... as per Cindy Adams' column in the NY Post today.
"Meryl Streep nailed Cherry Jones' Sister Aloysius role in the film version of the 2005 B'way hit "Doubt." It's John Patrick Shanley's exquisitely crafted story of a priest's did he or didn't he, was he or wasn't he . . . "
NY Post - Cindy Adams
Is anyone surprised?
I'm sure Cherry Jones is!
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
Boy, she's posed to become the foremost interpreter of stage roles on screen.
That said, excellent casting.
The Streep casting has been rumored for months, and Cherry Jones has gone on record expressing doubt she would ever be considered for the film.
In a perfect world, the film would be done by a smaller film company that would cast Jones and let the film shine on its own merits. I love me some Meryl, but damn, does she have to do everything so well. :)
If it can't be Cherry...but dang, I wish they would film this with about 5 different casts. Dench? Smith? Atkins? Struthers?
I just saw Cherry in the show last night, and wow! She was fantastic. I honestly can't picture anyone besides her playing that role. But I guess that if it can't be her, than Meryl will be fine.
I love Streep, but is anyone else getting just a little tired of her at the moment? She must be committed to about 15 film projects...
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/23/06
I was hoping that the Doubt film would have a small enough budget that they could risk having Jones. Oh well.
Doesn't the phrasing of that article make it sound like the film has already been shot and that Meryl Streep was really good?
Michael Bennett, I know what you are saying, but in this case I will put those feelings aside. It is perhaps the best woman's role written in the last ten years and is so far from anything Streep has done in the past I can't wait. I can't wait to hear who is playing the other roles.
If Lindsay Lohan or some other "it" girl plays the Sister James I will scream!!!!!
Also, I think Doubt would have been perfect as an HBO Film with Cherry Jones. HBO Films are highly respected and highly lauded.
I agree. It would be great to do the film with several different actresses. What a dream.
My first thoughts on other casting:
Father Flynn: Matt Damon, Jake Gyllenhaal (too young?)
Sister James: Anne Hathaway (too soon for a reunion?)
Mrs. Muller: Angela Bassett
I would love to see any of the original cast, of course, but it is Hollywood. Maybe Shanley will write roles in for the originals as other concerned parents or members of the clergy, they can't only have 1 priest and 2 nuns at a school.
Sister James: Anna Paquin
Father: James McAvoy
The mother of the child: Angela Bassett
Streep again??? How about Julie Walters? Miranda Richardson?
I'd like to see Cherry, of course. But Streep is an excellent choice.
Too bad they didn't have Eileen Atkins. I saw her in the show and thought she was magnificent. Ah well, so we will see Meryl in Mamma Mia and Doubt.
I think Anna Paquin would make a great choice for Sister James. Matt Damon is probably the logical film name to play Father Flynn opposite Streep. Ditto Angela Bassett.
fflagg: Anna Paquin would be a good choice. and going with your Scottish theme, how about Ewan McGregor for Father Flynn?
If not Bassett then Alfre Woodard.
I really like Streep, Damon and Paquin though.
I agree that Paquin and Bassett are absolutely perfect for Sister James and Mrs. Muller, but I'm not sure I like Matt Damon as Father Flynn (although it could work.) I pictured him as someone a bit older... Sean Penn, maybe?
In regards to the Streep casting- she'll be fine. It's Meryl Streep. She wouldn't be my first choice (I wanted Judi Dench personally,) but I'm sure she won't dissapoint and will do the role justice.
They need to go younger with Father Flynn to get the bodies in the theatre.
Damon is a "younger" choice, but he's not too young for the part. And he can carry a film on his own, let alone going toe to toe with the likes of Streep.
I agree. Damon is pushing 40 and he has a boyish quality that I think works really well in the role. You could easily see why a teenager would be drawn to him.
I love the idea of Meryl, although I loved Cherry's performance. I think that Anna P is a good choice, but if not her maybe Natalie Portman. Angela Basset and Matt Damon oh yes!!!
I think Damon would be great. I remember there had been rumblings about Penn a while ago, but I don't like the idea of him in the role at all. I think he would skew guilty. Obviously he's a fine actor and should be able to pull it off, but I think someone like Damon, like MB said with Damon having that boyish quality, would work better (leaving you more torn).
Penn isn't likeable enough on screen.
Damon is.
I think they could even go a tad younger with it and cast Leonardo Di Caprio... or Mark Wahlberg.
Why is it always the same 4 or 5 names for everything?
* he asks rhetorically *
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