The movie will air for the first time Sunday, November 6 at 9pm. No word as yet from USA about whether there will be more Prey movies, but one assumes that if this one does well, they’ll at least consider future episodes. They have twenty novels to choose from, after all, before they have to think about writing their own plots.
I’m a longtime follower of Sanford’s novels. Although I’ve never pictured Davenport as looking like Mark Harmon, the casting isn’t as egregious as, say, Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher, so I am willing to give it a shot.
How about you?
Update: Hey, we’ve put up more info, along with the trailer! What do you think?
Updated Update!: We got to interview him in person (with audio) to ask about some of the questions raised in the comments. Hear what Harmon says!
I’m with you on this one. Love Mark Harmon. Love John Sanford.
Love Mark Harmon. Not crazy about the Prey series but the movie is certainly worth a first look.
Oh, WHEW. I was afraid they would do something ridiculous like the Cruise casting. Mark Harmon can read the phone book at me and I’d be happy. Wonder who’ll play Weather?
Just saying – maybe Mark Harmon will cleanse the Eric LaSalle Davenport from my memory…..
Love Mark Harmon and have enjoyed the Prey series for years. Can’t wait to see this movie. I can so easily picture Mark as Lucas.
I think the correct spelling is Sandford —
You’re absolutely right, Anne! I can’t explain why all of us looking at it–and fans by the way!–didn’t notice. Thanks for your sharp eyes!
I love Mark Harmon!!! Its the only reason I am going to watch this movie..LOL I have never read a Sandford book, but I like these types of novels so I am going to catch the movie!!
Harmon seems a little short and a little old to play Davenport, but he definitely fits the tough guy roll and from what I can see in 30 seconds, they’ve got Claire pegged as well as the Davenport walk / wardrobe / attitude.
I am with pwlemons here. The last Prey movie was LaSalle’s mess and that I like to forget.
Not sure I like Harmon for the job, but I like him and I have high hopes that this time around they will do this series some justice.
Have been a a huge fan of John Sandford since the first book, Rules of Prey, and have wanted them to do more movies. Hopefully they will if this one is a success.
Love nearly all Sandford work. Guess I pictured Lucas a bit bigger, intimidating. But I don’t hate Harmon, and he has some acting chops so movie will be interesting. The Prey series is a bit bloody and violent, perfect for TV ala early Criminal Minds, Dexter, and CSI. It’s fun to see your favorite books come to life.
I love Mark Harmon but he is too old to play Lucas Davenport. Maybe 20 years ago when he looked like he did when he played Ted Bundy in the “Deliberate Stranger”. I have read all the “Prey” novels and I always pictured Lucas as tall, dark and suave. I can’t see Mark jumping in and out of sport cars and being a romantic lead at his age. This is nothing against him. I have been a fan of his for years but he is not Lucas Davenport. I won’t watch the series.
You Bet!
I’ll give Mark a chance as Lucas, but how about Josh Duhamel as Reacher instead of Cruise. Josh might be a little to handsome, but he’s got the size. Cruise will have to have lifts with adversaries standing in holes.
Agree with the above. But love them both — so will eagerly await the first movie. Wonder if they will see that Harmon has “the scar”. Remember by the time Lucas is with Weather he is not a spring chicken.
You can’t see Mark Harmon as a romantic lead? Oh my goodness, YES! Pam Dawber is a very lucky lady!
I have read every “Prey” novel and have been a huge fan of Sandford’s for years! I like Mark Harmon, but see him as “Gibbs” – not really Lucas Davenport! I will watch because I like to see what they can do to bring a book to life via movie/tv, but I just don’t see him in this role.
I’M A HUGE FAN OF EVERYTHING JOHN SANDFORD (CAMP) WRITES – AND I TOTALLY ADORE MARK HARMON AS ‘GIBBS’ AND IN OTHER PRODUCTIONS. BUT BUT BUT MARK HARMON IS NOT NOT NOT LUCAS DAVENPORT. FOR ALL OF THE REASONS GIVEN ABOVE AND SO MANY MORE. HE IS WONDERFUL – LUCAS IS ALSO WONDERFUL – BUT THEY ARE MOST CERTAINLY TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE. HEY, LUCAS IS ROUGH, TOUBH RIPPED AND TERRIFYING……….. MARK HARMON IS A SWEETIE NO MATTER WHAT HE PLAYS. ANYONE HAVE A SUGGESTION FOR ANOTHER ACTOR TO PLAY LUCAS? WHO’S YOUR FAVORITE ALPHA MALE? I THINK THIS GENERATION IS FRESH OUT OF ‘STEELY EYED HEROS. DARN!
I like Mark Harmon, but he is not Lucas Davenport. Not big enough, not tough enough, too light. Gabriel Byrne has been suggested. Also, having listened to many Prey audiobooks, the voice simply must be Richard Ferrone.
The man who should be Lucas Davenport is the guy who plays the lead on Suits – Gabriel Macht – with a little grey put in his hair and buff him up a little he would be perfect.
Let’s face it, there are only a handful of fictional detectives that have been cast well (PBS aside). For instance, Tom Selleck is the perfect Jesse Stone. I agree with most of the posts here. I just can’t see Mark Harmon as Lucas Davenport.
(BTW- For those of you not familiar with the Prey Series, the latest, Buried Prey is a masterpiece, a work of art, and shows that Sanford, like a ’61 Chateau Margaux or a ’92 Jordan Cabernet, just gets better with age.)
Now Mark Harmon as Harry Bosch…., there’s a match made in Edgar-land.
Interesting, Jeremy. Why do you think Harmon would do better with Bosch than with Davenport?
I’d say my major qualm with this casting is that Davenport always seems to carry a deep-seated rage that Harmon doesn’t project. But by Certain Prey, he’s a little more self-aware at least than he was in the earlier books.
Mark Harmon is not, not, not Lucas Davenport! He atleast better have the scar. It would make him look less “preppy”. No amount of “great acting” could make Mark Harmon – Lucas Davenport.I was so hoping they would have made the right choice for Davenport. I enjoyed all the Prey novels.
Don’t care who plays lucas- just great they are bringing the prey series to TV. anyone read John D MacDonald and the Travis McGee series- remember when they brought one of those novels to TV- can’t remember who played travis- can still picture him though- but it was a big disappointment – hope this movie doesn’t play out like that one did!
I would never have thought of Mark Harmon, but it is a pleasing choice. And Certain Prey!!! Probably my favourite book. I’m looking forward to seeing it. Who could playVirgil if it ever came to that, though!?
I wonder how long before we see it in New Zealand?
I’m a huge Sandford fan and a big Harmon/NCIS fan, but this casting makes no sense to me. Harmon is all wrong for Davenport. He is really going to have to do a job of acting here. If he comes across as Gibbs-in-a-Porsche, I will be disappointed.
Gabriel Macht would make a great Virgil … not Lucas.
JeremyG said Tom Selleck is a great Jesse Stone, and I agree with that But he is around 15 years older than the Jesse described in the books. Funny, when I read the books I hear Tom Selleck talking. While I’m a bit disappointed in the way the films are drifting away from the books, I enjoy both books and films immensely.
I am pretty excited that there is a Lucas film coming out, and think Harmon will do justice to the role.
First let me say I have read every Prey book and loved them all and as much as I love to watch Mark Harmon he did not fit the part of Lucas. Although he was significantly better than Eric LaSalle. They were way off base with Marcie as well but the woman (from Criminal Minds) was spot on.
Good for her. Read the books people then watch the movie again. I think you will be as disappointed as I was with the story line.
I would like to say to Mr Sandford you have probably made tons of money from the books so don’t let the movie people ruin your characters in this way.
Just saw the movie last night. I have been reading (and re-reading) the Prey series for many years. All of the discussions so far center on whether or not Harmon is right as Davenport. He’s not, but the adaptation had many more problems than that. The relationship with his team was way off. His demeanor and confidence level was simply not Lucas. And what was up with the need to make him the playboy of the Twin Cities. Lucas always had his ladies, up until Weather, but not like this! Made him look like a jerk. I’ve always thought the Prey series would make great film. But the two made so far are total failures. I think I’ll stick to the novels where there is actually some brilliance.