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View Full Version : My Fair Lady remake casting: Knightley vs. Johansson

SzczerbiakManiac
09-02-2009, 12:35 PM
I wasn't previously aware of a planned My Fair Lady remake. MFL seems like a poor choice for a remake, but hey, it's their money.

According to The Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/6111569/Keira-Knightley-battles-Scarlett-Johansson-to-be-My-Fair-Lady.html), Keira Knightley and Scarlett Johansson are in the running for Eliza.
Strangler Lewis
09-02-2009, 12:44 PM
Will Marni Nixon still sing?
Ghoulish Delight
09-02-2009, 12:45 PM
So what you're saying is, the odds of there being a Knightley-on-Johansson clothes-tearing cat fight, possibly involving mud, oil, or non-brand-specific-gelatin dessert have suddenly sky rocketed. Today is a good day.
Strangler Lewis
09-02-2009, 12:46 PM
Now I've read the article. I actually was going to joke that Daniel Craig would play Higgins for a maximum Hollywood sex-up. I guess it ain't no joke.
Moonliner
09-02-2009, 12:56 PM
So what you're saying is, the odds of there being a Knightley-on-Johansson clothes-tearing cat fight, possibly involving mud, oil, or non-brand-specific-gelatin dessert have suddenly sky rocketed. Today is a good day.

You lost me at "mud". I never did get that particular fetish.
flippyshark
09-02-2009, 01:14 PM
I know that Scarlet is a competent (not thrilling) singer, and I appreciate that she likes Tom Waits. (I didn't think her renditions were particularly revelatory.) Does Keira sing at all? I have a hard time imagining either of them doing a cockney acccent.

And yes, the whole notion seems unnecessary.
Moonliner
09-02-2009, 01:22 PM
And yes, the whole notion seems unnecessary.

Perhaps if they updated the story a bit. Added some zombies or rapters to it. That could work.
SzczerbiakManiac
09-02-2009, 01:24 PM
I would totally go see My Fair Zombie!
Stan4dSteph
09-02-2009, 01:26 PM
At least Knightley has an authentic British accent. I'd vote for her.
Alex
09-02-2009, 01:30 PM
It's a play. I wouldn't care if they staged a new Broadway production so I'm fine with them trying it as a movie again.

I'd really rather not watch Johansson try a Cockney accent and then have to slowly lose it through the movie. Unlike other recent movies where the mediocre singing by the actors (Chicago, Mamma Mia!) was supposed to be part of the charm I don't think you can go that route with My Fair Lady. So if they're going to cast stars over voice I hope they're willing to dub the singing, I'm fine with that.

Assuming dubbing, I think Knightley is probably better at the physical comedy. Johansson does "goofy" ok but hasn't impressed me comedically (not that Knightley has had many opportunities either). Plus, can you dirty up Johansson for the start of the movie and have it fly?

So, I'd prefer they cast the singing but if forced to choose between the two I'd say Knightley.
JWBear
09-02-2009, 01:49 PM
SACRILAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Moonliner
09-02-2009, 01:52 PM
So, I'd prefer they cast the singing but if forced to choose between the two I'd say Knightley.

Miley Cyrus is an actress/singer and would guarantee a built-in audience.
LSPoorEeyorick
09-02-2009, 01:55 PM
The correct answer is Anne Hathaway.

(Really. She's great. I saw her sing live at the Hollywood Bowl for the Sondheim Celebration.)
Alex
09-02-2009, 01:57 PM
Yes, if it is a well known American, Anne Hathaway seems like a great choice.
LSPoorEeyorick
09-02-2009, 02:13 PM
Miley Cyrus is an actress/singer and would guarantee a built-in audience.

Don't joke about that ****. They cast Fergie in "Nine."
flippyshark
09-02-2009, 02:15 PM
Agreed - Hathaway seems a far more natural choice.
Ghoulish Delight
09-02-2009, 02:32 PM
You lost me at "mud". I never did get that particular fetish.
Neither do I, but it seemed part and parcel to the stereotype I was posting as.
alphabassettgrrl
09-02-2009, 03:28 PM
My vote is for gelatin. Pervy, and tasty.
lashbear
09-02-2009, 04:52 PM
Will Marni Nixon still sing?
You beat me to it !!
The correct answer is Anne Hathaway.
You beat me to it !!

Although, they should let Julie Andrews do it...... at last. ;)
Strangler Lewis
09-02-2009, 05:29 PM
Agreed - Hathaway seems a far more natural choice.

Especially for the uncomfortable topless scene when Mr. Doolittle tries to peddle her to Higgins and Pickering.
Tom
09-02-2009, 07:12 PM
The only interest I had in this remake was when I heard that Emma Thompson (who is writing it) wanted Hugh Laurie to play Higgins. That I would have seen.

As for the women... since Johannsen can't act a lick, I'd take Knightley, who sometimes can. But the ideal would be option C (none of the above).
Eliza Hodgkins 1812
09-02-2009, 07:49 PM
When I first read about this, Emma Thompson was writing the screenplay with Hugh Laurie in mind for Higgins, which seemed PERFECT. Even the age difference between him and a Knightly would have been appropriate for the characters. Ah, well. I loved Knightly in P&P and if she can't sing I only hope they find a voice for her face. They did so for Audrey Hepburn and it worked well. Anne H., though American, would have been my first choice.
Eliza Hodgkins 1812
09-02-2009, 07:51 PM
The only interest I had in this remake was when I heard that Emma Thompson (who is writing it) wanted Hugh Laurie to play Higgins. That I would have seen.

As for the women... since Johannsen can't act a lick, I'd take Knightley, who sometimes can. But the ideal would be option C (none of the above).

Funny. I'd say Johannsen is also someone who sometimes can. She was very real in Ghost World.
Strangler Lewis
09-02-2009, 07:55 PM
Hugh Laurie as Higgins and Stephen Fry as Pickering would be fun. Rowan Atkinson as Doolittle. Or switch them all around.
Morrigoon
09-02-2009, 11:07 PM
You know who made fantastic Doolittle (at the Hollywood Bowl) was Roger Daltrey. Freaking fantastic.
Strangler Lewis
09-03-2009, 07:15 AM
Oddly, it appears that Roger Daltrey is about the same age now as Stanley Holloway was when he first played the role on stage.
Betty
09-03-2009, 07:28 AM
Hugh Laurie as Higgins

I love Hugh Laurie and that would be fun!
flippyshark
09-03-2009, 09:59 AM
You know who made fantastic Doolittle (at the Hollywood Bowl) was Roger Daltrey. Freaking fantastic.

Wish I had seen that.
Alex
09-03-2009, 10:09 AM
House Hugh Laurie or Black Adder Hugh Laurie or Live Action 101 Dalmatians Hugh Laurie or Stuart Little Hugh Laurie?

I'm only interested if he does it as the Prince George.
Strangler Lewis
09-03-2009, 12:09 PM
I would assume some combination between House Hugh Laurie and Sense and Sensibility Hugh Laurie.
JWBear
09-03-2009, 12:14 PM
Or the Jeeves & Wooster Hugh Laurie?
SzczerbiakManiac
09-03-2009, 12:30 PM
BBC version of Whose Line Is It Anyway Hugh Laurie gets my vote.
Moonliner
09-03-2009, 12:50 PM
The only interest I had in this remake was when I heard that Emma Thompson (who is writing it) wanted Hugh Laurie to play Higgins. That I would have seen.

As for the women... since Johannsen can't act a lick, I'd take Knightley, who sometimes can. But the ideal would be option C (none of the above).

Doh!

My brain read "Emma Thompson" as "Emma Waston" :rolleyes:

Still all in all, now that I think about it, Emma Watson would be fine for the role.