Who do you want to see cast in Tommy Kail's Fiddler on the Roof movie? I've seen Mandy Patinkin kicked around for Tevye, Ben Platt for Motel, and Shira Haas for one of the daughters.
I know everyone goes right to Happy Madison's crap movies when they think of him, but he's shown he can be a great actor. He's given nuanced, heartwrenching, committed performances in Uncut Gems, Punch Drunk Love, Reign Over Me, and The Meyerowitz Stories. He's a singer, he has a likable, underdog personality, I honestly think he could do something with the role.
Alex Kulak2 said: "Adam Sandler as Teyve. Hear me out.
I know everyone goes right to Happy Madison's crap movies when they think of him, but he's shown he can be a great actor. He's given nuanced, heartwrenching, committed performances inUncut Gems, Punch Drunk Love,Reign Over Me,andThe Meyerowitz Stories. He's a singer, he has a likable, underdog personality, I honestly think he could do something with the role."
Adam Sandler is so crazy that it just might work. I do think he could act it really well with Kail's direction. I just wonder if his singing could get there. He's decent but not a trained Broadway-style singer.
BroadwayAndSports said: "Alex Kulak2 said: "Adam Sandler as Teyve. Hear me out.
I know everyone goes right to Happy Madison's crap movies when they think of him, but he's shown he can be a great actor. He's given nuanced, heartwrenching, committed performances inUncut Gems, Punch Drunk Love,Reign Over Me,andThe Meyerowitz Stories. He's a singer, he has a likable, underdog personality, I honestly think he could do something with the role."
Adam Sandler is so crazy that it just might work. I do think he could act it really well with Kail's direction. I just wonder if his singing could get there. He's decent but not a trained Broadway-style singer."
I think his voice could pass, especially in a film. In film, a singing voice doesn't need to be powerful enough to hit the back row. That, and Teyve's not a role that needs any kind of classical training, and is honestly improved by a gruff, aged quality.
BCfitasafiddle said: "Could you imagine Barbra as Yente?"
I originally read this as Golde, and said too old. I think she would be terrific as Golde...she has always excelled in any form of comedy, and Yente is as close as Fiddler has to a comic role.
-- Tevye: I really think Adam Sandler sounds like a really good idea. have to admit that I am intrigued by Jake G. Assuming it takes a few years to get into production, he will be the actual age SA was when he wrote the role (I read this in another subject). If they skew Tevye even older, I do think Danny Burstein would be a good possibility. None will be acceptable, however, if they can't project warmth the way that Topol did.
-- Golde: If Sandler, why not Idina Menzel? They worked very well together in Uncut Gems. If Jake G., I don't think she's Jewish, but how about Rachel Brosnahan. (If Sandler, what about Alex Borstein? Must be on a Mrs. Maisel high.
-- Yente: I love the idea of Barbara Streisand
-- Lazar Wolf: Mandy Patinkin
-- Motel: I actually think that Ben Platt could do the role well. He is usually played as bit of a nervous nelly, which platt does well.
Of course, I can just imagine Thomas Kail going for a complete cast of unknowns (or semi-knowns). I doubt that Topol was anyone's thought this side of the Atlantic. Norma Crane certainly was not, although they should have looked more in that case.
Jake Gyllenhaal as Tevya (I agree Jordan. After SITPWG, I want to see him in everything.)
Katrina Lenk as Golde (IMHO, any production of Fiddler pivots on the choice of actress for Golde. If she plays it like a stereotypical Jewish mother in a sitcom from the 70’s, the heart of the piece is lost. I think most of the women mentioned in this thread would fall into that trap. Don’t hate my choice right away. Let it marinate a bit.)
Brandon Uranowitz as Motel
Ari'el Stachel as Perchik
Ansel Elgort as Fydeka
Note: the latter three may be a smidge too old with a younger, but age-appropriate Tevya and Golde, but my (wet) dream cast includes a new song for the second act “Tevya Gives His Sons-in-Law a Sponge Bath” for which this cast is perfection.
I would love to see Jake in a big budget Hollywood musical, but I think not only his age but just young looks normally just makes him the wrong fit.
Glad nobody said Hugh. I love Hugh, but I think a Jewish actor would be the right call.
Sandler is an interesting choice and could work. All of his singing has been comedic so that could be interesting. He'd either be brilliant or a disaster, there's no in between.
My left field choice is Robert Downey Jr. He's done some singing, he's the right age, he's done comedy and drama. I think he could pair well with Idina as his wife also. He's the right level of brash that this role requires.
Bette as Yente, especially if they can beef it up to an Oscar level role and get her the EGOT!
Rumpelstiltskin said: "Jake Gyllenhaalas Tevya (I agree Jordan. After SITPWG, I want to see him in everything.)
Katrina Lenk as Golde (IMHO, anyproduction of Fiddler pivots on the choice of actress for Golde. If she plays it like a stereotypical Jewish mother in a sitcom from the 70’s, the heart of the piece is lost. I think most of the women mentioned in this thread would fall into that trap. Don’t hate mychoice right away. Let it marinate a bit.)
Brandon Uranowitz as Motel
Ari'el Stachel as Perchik
Ansel Elgort as Fydeka
Note: the latter three may be a smidge too old witha younger, but age-appropriate Tevya and Golde, but my (wet) dream cast includes a new song for the second act “Tevya Gives His Sons-in-Law a Sponge Bath” for which this cast is perfection."
For some reason,I see Katrina Lenk more as Fruma Sarah. She does unusual characters well.
Alex Kulak2 said: "Adam Sandler as Teyve. Hear me out.
I know everyone goes right to Happy Madison's crap movies when they think of him, but he's shown he can be a great actor. He's given nuanced, heartwrenching, committed performances inUncut Gems, Punch Drunk Love,Reign Over Me,andThe Meyerowitz Stories. He's a singer, he has a likable, underdog personality, I honestly think he could do something with the role."
People have suggested Ben Platt for Motel , but the character should be short in stature. I was a very last minute substitution for Motel (I had just finished a run as Mendel, the rabbi's son at another theater and someone thought I would be a good Motel when they lost the actor due to a car accident). I was game but I had a good, medium build in those days and even though a few lines were changed, my body was completely at odds with the role. Motel really has to be a short nebbish.
Scott Stephen said: "Rachel Bloom as Fruma Sarah."
I think Ms. Bloom could be a pretty terrific Golda - maybe with a little camera magic. Golda is probably 42-43. Ms. Bloom is 33 at present. So, by the time this actually gets off the ground ...