A very lucky few of the current crop of young Hollywood actors and actresses are often compared favorably to the screen gods and goddesses of Hollywood’s golden age. For me, I always think of Cate Blanchett as so enigmatic, she’s someone like Greta Garbo or Marlene Dietrich. David Boreanaz has always seemed like a young James Garner. Charlize Theron gives off a Veronica Lake and/or Eva Marie Saint vibe. Chris Noth definitely has some Robert Mitchum qualities. As for Angelina Jolie, I always think of Ava Gardner.
Unfortunately, most of today’s actresses are aiming for either Audrey Hepburn or Marilyn Monroe. That’s not a good thing. While I adore Audrey and Marilyn, who will be the next Ingrid Bergman? The next Susan Hayward? The next Barbara Stanwyck? The next Deborah Kerr? Or, for goodness sake, the next Bette Davis? It just shows a lack of imagination on the part of Hollywood as a whole, and actresses specifically, that most of them are trying to fit into those two archetypes, Audrey or Marilyn. I only see Audrey in two of today’s actresses – Keira Knightley and Audrey Tautou, both of them slight, gamine brunettes with a certain watchable quality. Scarlett Johansson… well, she aims for Marilyn most of the time, I think, but she falls flat.
Sorry to go off on that tangent. It seems that My Fair Lady is being remade (big mistake) and the producers are trying to find the best actress to take over the Eliza Doolittle part made famous by Julie Andrews (on the stage) and Audrey Hepburn (in the film). Allegedly, the producers have it down to two actresses – Scarlett and Keira. Oh, brother:
KEIRA Knightley will go head-to-head with Scarlett Johansson for the lead role in the upcoming remake of My Fair Lady.
The 24-year-old – who originally auditioned for the part in 2006 and begun singing lessons – was thought to have the part of Eliza Doolittle in the bag, but sources close to the project say Scarlett is now also a contender.
The Vicky Cristina Barcelona star has already showcased her vocal abilities on a debut album released last year and made such an impression she caught the attention of Lord Lloyd-Webber who approached her about playing Maria in West End production of The Sound of Music.
[From OK! Magazine]
True story – Audrey Hepburn trained and trained to be able to sing her part, but in the end, her voice was mixed with Marni Nixon’s (the famous soprano), much to Audrey’s horror. So it’s not like producers back then were even that concerned as to which actress could actually sing, so why is it a big deal now? Here’s a thought – why not recognize My Fair Lady as a classic that shouldn’t be touched, and cast Keira and Scarlett in something entirely new?
Keira Knightley is shown on 1/27/09. Scarlett Johannson is shown on 7/23/09. Credit: Juan Rico/Fame Pictures
Both Keira Knightley and Audrey Tautou are good choices for the role and both are beautiful, Scarlett Johansson is just dull, looks and acting wise.
I don’t even recognize Scarlett anymore. Agreed that they should leave that classic movie alone.
They should cast someone unknown.
Scarlett looks like a 40 year old secretary. Why does she dress so old?
Jesus – why My Fair Lady when only a few of us musical fans are left? Why not revisit Pygmalion itself? If they did, Keira could do a decent job of it as she does work hard on accents. Michelle Ryan could be good, but she’s not great on poshing up her accent.
Audrey Tatou is a fine actress and quite lovely – but she simply wouldn’t be able to carry off the “Cockney Sparrah” accent.
Interesting assessments of modern vs classic alter egos Kaiser – but I don’t really see Robert Mitchum in Chris Noth. Maybe it’s because I always think of “Ryan’s Daughter” when I think of Mitchum. But I think you’re right – why this insistence on becoming “the next Marilyn”. Much as I think she was stunning and excellent in roles that suited her, she did allow herself to be bossed into a stereotype and also allowed herself to be treated appallingly by Sintra and others. Other than certain young actors, you don’t get men falling over themselves to be the next Valentino or Alec Guinness.
I can’t see either one of them in that role. Keira looks gaunt and isn’t quite pretty enough. Scarlett is way off, not innocent enough looking nor is her face all that attractive.. Neither one is even close to Audrey Hepburn. Please keep looking for someone else. She must be out there somewhere.
Julie Andrews and Audrey Hepburn are both different types and both played Eliza.
My favorite role of Julie’s is Victor/Victoria.
It depends on how the producer’s see the role. Personally, I’d favor a more animated Eliza = Scarlett.
One of both will be a mistake. Keira got qualities but she’s too young to give great power and presence in this play, she’s sometimes too classical and too shy, maybe she’ll be an excellent choice in 5 or 8 years.
Scarlett, she’s simply scary without good manners and british elegance and accent. When i saw her in a historical movie, I laughed. Such a waste of dandruff. She’s simply bad in this part of her job. I prefer her in Woody Allen’s stuff. He seems to be good how to idealize her.
Kiera all the way. Or Anne Hathaway. Scarlett, not so much.
Definitely Kiera.
Scarlett is trying way to hard to create the image of herself as a classic actress with her makeup,hairstyle dress and all
@ Wow, Anne Hathaway, that’s a great idea. She’s spunky, has done an English accent quite well and girl can sing, too.
Kiera seems too earnest somehow. Like the humor would be lost on her, she wouldn’t be able to loosen up enough.
Scarlett, with her deep voice and deadpan delivery, well, she reminds me of a truck driver with a wig on.
god, these choices for eliza dolittle are all bad. anne hathaway she may be the most boring actress i’ve ever seen, scarlett always sounds like she’s talking through a mouth full of marbles, audrey tatou (though i love her) is too similar to audrey hepburn for the role audrey h. made famous, keira is too bland. why is it the same group all the time? surely there must be some new girl with talent. kate winslet would be great but she’s too old.
What about me? C’mon, I played Eliza in high school!
Actually, I agree that they should leave “My Fair Lady” alone (I can get on board with Mairead’s idea of doing “Pygmalion,” though. People forget how hilarious GB Shaw’s original play was). But if they have to do it, Anne Hathaway, please! And I vote for Hugh Laurie as Professor Higgins!
Mairead & Mandy – Totally agree about doing a film version of Pygmalion – I’m in the mood for a GB Shaw revival! At first, that’s what I thought this was going to be – a non-musical, in which case Keira should do it, I think.
And I love LOVE LOVE the idea of Hugh Laurie as Prof. Higgins. Maybe Jim Broadbent as Col. Pickering.
Keira!! Not just very beautiful, but also has a great deal of spirit and intelligence. Scarlett on the other hand resembles a piece of brie cheese.
Pygmalion has a less soppy ending too (much as I love the musical).
Now if we’re going to have Hugh Laurie as ‘enry ‘iggins you MUST have Stephen Fry as Col. Pickering! An hour of diction for you Kaiser me girl for suggesting otherwise. (I think it’s an inspired choice though).
Fellow Paddies and Brits – what about Martine McCutcheon? She did the stage version and was quite well received as far as I remember. What was nice about her is that she had to do the same vocal training herself, unlike Audrey and Julie who started off speaking posh and had to learn the Cockney accent.
Oooooh I know… Billie Piper!! Eliza needs a bit of toughness and insolence which Billie can bring. I think her real-life hubby Laurence Fox could be quite good as Freddie.
What about Emmy Rosum (sp)? She’s young, innocent looking and has a beautiful voice.
How about picking a good actress instead for once? I’m with Gaby on this one Emmy Rossum.
look if they are gonna go with someone i back the commentor who said Anne Hathaway who at least has talent. both Scarlet and Kiera seem like lovely people but i’m a bit tired of Scarlet and Kiera is just so wooden acting wise!
Count on my vote for Emma Rossum as well. She had a wonderful voice in Phantom of the Opera, but she was very young then.
She is 23 now and could have so much fun with the cockney accent. And the transformation into the “mysterious Bulgarian princess at the ball”! What a farce!
I wholly nominate Emma.
I personally prefer Keira. She has already done period pieces well enough, to prove she can act as well as sing. I heard she has been taking more singing classes to improve more. Look wise shes pretty her face is similar to Audrey’s compared to Scarlett who doesnt resemble Audrey at all. So my choice is Keira. By the way there is no point in pointing out others in the race to be Eliza until theyre spoken of by the press. Keep focus! its either Keira or Scarlett . . . not Emmy or Anne.