My Fair Lady remake casting: Knightley vs. Johansson
 

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, Keira Knightley and Scarlett Johansson are in the running for Eliza.

Will Marni Nixon still sing?

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.

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.

You lost me at "mud". I never did get that particular fetish.

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.

Perhaps if they updated the story a bit. Added some zombies or rapters to it. That could work.

I would totally go see My Fair Zombie!

At least Knightley has an authentic British accent. I'd vote for her.

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.