Once again I am excited about an upcoming movie. I received a tweet yesterday about Katherine Heigl’s new movie poster, so I clicked the link.

Suddenly I was staring into the eyes of Stephanie Plum, the beautiful bounty-hunter created by Janet Evanovich. One for the Money is due for release January 27, 2012.

As of today, I haven’t had the chance to keep up with all of the Stephanie Plum novels—there are twenty or so—but the ones I have read kept me laughing out loud, from the edge of my seat.

I do intend to read them all, because when I’m not reading them, it feels like I’m missing out on something. The characters are quite realistic, with their faults and dreams showing, just like the rest of us.

I’m anxious to see how the book adapts to the big screen, so I did a tiny bit of digging to see what the producers put together for us.

Since the Plum series is certainly marketed to women, I was delighted to see that the director and the screenwriters are all women. I’m confident that they will bring as much wit and sensitivity to the characters as they deserve.

I enjoy Katherine Heigl’s work as well. She always seems to capture both the strength and the frustration of the modern woman without being domineering or whiney. She makes me laugh, and isn’t afraid to humiliate herself for the good of the work. Perfect for Stephanie!

IMDb.com gave me the rest of the cast as well. John Leguizamo will play Jimmy Alpha. Daniel Sunjata plays Ranger. The very handsome Jason O’Mara takes the part of Joe Morelli. They all fill those parts nicely. When I saw that Patrick Fischler will be playing Vinnie Plum, I smiled ear to ear, because while reading the first book, he is the actor my brain cast for that part, too!

Now for my two favorite characters, and I know for sure I’m not the only one anticipating these castings. Sherri Shepherd will play the tough but loveable Lula. Debbie Reynolds will fill the role of Grandma Mazur, Stephanie’s slightly nutty grandmother (and part-time side-kick) that socializes at the local mortuary. I don’t want to sound overly impressed, but—DEBBIE REYNOLDS!!!! (I’m doing a happy dance, and it’s difficult to type!)

Maybe I’m overreacting. It’s just a movie. I know.

You say you haven’t read these books… you don’t know if you’d like a movie about a young unemployed divorcee who takes a job with her bail-bondsmen cousin as a bounty hunter? Fair enough, it might not be for everyone. But you have a few months to decide for sure.

Go to your library or bookstore and check out One for the Money by Janet Evanovich, and read it by the end of the year. Then you can tell me if you’re ready to see Stephanie Plum hit the silver screen. I can hardly wait!

That’s a wrap for this Toast to Cinema! Thanks for reading!