In modern times, folks tend to think along cinematic lines when reading a novel: Who would play this part or that? I'm no different, though when I forged the lead antagonist, Palmer Perdifious, for Mark Justice's the Dead Sheriff, Vol 4: Purity, I stirred a semblance which rose on its own. In truth, I do believe that as it stands, illustrator Rob Davis' depiction honors the character to the adversarial tee. (Davis has even gone so far as to say that Perdifious "scared the crap out of me".) See below: That's Perdifious seated in one of Davis' eerie renderings.
Nevertheless, which actor might I cast in a Purity adaptation? For the fun of it, I've chosen five performers, two of whom, alas, are no longer with us, but each I believe would be well suited to play Purity's clairvoyant malefactor.
1) Woody Harrelson:
Mr. Harrelson has excelled portraying villains, in particular in War of the Planet of the Apes, Rampart and Natural Born Killers. He'll no doubt make one crazy Carnage, if the Venom credits bit is any indication. He has a personable side, too, even when playing bad, which I suppose bounces back to his Cheers, White Men Can't Jump and The Cowboy Way days. (This congeniality actually resurfaced in the Zombieland set.) However, disfigured, garbed in black and with an adequate squint, Harrleson would strike a most formidable Peridfious figure.
2) Lee Van Cleef:
Mr. Van Cleef was always chilling, no matter which side of the moral compass he stood. He rose to the occasion even in supporting roles, as in Escape from New York and It Conquered the World. He certainly possessed the tall, slender, steely-eyed look to complement Perdifious, and in Purity's final passages, it's easy to envision the western icon taking the antagonist to the max to capture Cheveyo's coveted, dark-magic amulet.
3) Kris Kristofferson:
Mr. Kristofferson is also seen as a proverbial good guy, but he's taken a worthy stab at villainy. If one has any doubts, check out his portrayal in Lone Star. He also emits a casual introspection, as found in The Sailor Who Fell From Grace with the Sea. Above all, his lanky semblance fits Purity's period: Consider Kristofferson's persona (even if beardless) in Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid; he looks organic within the western setting.
4) Tom Savini:
Mr. Savini holds a penetrating scowl, which projects charismatic meanness. He'd make a great Dracula in this respect. (His cameos in The Ripper and Sea of Dust confirm so.) He can also trigger an apt, mischievous twinkle for any edgy character, as his depictions of Blades in Dawn of the Dead '79 and Sir Morgan in Knightriders prove, not to mention his plucky, From Dusk Till Dawn Sex Machine. To boot, Savini's maestro make-up skills would allow him to peak Perdifious' requisite, sinister stance to sublime levels.
5) John Saxon:
Mr. Saxon swayed effectively in many roles, and though embraced as an amicable type (Enter the Dragon, A Nightmare on Elm Street I, III, VII and The Girl Who Knew Too Much/Evil Eye), he could be cold and cutting when needed (Prisoners of the Lost Universe, Cannibal Apocalypse, Battle Beyond the Stars and Appaloosa). Bristly and blotched, Saxon would've no doubt knocked it out of the park, giving Perdifious his sadistic twinge and the beguiling charm that madmen follow.
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There you have it and all for good ol' whimsy's sake.
Mark Justice's The Dead Sheriff #4: Purity can be purchased at
https://www.amazon.com/Mark-Justices-Dead-Sheriff-Purity/dp/1946183946/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=michael+housel&qid=1609944675&sr=8-1
and
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mark-justices-the-dead-sheriff-rob-davis/1138283706?ean=9781946183941
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