Gabriel Maxson - Michael Clarke Duncan

Gabriel’s character is special. According to the book, he is “46 years old, has a metal plate in his head, an injury during World War II.” The actor I had in mind for Gabriel is Michael Clarke Duncan who played John Coffey in the movie, Green Mile. Mr. Duncan has such an open, happy and innocent face that he can play Gabriel Maxson very well. Gabriel “believes with every fiber of his being that he is the Archangel Gabriel”(24).  John Coffey was unearthly, he had the ability to heal. Gabriel is in his belief that he is Archangel Gabriel is also otherworldly. He is certainly not aware or conscious that his brother Troy took his money and bought the house, yet he has to pay rent. Like his namesake, Gabriel Maxson is powerful, but gentle: a protector as was evidenced by “That’s the hell hounds. I got to chase them out of here. Go on get out of here! Get out!” (27). Michael C. Duncan is such a big man, but he is gentle; exactly like Gabriel.