plots. My books have pizza and cussing and sexy guys.” I therefore accept O’Mara and Sunjata.
I also think they’ve proven they have the right delivery for a comic crime thriller.
Read more:
One For the Money acquired by Lionsgate
How Janet Evanovich broke through
I have read every single Stephanie Plum book, and I’ve been scared about the casting of this for a long time. However, I gotta say I think these are two great picks.
agreed. Daniel Sunjata wasn’t even on my radar, but he’ll be great.
Heigl – NO- Bullock – YES. Cloris Leachman as Grandma Mazur.
I was thinking Marisa Tomei for Plum cause Bullock is out of the price range I am sure, Joe Pesei or Danny Devito for Vinnie, Shemar Moore (Criminal Minds) for Ranger. I’ll wait and see about Heigle, Ill ask around before I see it. Don’t want to ruin my images for when I read the books.
Shemar Moore is the only one sexy enough to carry the role of Ranger. Morelli is supposed to be a dark eyed sexy Italian, Jason O’Mara, while nice, doesn’t look like Morelli. Kathryn and Sherri are perfect.
Love the casting of the guys, but Katherine Heigl is just not Stephanie Plum. Very disappointed in that choice.
Agreed! I’ve been waiting for years for Sandra Bullock to play that part! Heigl doesn’t fit.
agreed…Sandra Bullock is our Stephanie Plum
I was beyond disappointed that Heigl is SUPPOSED to be Stephanie. She must have a really good agent to get her this part. I figure this movie will be as disappointing (awful as far as I’m concerned) as all of the other Heigle movies have been. BTW, I am reading the books in order for the second time! I never get bored and can hardly wait to find out who will be granma….Betty White would be perfect.
I agree. Disappointed in Heigle for Sstephanie..I picture more of a Sandra Bullock type.
i agree
Elle-I agree. I really thought Sandra Bullock would be a great Stephanie Plum. With The Rock as Ranger and Betty White as Grandma Mazur.
Yeah…Heigle was even on my radar. Personality wise I can see it but Sandra was my pick forever when I heard they were making a movie two years ago I said Sandra. But actually the Miss Congeniality character is Stephanie Plum. Goofy, accident prone, eventually gets the jobs done. And Sheri Shephard was always my pick for Lula! Estelle Getty would have been a great Grandma Mazur.
i don’t think Heigle is right for stephanie, she seems just the sunny Cal type and I couldn’t see her as a Jersy gal
Sandra bullock is too old to play stephanie.
I also didn’t think Heigl would be good at all until I saw her in an upcoming movie preview; now I think she might be ok – my pick for Ranger would be Gary Dourdan who played Warrick Brown on CSI. I know Ranger is supposed to be Hispanic, but omg, Dourdan’s eyes! Don’t much care who Morelli is – who is Grandma?
Katherine Heigl is NOT even close to Stephanie Plum material. As with everyone else my first choice would have been Sandra Bullock. If not Sandra then Marissa Tomei. I think Sherri Shepherd will be ok for Lula but my first pick for Lula was Queen Latifah. Grandma Mazur in my mind will ALWAYS be Estelle Getty. I know, I know she passed away but that is always the face in my mind when reading about Grandma Mazur. Really hope they reconsider Heigl as Stephanie Plum. They have to do better!
I agree I wanted Bullock/Tomei for Plum, Shepherd for Lula works. O,Mara is sexy & funny. Sunjati is super looking for Ranger.
I screamed out loud in the car when I read that they had cast KATHERINE HEIGL as Stephanie Plum – I scared my whole family to death! I am furious and SO disappointed – she is nowhere near what/who Stephanie should be – dark hair and blue eyes? Spunk?! No!
Katherine Heigl?! I always thought Minnie Driver would have made a good Stephanie Plum. I also would’ve chosen Joe Manganiello as Morelli.
I like the picks, all of them. Yes I would have like Sandra (starting to age a little more than Step in the book), but I think Heigl will do a fine job. I’m so excite for these movie. (Hopefuly movies)
I have to agree I would have much rather Sandra Bullock play Stephanie Plum. I still think Jonnie Depp as Ranger too, he is so hot. I have read the Stephanie Plum series now for my fourth time. Their awesome.
i think heigl will do well im glad they made her hair brown i pictured ranger to be taller and more muscular
I personally think these picks are all wrong, I cannot see Kathrine Hiegal playing Stephanie, that is only Sandra Bullock, I only see The rock playing ranger he has the bulk for ranger, joe I don’t know don’t think O’Mara fits the description, I think you should listern to your readers and please don’t screw up the keep like the book
O’Mara is Irish. How does that fit into being Joe Morelli? I’m not real happy with the picks for either Joe or Ranger. Honestly, it’s better they stay in the book because I don’t think any pick would satisfy us.
Well, Evanovich has no choice in the casting, she sold her rights a long time ago and yeah, Heigel is AWFUL for Stephanie I always always pictured Sandra Bullock, but we Plum fans are going to have to take what we can get, if you really have been keeping up then you already have the images in your head and they won’t be ruined by a movie. If we want a movie we’re just going to have to take what we can get, it will be fun to make fun of at the very least
Sandra Bullock is Stephanie Plum in my head. Katherine Heigle…can’t see it. The Rock would work for Ranger but, my pick would be Vin Diesel. It’s funny how many comments on here wanted the same cast. I agree with the posts that say whoever casted this movie never read the books.
I always thought of Rachael McAdams. Dye her hair brown/black, curly, shoulder length. Perfect Stephanie Plum!
I agree about Morelli part.They needed more italian looking guy. And Sandra Bullock would of been perfect for the part. I hope the movie comes out good, because it probably done. So lets all enjoy.
I agree with most of the posts-bullock/tomei as steph- morelli and ranger should be less known actors that FIT THE DESCRIPTION in the book. neither actors contracted for the roles of morelli and ranger fit the bill.- the movie people should have sent a survey out to the readers as who would be best- like james patterson has/had done for the new “alex cross’ character- and if they did how did i miss it! Katherin Heigel IS NOT stephanie. how dissappointing!!!!
totally agree
These guys are okay I guess (not thrilled) but Ranger is bigger more buff and Katherine is too tall and where is the Hungarian influence? I am very disappointed in her casting as Stephanie. YUCK! She is really going to have to act her butt off to pull it off. I hope Janet didn’t give all the rights of all of her books away. I don’t think she would have cast it this way.
Totally agree, the casting for everyone except Lula is terrible.
The worst casting ever. I don’t even think the casting director read the books.
Totally agree.
Morelli is Italian. Why have they cast a blue-eyed Irishman? Never mind that Heigl is Hollywood blonde instead of Jersey girl. What are they thinking?
Would love to see Sandra Bullock as Stephanie, John Bonjovi as Morelli and Denzel Washington as Ranger; Estelle Getty as grandmother, Lanie Kazan as Steph’s mother; Darrin McGavin as the father.
estelle getty is dead so that would kinda be tough maybe betty white
I always envision who I would cast if I were making a movie from the many series that I read. Heigl will do okay. She proved her comedy skills in 27 Dresses and The Ugly Truth. I agree with the Lula casting. She will be great!! Queen Latifah is not short and round enough to be Lula! I always saw Hector Elizondo as Mr Plum and Joe Manganiello as Morelli. I think the guy cast for Ranger is okay. The Rock is WAY to large … think people, Ranger is not much, if any, taller than Stef! I think of Steve Buscemi when I think of Vinnie . I agree with another poster that Rhea Perlman could be aged up and be great as Grandma!! And as for Connie ,,, Marisa Tomei, hands down! Oh well, we can still envision whoever we want when we read the books!!!
The guy cast as Ranger seems OK, I guess, but Jason O’Mara as Morelli?? Terrible, and so NOT Italian. He’s an OK actor, but not for this part.
I would agree. I can’t picture him as Morelli. If the guy cast as Ranger would have long hair, it MIGHT work. They could have done a better job at casting. And the girl playin stepanie. I don’t see it!
Morelli is supposed to be Italian with dark brown, chocolate eyes. Also his family is ITALIAN.
I agree whole-heartedly about the Morelli thing!!! How is he going to pull off an Italian with those bedroom eyes that we’ve ALL imagined…with that look?! Come on!!!
i agree morelli is italian. this actor doesn’t look italian. but i love the choice for ranger. WOW i can see him as ranger. betty white would make a good grandma LOL
For years I have been trying to cast these characters. I would have never picked Katherine Heigl EVER, but I love Jason O’Mara and I saw Daniel Sunjata in commercials for those Lifetime movies, I thought he would make a good Ranger. I always pictured Morelli as that guy that was Kat’s wife on Witches of Eastwick.
sorry, Kat’s HUSBAND.
Jason O’mara is good as Joe, I might have picked Amaury Nolasco for Ranger though-more dangerous, but still good choices
you know, I never thought about who I would cast for these roles! I’m not so sure about this pick for Ranger. I think my first pick would maybe be The Rock, actually. Never in a million years would have thought of Katherine Heigl. My jury is still out on that one…
Only problem is the rock can’t act. And looks his age. Sunjata can act his ass off and fits the part perfectly. And is a fresh face. Perfect choice I think.
Sunjata maybe be good looking, but he is too young for the Ranger role. And O’Mara just doesn’t look the part for Morelli. Sandra Bullock is the perfect choice for Stephanie. The Rock would be a much better choice for Ranger.
Ranger is about the same age as Stephanie. They’re both thirty-ish. I’m not thrilled with Katherine Heigl as Stephanie, i thought Sandra Bullock or Reese Witherspoon… and i actually wanted David Boreanaz for Morelli, but i’m willing to hope that they’re all good enough actors to make me forget about that… hahaha. i think Mo’nique or Queen Latifah for Lula… and CLoris LEachman or Betty white for Grandma Mazur… and steve buchemi for Vinnie…
With Sherrie Shepard now as Lula, Patrick Fischler and Cristina Aloe said to be vinnie and connie…I really don’t know how this movie’s gonna go. I love the books; they’re great fun, and as long as the actors go with it, this should be just as much fun. The unfortunate bit about this project is that everybody’s been casting the characters since the 90′s and have pretty much cemented a cast they/we are passionate about for these roles. The majority wanted Bullock, The Rock, and Boreanaz-sh guys for Morelli…and that’s how they’ve/we’ve envisioned it for years and years. Heigel’s a big fan of the books, Patrick Fischler was funny on LOST, and I like O’Mara, so I say give this movie (and it’s much-talked about cast) a chance.
Enough about these two. Who’s playing Grandma Mazur???
Betty White! She’s everywhere these days….
not Betty White, though she was great in The Golden Girls I don’t particularly like her for Grandma Mazur, I thought she’d be played by a random newcomer or something.
And I actually like Cathrine Heigl for the role, though I also considered Anne Hathaway even thouh she’s too young
i’m betting on betty white!
For the grandma, I’d go for Grandma Yetta from The Nanny series and definitely The Rock for Ranger. Morelli should ABSOLUTELY be Italian.
How about Betty White? She’s plumper than Grandma in the book but she might be perfect other than body shape.
I think Lulu should be Monique.
I’ve been thinking that Rhea Pearlman, Carla Tortelli from Cheers, might be able to pull of the Grandma Mazur. She’s feisty enough!
Yeah man thats what I want to know
God I would LOVE Betty White to be Granda Mazur! I would go just for her and Ranger moments.
Debbie Reynolds has been picked to play Granny.
Ranger is not the Rock, Jason O’Mara has never appealed to me. I was resolved that he was the lead in terra nova. Heigel leaves me unmoved and disappointed!!
i think cloris leachman would be perfect for grandma!
I’m not liking Katherine Heigl as Stephanie Plum at all. Not sure how I feel about O’Mara either. Daniel Sunjata looks like a good pick.
I completely agree with you. So far they are 1 out of 3. I could get behind Sunjata as Ranger, but the picks for Stephanie and Morelli!? Come on people! Don’t get me wrong the other actors are good looking and all but they are not the characters they’ve been hired to play. If the people casting the movie ever read even one of the books, they would know that.
Some of you have seemed to have forgotten these people are actors and as best I can tell good actors. If they fit the size and general age of the person the book depicts they will play that character. Don’t judge any of them by what they have done before; they were playing other characters. I think they will make a great team. I also think Lulu (Sherri Shepherd) will steal every scene she is in as will grandma. There is so much to look forward to and no reason to count anyone or thing out.
I agree – Sherry Shepherd is a great pick. I think Heigl will do a great job – wasn’t someone I saw playing it but at first but now I like it!
NO, NO, NO!! The guys are okay – but no way Katherine Heigl!!! Not even close!
I always heard Sandra Bullock was in the lead for the role, but I guess that time has passed.
Sandra Bullock would have been a good choice when the book was written but she is too old now and will be if they want to do more than the first book. O’Mara is very dissappionting. He looks like the guy I pictured her ex-husband to be. Sunjata looks a little young but I think he might be able to pull it off. At first I didn’t think Katherine was a good choice. Then she dyed her hair and I realized I can totally picture her burping in front of “sex God” like Morelli and running with a “sexy devil” like Ranger while eating a powder doughnut. Which really isn’t saying much about Katherine Heigl.
Katherine Heigl did a decent job in the Killers, so I can now give her a shot at playing Stephanie. At least we know why she’s dyed her hair.
I agree with you Sandra Bullock is too old and I’m sick of seeing her in every movie.
Also, Mo’nique HAS to be Lula. I’ve said that for years.
No, Sherry from the View!!
I agree, Mo’nique would be perfect as Lula.
I think Queen Latifah for Lula – she has it all for the part.
Sandra Bullock for Stephanie a must (though I love Katherine but not as Stephanie)
Lanie Kazan as Helen
Peter Boyle would have been Frank for sure but he is not with us any more
The Rock most definitely for Ranger
but Daniel does look the part – maybe good choice
I had Helen Hunts’ husband from their show – Paul Reisner? – for Morelli
I like Betty White for Gtandma Mazur – she could pull that off quite well
Laurie’s not saying in particular that she wants Sherry, but that Sherry’s been cast as Lula already.
Paul Reisner – NO
I always saw Ranger as Benjamin Bratt from Miss Congeniality. For Morelli how about McDreamy? LuLu should be Monique from Precious.
Funny, I always saw Morelli as Benjamin Bratt. Too many attractive men in these books!
Never thought about McDreamy for Morelli but, I like it better than O’Mara. I was always afraid that the cast would not live up to what is in my head. I hope it turns out ok.
Ranger, okay. Morelli, not so much. Stephanie???? You’re kidding me, right? Please recast. Heigle doesn’t fit the role at all.
Come on guys if you read the book Daniel is a good pick for Ranger he is hot, I can see Stephaine wanting to cheat with him, but he should workout for the part he’s suppose to be real buff. Thats not a good pick for Morelli cause he’s not italian. katherine I’m not sure about that pick either.
I could totally see Betty White as Grandma Mazur
I was just thinking this! She’d be a hoot.
I was thinking that too. She would be amazing.
Jason O’Mara was great in “Life on Mars.” Glad to see him get this part.
I agree. I loved him on “Life On Mars”, and have been waiting to see him in something new. I think he’ll be a great Morelli, I’m excited.
I, too, have read all the Plum books. Cannot, I repeat, cannot see Heigl as Plum and she’s not even a decent actress! While I love Jason O’Mara, he is not Morelli. Sunjata will have to ‘beef up’ his image to play Ranger. I guess the bottom line here is that I can’t believe all the major characters have been so badly miscast.
Yeah, I think Heigl was a horrible pick. She’s just not a good fit for Steph (can you even imagine her with a Jersey accent?!). Jason O’Mara and Daniel Sunjata are too old for Morelli and Ranger (who I think was 29 in book one). That said, Sunjata could be a great fit, though O’Mara doesn’t seem like a great choice (though much better than Heigl). Channing Tatum always seemed like he could be a great Morelli (he played Italian well in ‘A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints). Jensen Ackles would have been awesome, too. Plus they’re both around the right age.
I think Katherine Heigl is better than when it was mentioned a few years back that Reese Witherspoon would play Stephanie Plum.
Both those guys look too young and pretty… I think Stephanie has to be goofy I reckon Cameron Diaz
Jenson Ackles…yum. That would work for me.
If Sunjata beefs up anymore he’ll be muscle bound. Doubt an actor of his caliber is trying to be the next XXX. I think he’ll do marvelous work. Time will tell:)
I agree with you Sunjata is a good pick, but in the book Ranger is buff. That’s the only issue I have with Sunjata as Ranger I can see why people think the Rock is a good choice, but as far as in looks Sanjata all the way.
Nah. If Sunjata beefs up anymore than he did on lifetime he’ll be muscle bound lol. Don’t think an actor of his calibre is trying to be the next XXX. I think he’ll fit the role marvelously. We’ll find out soon.
Yvonne, I so agree with you. I don’t like the casting for this movie. Ranger should be more buff. Morelli was always a hard one for me to pin down but, this guy doesn’t fit. And Heigle…YUCK! Sooo not right for stephanie. Sherri Shepard might actually work for Lula although Queen Latifah is who I always pictured. And Grandma Mazur should be Yeta from the nanny and Karen Walker from Will and Grace should be Connie.
aw man, I think I just realized who I’ve unwittingly always imagined Grandma Mazur as in my head – Estelle Getty from Golden Girls! She would have been perfect! RIP Estelle…
I always thought Estelle Getty would have done the roll justice. Sorry she is no longer with us. I don’t know who I would choose for Morelli now since Paul is too old. Is there someone that looks like him out there that could pull it off? I haven’t seen this guy in anything before nor Sunjata. He looks good though.
Omara was really good in Life onMars. I think he could pull morelli off. not who i pictured but i’m willing to give him a shot, same with Sunjata. I think CLoris Leachman would be great for Grandma mazur.