MAMMA MOVIE casting

[SueSnell]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 12:51pm

I think it could be a wonderful popcorn movie. Especially if they film on location.

Here are some of my ideas for casting:

Donna- Olivia Newton John
Sam- Travolta (if he loses weight- much better fit here than in HAIRSPRAY)- and how fun to see these 2 together again?
Tanya- Stockard Channing in full Joanna Lumley mode (I wish they would cast Mary Ellen Mahoney but a girl can dream)
Bill- Richard Gere or Tom Wopat or Treat William
Harry- David Cassidy
Can't think of anyone for Rosie right now.

I just think it would be really cool to see people who were in musicals in the 70s to do it.

As for Sophie and Sky- maybe Kristin Bell and the cute guy who is Sharpay's brother in HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL

Any other thoughts?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 1:02pm

Yup. Ever since I first time I saw "Mamma Mia!" on Broadway (in October 2001), I evisioned Olivia Newton-John playing Donna in the film-version.

Everyone I've mentioned this to also sees it. No one else can come close after mentioning her name.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 1:05pm

I like the idea of using names from the 70s. Olivia Newton John would be a lot of fun and she is insanely right for the role.

I also like someone else's suggestion of Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn and Bette Midler.

The more star studded the film is, the more fun I think it will be.

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 1:20pm

That's terrific Sue! I like all those ideas!

[30/90 Playout]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 3:34pm

I would also love Carolee to do it once Lestat CLOSES. (Even though she has no name outside of Broadway)
Olivia would be a good second choice.

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 3:51pm

i love that idea of Olivia!
as for Sophie, i say like Anne Hathaway- that girl can really sing, or Mandy Moore...someone like that
as long as this movie is star-studded, i'll see it!

[Craig]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 4:17pm

It'll be an interesting film to say the least. Given the plot and device, I can't help wondering if they'll be able to avoid coming off as a "Grease II" type movie.

[Marlothom]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 4:20pm

I think the diff. between Grease 2 and Mama Mia is that EVERYONE loves ABBA SONGS! I love olivia, though i remember someone once mentioned Madonna as DOnna.

[Craig]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 4:23pm

Songs aside - I'm talking about the tone/dialogue/etc. The songs in the show are inserted into that show in a way that, on film, will be very obvious and not very organic. That's ALWAYS a challenge when doing a movie musical - Rob Marshall (and Chris Columbus) talked about that in great detail in respects to their musicals.

[Marlothom]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 4:28pm

Well yes, but I think when you are looking forward to the song, it becomes a little more forgivable and funny. There is a difference when you interrupt a scene to hear, Reproduction, rather than The Winner Takes It All. I remember going to see Mama Mia and seeing total Non-Theatre Tourists Sighing with excitement when the songs came on. I think this will translate to screen.

[ThePinballWizard]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 4:54pm

I was thinking more along the lines of say Tyne Daly as Donna?

[acrocksyo]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 10:20pm

It's an interesting idea to make it with 70's icons. Seeing as how most people drool over the prospect of Mamma Mia, it would be good to get former stars back into the spotlight to reach a whole new fan base.

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=1862192

Updated On: 4/19/06 at 10:20 PM

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 10:29pm

With Hanks and Rita Wilson exec producing, I can deffinetly see Wilson as Donna.

[acrocksyo]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 10:30pm

But can she sing?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 10:32pm

But can she sell tickets is the even bigger question. I don't think many people know who she is beyond Mrs. Tom Hanks...

[acrocksyo]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 10:38pm

True, I mean her screen credits include what? Raise Your Voice with Hilary Duff, and Now and Then yeah she's not really what I would consider Box Office Gold.

[Matters]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 11:22pm

When I first saw the show a while ago I thought the characters physically reminded me of the actors in The First Wives Club and...I'm going to stick to that. Could be intersting. So I'm going to try to remember the character names and say

Donna: Diane Keton
Rosie: Bette Midler
Tanja: Goldie Hawn

yay...stunt casting....

[Amneris]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 11:49pm

Toni Colette as Donna Sheridan. Alisan Janney as Tanya. Kathy Bates HAHAHAHAAH as rosie. I think we need Liam Neison as Harry Bright , Travolta as Sam and any random man as Bill Austin. I bet Mandy Moore will be Sophie.

[TLKfan]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 12:15am

I love David Cassidy! But I don't think he'd be good as Harry.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 12:17am

Amneris you must really hate poor Toni Collete - trying to make her play a middle aged woman with a 20 year old daughter when she is only 33 herself.

[Calvin]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 12:45am

Musical theatre was a part of both Diane Keaton's and Bette Midler's early careers. I wouldn't call it stunt casting. But it would be fun.

[BwayLover]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 2:57am

UGH - Diane Keaton is too old for Donna and she is wrong, wrong, wrong. However, Olivia NJ is INSPIRED casting! And she's friends with Benny and Bjorn so it just might happen....

[tourboi]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 3:03am

Hmm...agree on some...

DONNA - Olivia Newton John
TANYA - Goldie Hawn (although I, too, would LOVE Mary Ellen Mahoney to do it...the woman owns the role)
ROSIE - Rosie O'Donnell (she'd be a HOOT)

Kristin Bell is an interesting choice for Sophie...

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 8:41am

i also agree Rosie should be Rosie
and Ewan would make a good Harry, too...

great suggestions, guys!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 9:03am

Olivia is a terrific chice for Donna. I saw her recently at the Nokia Theatre and she was amazing. She hit ALL the notes in Xanadu. I hope she gets a shot.