A FOLLIES flim being developed by Sam Mendes and Aaron Sorkin?- Page 8

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 10:53pm

Here's my cast (as of Dec. 20, 10:30 pm). Of course nobody will greenlight this because it doesn't appeal to the younger generation, so the movie will have to play in art houses.

Sally - Elaine Paige
Buddy - Victor Garber
Phyllis - Beverly D'Angelo
Ben - Kelsey Grammer
Carlotta - Tina Turner (I'm Still Here; Give her "Ah, But Underneath")
Hattie - Bernadette Peters (Broadway Baby)
Stella - Bette Midler(Who's That Woman?)
Emily Whitman - Chita Rivera
Theodore Whitman - Joel Grey
Solange - Lindsay Duncan
Roscoe - Nathan Lane
Weisman - Tony Bennett (sings a newly written song about the Follies)

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 10:59pm

Yeah, I think I'd probably skip that one.

[roquat]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 10:59pm

I really can't think of an ideal Phyllis. It has nothing to do with age or Hollywood-appropriateness, it's just that we don't have those kinds of "characters" any more. It would be hard to find someone who could give it the sassiness and force needed and not come across as an emotionless bitch.

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 11:03pm

I think Vanessa Williams would be a great Phyllis for film. But they will probably want two A list actresses for Sally & Phyllis.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 11:14pm

I still think Michelle Pfeiffer could do it.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 11:17pm

I think the best idea for Phyllis is Annette Bening.

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 11:01pm

I guess Shirley MacLaine and Debbie Reynolds are too old for Phyllis and Sally? That is something I would have seen.

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 11:20pm

Sally and Phyllis are 49 years old.

There are supporting roles for Shirley and Debbie.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 11:25pm

After the brilliant success of Sweeney, I'd be willing to swing my vote for Company. But NEVER Follies -- it simply sceams out for a live theatre. As a side note, I saw the original with my mother, who had been involved in show business in the early 30's, and her comment was that it didn't match up to the lavishness of the original revues being done at the time.

[Jon]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 11:25pm

If Sam Mendes directs, he should reunite his American Beauty cast:

Kevin Spacey as Buddy
Peter Gallagher as Ben
Annette Bening as Sally
Allison Janney as Phyllis

[BNN]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 11:30pm

Marion Cotillard as Solange, sure it's typecasting but at least she has the French thing down

Also, I would love to see Ian McKellan and Imelda Staunton as the Whitmans.

[LadyRosecoe]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 11:32pm

Oh what a wonderful Whitman duo!

Personally, it's a shame Jack Albertson never played it, he had the figure and background that would lend that authenticity that Follies seems to like.

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 11:32pm

I know, ljay. I got all excited, rushed up here, and then thought...Oh wait. Phyllis and Sally aren't THAT old.

Updated On: 1/12/08 at 11:32 PM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 1/13/08 at 2:09am

Debbie and Shirley would have made a fantastic Sally/Phyllis duo back in the days. Unfortunately they could be their grandmothers by now. Shirley McLaine would make a great Stella and Debbie would be great as Hattie.
I was watching BROTHERS & SISTERS the other day and I still think Jewishboy's Sally Field idea is brilliant.
Oh, and if you go for younger, how about in 5-10 years or so we get Rachel Griffiths as Phyllis with Toni Collette as Sally? MURIEL'S WEDDING reunion and both actresses would be BRILLIANT in those roles.

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/14/08 at 3:46pm

Marion Cotillard as Solange, sure it's typecasting but at least she has the French thing down

- Solange is 69 in the script. I know Marion can play older, but I'd like the cast to be age appropriate.