23 Book-To-Screen Castings That Were Oh-So-Perfect, No One Else Could've Played These Roles Better

    The book nerd inside of me is screaming.

    Lauren Garafano
    by Lauren Garafano

    BuzzFeed Staff

    We asked the BuzzFeed Community which book-to-screen castings were absolutely perfect. Here's what they said:

    🚨Warning: There are MASSIVE spoilers ahead!🚨

    1. Alan Rickman as Severus Snape in the Harry Potter movies

    Snape asking Dumbledore if Harry must die when the time comes to save the wizarding world.
    Warner Bros.

    "Alan Rickman definitely added a true depth to Snape's character in the movies. I already loved this character in the books, and Alan was such an incredible actor that even people who hated Snape were moved by his performance." —silverhera

    2. Lin-Manuel Miranda as Lee Scoresby in His Dark Materials

    Lee explaining to Mrs. Coulter that love doesn't guarantee safety so he refuses to tell her where Lyra is because he swore to protect her.
    HBO

    "The character is a Texan aeronaut arctic explorer, and when they announced the casting I was like, 'Well I love Lin-Manuel but I don't buy him as this cool, tough-as-nails cowboy.' But then he brought a brilliant, sassy energy to the character and totally stole the show!" —beckstickles

    3. Keiynan Lonsdale as Bram in Love, Simon

    Bram revealing to Simon that he's the one who's been emailing him and that he's in love with Simon.
    20th Century Studios

    "I honestly couldn’t come up with a more perfect casting. The movie got some other roles pretty spot on as well, like Alexandra Shipp as Abby, Nick Robinson as Simon Spier, or Jennifer Garner as Emily Spier." —bridget11egan

    4. Sam Claflin as Finnick Odair in The Hunger Games movies

    Finnick sharing his last words to his love Annie, he says, "My love, you have my heart for all eternity. If I die in that arena...my last thought will be of your lips."
    Lionsgate

    "He wasn’t quite what I pictured when I was reading the book, but after watching the films I honestly wouldn’t have wanted anyone else to play him. He was perfect. He had the perfect amount of sass and confidence but still gave a vulnerability that added to the complexity of his character. He made the character much more likable than I was expecting. I was so much more devastated by his death in the film then I was in the book, and I truly think that’s a testament to how well Sam Claflin portrayed him." —strawberrylumps22

    5. Gemma Chan as Astrid in Crazy Rich Asians

    Astrid telling her husband that the problem with their marriage was actually that he was a coward and it was never her job to make him feel like a man.
    Warner Bros.

    "TBH the entire cast was perfect, but she's exactly how I imagined Astrid while reading the books. The style, the beauty, the class, the way she played the characters — it was pure perfection in every way." —mareng49dd7659a

    6. Harry Shum Jr. as Magnus from Shadowhunters

    Clary reminding Magnus that its 9 A.M. but he responds "It's happy hour somewhere, my dear."
    Freeform

    "Harry Shum Jr. does not get enough credit. He definitely captured the extravagant, sassy, and complex character that is Magnus." —tvelazquez10

    7. Amandla Stenberg as Rue in The Hunger Games

    Rue telling Katniss she has to win The Hunger Games before dying.
    Lionsgate

    "She was the perfect combination of clever, sweet, and innocent — exactly like Rue was in the book. Amandla was an actual teenager too, so Rue's death was just as tragic onscreen as it was in the book." —eclipsecat14

    8. Amybeth McNulty as Anne Shirley-Cuthbert in Anne With an E

    Anne introducing herself and asking her teacher to make sure he spells her name with an E at the end.
    Netflix

    "She embodied Anne’s spirit in such a wonderful way that you'd totally forget she was an actress. It was like the actual character came to life." —nutmegcoffee

    9. Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada

    20th Century Studios

    "That’s probably the best book to movie casting of all time!" —evasofie

    10. Wang Yibo as Lan Zhan in The Untamed

    Wei Ying asks Lan to sing him a song as he heals.
    Tencent Video

    "I want to mention the Chinese show The Untamed which is based on the novel Mo Dao Zu Shi It stars Chinese actors/singers like Wang Yibo as Lan Wangji, and the casting is perfect. Lan Wangji is supposed to be cold and unfeeling on the surface, but full of passion and emotion beneath...and Wang Yibo portrays this perfectly. He doesn't have many lines, but he's so good at micro-expressions that reveal what he's thinking and feeling." —shellezbellez

    11. Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan in the Twilight movies

    Bella describing how Edward is pale, fast, and never goes out into sunlight — insinuating that he's a vampire.
    Summit Entertainment

    "She gets slated a lot, but Kristen Stewart as Bella in Twilight was absolutely the right choice. People say she played her really awkwardly, was not charismatic enough, not interesting enough, not glamorous enough, but if you read the book that is literally the exact character of Bella. She is socially awkward, unexceptional, normal looking, not quite fitting in, introverted, no desire to be popular — whether you actually like the character or not, Kristen plays her exactly as she is written. I can't imagine anyone else doing a better job." —emmak26

    12. Lexi Underwood as Pearl Warren in Little Fires Everywhere

    Pearl yelling at her mom because she just found out her mom had been hiding money from them for years and instead of using it to buy them a home, they've been living in their car and moving from place to place.
    Hulu

    —Jen Abidor

    13. Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby

    Gatsby introducing himself to Nick.
    Warner Bros.

    "He knew exactly what he was doing when he played Gatsby. He brought depth and backstory into every single scene!" —mollball03

    14. Lana Condor as Lara Jean Covey in To All the Boys I've Loved Before

    Lara Jean telling Peter that she likes him, and not in a fake way.
    Netflix

    "I read that series so many times and was super excited about the movie. I remember watching it and thinking, 'Yeah, that's Lara Jean.' She was awkward, family-oriented, a baker, uncomfortable, and quirky when she needed to be. That series will always have a special place in my heart." —brookeyamada_

    15. Timothée Chalamet as Elio in Call Me By Your Name

    Elio sitting in front of a fireplace and silently crying.
    Sony Pictures Classics

    "The book is SO internal, focusing on Elio's thoughts and feelings rather than having much action. But somehow, with every movement and glance and expression, Timmy expressed every single one of those feelings impeccably. The film is so immersive and watching it you can feel everything the character is going through as written in the book. It's an unbelievable performance." —rachaelvaletina97

    16. Logan Lerman as Charlie in The Perks of Being a Wallflower

    Charlie breaking down into tears and he's angry at himself so he says, "Stop crying."
    Summit Entertainment

    "Not only did he nail the character's personality and mannerisms, but the portrayal of his trauma and mental health was so raw and vulnerable. I can't imagine anyone else who could've done better in the role." —katcloud

    17. Emily Blunt as Emily Charlton in The Devil Wears Prada

    Andy asking Emily to wish her luck but Emily brushes her off and says, "No. Shan't."
    20th Century Studios

    "Emily Blunt brought such spunk, aplomb, and crackling wit to her portrayal of Miranda Priestly's right hand. Her electric delivery of Emily's most biting retorts is what made them so quotable all these years later. Every time I hear someone mention The Devil Wears Prada I can't help but remember Emily's pointed, 'No. Shan't,' clear as a bell. With her scene-stealing portrayal, Emily Blunt turned what would've otherwise been a token supporting role into a wonderfully unforgettable one." —mavmag

    18. Michael Clarke Duncan as John Coffey in The Green Mile

    John crying and saying, "I'm tired, Boss. Tired of being on the road, lonely as a sparrow in the rain."
    Warner Bros.

    "He was exactly how I envisioned John in the book and he was able to convey John's gentleness perfectly. The whole cast was perfect but he stood out the most." —noodle192000

    19. Bill Hader as Richie Tozier in It Chapter Two

    Richie screaming "Yippee-ki-yay" before It puts him in a trance.
    Warner Bros.

    "He had the right look and the same excellent comedic timing as the character in the book." —svenegas09

    20. Florence Pugh as Amy March in Little Women (2019)

    Amy explaining to Laurie how even though she's talented and smart, there's no way for her to make her own money. Despite all her best efforts, she will always be like a piece of property to her husband.
    Sony Pictures Releasing

    "I didn't really like Amy in the book, but Florence made me fall in love with her. She made me root for her and Laurie's relationship." —axvery

    21. Billy Burke as Charlie Swan in the Twilight movies

    Charlie loading his gun as he gets ready to meet Edward Cullen for the first time.
    Summit Entertainment

    "He was exactly how I pictured him and while he was kinda clueless about raising a teenage daughter, he was so loving and just wanted to protect her. The scene where he's drinking his beer and cleaning his gun gets me every time." —madisonmurray1

    22. Lenny Kravitz as Cinna in The Hunger Games movies

    Cinna telling Katniss, "Remember I'm still betting on you, Girl on Fire," as he places a mockingjay pin on her sleeve.
    Lionsgate

    "I actually pictured him while reading the books! He fit that character to a T." —aurorap45ab8eba2

    23. And finally, Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones as Connell and Marianne in Normal People

    Marianne saying she hopes Connell doesn't have a hard time resisting her and he replies "don't I always?"
    Hulu

    "Daisy and Paul have some of the best on screen chemistry I've ever seen. Watching Normal People makes you forget they're even acting, they're just that good. They will always be Connell and Marianne in my eyes." —Lauren Garafano

    Note: Responses have been edited for length and clarity.