I’ve read so many books in my life. Like, tons of them. I need to pick just one character? Not likely. I’ve read so many books that I can’t even think of single, specific characters. Huh. This is a tough one.
Most of the lead characters that come to mind are normal every day folks who find themselves faced with a supernatural something or someone (I have read a lot of horror and science fiction). Being one of those heroes wouldn’t be interesting, but being the villain might… although I don’t want to be the bad guy.
I’ve read a few Star Wars and Star Trek novels in the past. I could pick Luke Skywalker or Captain Kirk. I could pick Harry Potter too but his young life has been a bit on the crappy side so I’ll pass on him. I could stay in the Potterverse and pick Ron Weasley. I won’t though. If you take out the magic you’re left with a red head who lacks self confidence which is pretty much me as a teenager already so… pass.
The one that keeps coming back to me is Gentle from Clive Barker’s novel Imajica. He was a super talented magic user type guy. He was a complete screw up in life, but could be redeemable. There is a bit of backstory that (Spoiler Alert – Skip to the next paragraph to avoid a potential spoiler) includes being a blood relative to a psychotic thing that thought it was… maybe… ya know… god. Yeah, I’ll pass on that baggage.
Okay, let’s go with Luke Skywalker. That way I could be a Jedi and any time I walk toward a super market’s automatic doors everyone would have to wonder if they opened because I hit the doors’ sensor, or did they open because I used The Force.
ADDENDUM: I just reread the question. I totally missed the part about “book or film” and only read books. Oh well. The answer is the same either way.
Inside the Red Head's Head 