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Sunday
25Oct2009

Keira Knightley is Director Joe Wright's 'Fair Lady'

DateSunday, October 25, 2009 at 12:17PM
I'm rather surprised this was a two-woman race, or at least, that one of the two women was ever being considered. The Telegraph says that Keira Knightley will play Eliza Doolittle in a new version of My Fair Lady, which isn't terribly surprising, since she was rumored for the role a year ago and she's probably England's leading leading lady right now.

But could you see Scarlett Johansson in the role? Man, that would not be a good decision. So, thankfully, that's been avoided, although she was apparently the other star in the running.

Now, please don't bring up that old argument about Hollywood having no new ideas in this case: My Fair Lady is a remake already, so what's the difference? As remakes go, however, Keira as Eliza Doolittle is pretty good, especially in they're trying to turn a big profit, and Emma Thompson is writing the screenplay, and that's definitely a step in the right direction.

I also like that Joe Wrightv has been named as the director. I've said before that you don't often see a growth rate for a director as dramatic as Wright's rise from Pride and Prejudice to Atonement. Obviously, both of those starred Knightley, so here's a high-profile remake where the star is comfortable with the director and vice versa, so that's better than picking up pieces that may not go together as well.

As for Henry Higgins, I liked Pierce Brosnan until I heard him sing in Mamma Mia!, but the producers are apparently looking at another Bond, Daniel Craig. I'm not sold on 007 there, and maybe a Colin Firth or something is more in order. But that's far from being settled.

AuthorColin Boyd | | in , , , , , | Print ArticlePrint Article | | Comment3 Comments |

Reader Comments (3)

Brilliant! I think Keira is going to be great as Eliza and I love Joe Wright, he's a wonderful director! Can't wait to see this remake!

Sunday, October 25, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterEmma

Excellent! While a My Fair Lady - remake is surely risky on paper, with Wright's direction, Thompson's screenplay and the perfect choice of Knightley as the lead will make this undoubtedly FANTASTIC.

But come on, GET HUGH LAURIE ! He would be absolutely perfect for this role. Humble suggestions for the cast :

- Eliza Doolittle - Keira Knigtley (perfect choice)
- Professor Henry Higgins - Hugh Laurie (he is a household name INTERNATIONALLY, so he could bring in a wider range of audience, he can sing and dance, and it could be a nice UK comeback + Emma Thompson's friend) runner up: Colin Firth
- Colonel Hugh Pickering - Stephen Fry
- Alfred P. Doolittle - Ricky Gervais (he is a quite obvious choice)
- Mrs. Higgins - Julie Andrews (a nice gesture honoring the original play with casting the VERY original lead)
- Freddy Eynsford-Hill - Robert Pattinson (he is huge right now, he can sing and just like Laurie, he could really widen the range of the audience) runner up: Hugh Dancy
- Mrs. Pearce - Juliet Stevenson (could do wonders to the role; Being Julie, anyone ?)

This way the film would feature
- the most famous face of primetime television (Laurie) which could be a big draw to anyone - and there are a lot of them worldwide - who watches House (aged between 18-49 male and female)
- the biggest teen idol (Pattinson) who would definitely bring in the much-younger audience compared to the average-musical-goers (under 21 females)
- and Julie Andrews who could be a big draw to the ones who prefer the original version (middle-aged to elderly)
and with its broadened audience it would have a clear shot at remarkable commercial success around the world without compromising its all-british cast.

(Sry, if my English wasn't perfect.)

Monday, October 26, 2009 | Unregistered Commenterphantom

Love your ideas there Phantom. Hugh Laurie would be great.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterKellifer

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