Image Credit: Jaco Marais/Gallo Images/Getty Images; Theo Wargo/WireImage.comAs an answer to the infrequently asked question, “Why don’t people ever try to sail across the globe for hundreds of days in a tiny boat anymore?” 16-year-old Abby Sunderland went missing somewhere in the Indian Ocean on Thursday while in the middle of an attempt to break the record for the youngest person to go around the world in a sailboat. But don’t fret, the young circumnavigator, who was clearly trying to be gellin’ like Magellan, was found safe and sound. Which means the following attempt to cast the movie version of her journey will be in good taste. Yay!
Emma Roberts might be a good pick, or maybe even Mia Wasikowska, but reading Abby’s blog, it’s clear that she’s a smart, well-spoken girl, so it’s possible that the movie could use someone a little more, well, precocious. And there’s no one more precocious in Hollywood now than Dakota Fanning, who’s also just about the right age. Whoever it is, the actress should be able to hold her own, considering there probably won’t be that many supporting actors. And if Hollywood wants to kill two birds with one stone, they could combine two stories and have Abby get rescued by Balloon Boy, who just happened to be floating by.
Any ideas for possible casting? If they do make a movie, should Wilson Q. Volleyball make a cameo appearance?
WILSOONNNN!
And yes I think Dakota Fanning would be able to hold her own ala Tom Hanks
Jennifer Aniston.
amanda bynes
if they wait a couple years to make it, my vote is abigail breslin.
NO, YOU DUMBASS. ABIGAIL BRESLIN ALREADY DID A BORING JOB OF SAILING ON THE HIGH SEAS IN THAT CRAP ALEX RIDER MOVIE NIM’S ISLAND WITH GERARD BUTLER AND JODIE FOSTER.
DAKOTA FANNING would definitely be preferable to Abigail, though perhaps some new blood altogether would be ideal for this kind of movie.
Betty White
I thought Dakota Fanning almost immediately. She’s about the same age, kind of resembles the girl and definetely has the acting chops. Jennifer Anniston is way too old and Amanda Bynes doesn’t have the acting talent. Abigail Breslin could work in a few year. And if they cast Betty White I would totally be there on opening night!!
Ugh…making a movie of this girl’s journey will just make more parents “help” their young kids with their dreams to do crazy stunts.
You are being ridiculous. I am so sick of people saying that this was a silly stunt. She trained her entire life for this, like many other athletes. I would hate to be your child, you probably helicopter parented them to the point that they can’t even walk outside alone without wetting themselves.
What are you 13? No wonder you view the world so black and white. If you ever become/are a parent, you must be one of those that drives your kids to a bazillion auditions so that you can live vicariously through them and experience their glory and fame. There, how was that assessment based on your comment?
Actually, all four of my kids did, as a matter of fact, wet themselves while walking outside alone. The event generally took place on the short walk between the front door and the car two minutes after being parachuted into a snowsuit, hat, scarf, boots and mittens. Sometimes with a pair of longjohns thrown in for good measure. Didn’t mean I was a helicopter parent, it just meant it was cold outside and I’d have to pick up a fresh supply of laundry soap while I was at it at the grocery store.
For the record, it WAS a silly stunt. Not to mention downright irresponsible. Birds may need to fly and fish may need to swim but no sixteen year old needs to sail around the world on an itty bitty little sailboat all by herself. Dreams and quests will still be there when you’re twenty five, for now, sixteen is just too young.
There is plenty of adventure along the US Pacific Coast for a minor to have. Part of being under 18 is that one is afforded relative consequence free “do-overs”. Sailing around the world alone does not allow for “do-over” chances.
Abby’s activities are not about sailing, but about publicity, and her parents should be ashamed of themselves for exploiting their child for fame.
–Dave
I think Emma Watson would do this role justice. She’s 4 years older than Abby, but she’s a very talented actress and she’s youthful, so she can play younger than her age.
Eyebrow girl? No thanks. I think Abigail Breslin in a few years. Let the news cool off first.
Hardy Har Har. The eyebrow joke is so old.
I honestly think this would be a very boring movie. No one would see it regardless of who they cast.
But who should play the sailing girl’s irresponsible parents? Why, they could get Dina and Michael Lohan; I’m sure they’d accept the chance to be onscreen, and they’d certainly be very convincing in the roles.
Lol. Exactly what I was thinking after I had processed this. Who lets a 16 year old go sailing around the world by herself???
Chloe Grace Moretz was convincing as an 11-year-old assassin. I don’t think there’s a role out there she couldn’t handle.
Justin Bieber
and abby’s parents aren’t irresponsible. i doubt the state and her parents would have let her sail without doing all that training. and it’s something that abby pursued. and in an interview her mom did she said that she thought abby was crazy at that age to want to sail around the world. but again, i doubt her parents and the laws would have let her gone without proper training. so do some research before judging. what if it was an adult? what would you be saying then?
Actually, her parents were just on the Today show, and they are every bit as obnoxious and fame seeking as I thought they would be. In the space of two minutes, they bragged about their two little wunderkinds into the point of delusion. Everyone who criticizes them is “jealous” that their children are such super brilliant overachievers. GAG.
too bad she isn’t still lost. but the mom has another bun in the oven so i guess she would have been replaced.
also annasophia robb would be a good choice. either her or saoirse ronan
Rwally people? There’s only ONE teenage blonde with the emotional depth to play this Oscar-bait film: Saoirse Ronan! I’m disappointed, EW.
How about no one? After all, who really needs to see a movie about this ridiculous garbage. It was super cool when the 17 year old guy who was on Kimmel did this last year–she’s just bandwagon jumping for her 15 minutes. Btw, did you hear her parents statement after she was found ok, “we’re happy that there was a good outcome”. What a wholesome, loving family…ew