AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY Film Casting?- Page 2

[TimeSquare3]

Posted: 2/22/09 at 5:48pm

This is the newest picture (2007)I could find of Debbie Reynolds.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 2/22/09 at 5:54pm

Whenever I've thought of Violet, I've thought of Ellen Burstyn. I think she could make Violet someone very vulnerable, but also a truly human monster. She has always been one of my favorite actresses and the first time I read the play, I thought of her.

And somethingwicked, I wasn't saying that the reason you put Dakota as Jean was because she's the only child actress. But it may come off that way to audiences.

[TimeSquare3]

Posted: 2/22/09 at 5:59pm

make Violet someone very vulnerable, but also a truly human monster.

Debbie Reynolds...

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 2/22/09 at 9:44pm

Can I put in a bid for Dame Judi Dench as Violet? Yes, she's British, but she's also a very adept and, more importantly, BRAVE actress. I think she would just OWN Violet Weston. She could easily handle a change of dialect because, well, she is a fabulous actress. I'm afraid someone else would sanitize Violet too much. I know that's very unfair to say, but I really want to see Dame Judi tear up that part.

[Broadway Baby 2]

Posted: 2/22/09 at 11:02pm

I wish they would fast track this movie so, that the shows numbers could benefit from the film.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 12:23am

Judi Dench is too British to be the main character in this story. I just feel it'd be the same as having Lily Tomlin play Professor McGonagall in the HARRY POTTER films or Meryl Streep as Queen Elizabeth in THE QUEEN. I hope she's not considered for the role.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 12:29am

Even if they fast track the movie, it'll be at LEAST 7 or 8 months. Probably more at the very least. Those are 7 or 8 months the Broadway production just does not have left in it. I mean, it's possible. But it's highly unlikely. It's okay though. It has a tour on the way that I'm positive will be VERY successful and hopefully long-lived.

Judi Dench could be an excellent Violet. We have to realize that Helen Mirren is in talks, so that kind of opens the role up to the Brits. If so, Judi would certainly be exceptional. We all know she can do vicious and vulnerable ("Notes on a Scandal," anyone?).

[A Grey Spring]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 10:27am

My dream cast! hahaha

Violet Weston- Ellen Burstyn
Beverly Weston- Albert Finney
Barbara Fordham- Melissa Leo
Bill Fordham- Gary Sinise
Jean Fordham- Unknown actress (Anyone but Dakota Fanning)
Ivy Weston- Mary-Louise Parker
Karen Weston- Amy Ryan
Steve Heidebrecht- Thomas Hayden Church
Mattie Fae Aiken- Faye Dunaway
Charles Aiken- Richard Jenkins
"Little" Charles Aiken- Michael Shannon
Johnna- Unknown actress
Sheriff- Unknown Actor

[Ryan4]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 1:01pm

I think Helen Mirren would be the best choice for Violet. Though Ellen Burstyn is a good idea too.

Laura Linney seems a better fit for Ivy, and Cate Blanchett seems better for Barbara, though Linney is older.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 1:08pm

Laura Linney seems a better fit for Ivy

Really?? She's a PERFECT fit for Barbara! I don't see her as Ivy at all. She's far too intense for Ivy. Could she do meek? Yes. But she's so much more talented than that and absolutely deserves to be Barbara. In my opinion, there is no one better for the part.

[Ryan4]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 1:14pm

I love love love Laura Linney in everything she does. But she doesn't have that roaring size Barbara needs. She's a beautifully smart, subtle actress - better suited for Ivy's delicacy.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 3:03pm

Just want to say first that I LOVE the suggestion of Albert Finney as Beverley! I think Meryl Streep is right for Violet, but I would rather see some actress who is not A list actually. My first choice is Sissy Spacek. Then Judy Davis or Shirley MacLaine. For Barbara I do love Laura Linney, but how about Holly Hunter or Marcia Gay Harden? Also, I would like to see Jennifer Aniston as Karen. This could be a promising film...

[Weez]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 3:21pm

Steve Heidebrecht- Thomas Hayden Church

If they can't convince Gary Cole to reprise it on film, then this is an idea I am TOTALLY behind. :3

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 3:22pm

Karen is supposed to be the "zany" sister whose garrulous quirks mask her intense insecurities. In comparison to the volatile Barbara and the dowdy Ivy, she is a largely comedic character and should be played by more of a character actress (her outlandish persona leads to a big pay off for the audience when her jarring response to Steve's actions is revealed in the third act.)

Jennifer Aniston (who tends to read quite flat in terms of emotion on screen) is far from right for any of the roles, least of all Karen.

While I think Amy Ryan is a terrific talent, she reads much too harshly for what is arguably written to be the softest of the characters. Although she just turned in some great comedic work on The Office, her performances in movies like Gone Baby Gone and Changeling lead me to believe she'd be a more appropriate Barbara (although less ideal than someone like Laura Linney.)

In regards to the criticism that Laura Linney doesn't have the "roaring" side necessary for Barbara, I'd completely disagree. In Mystic River and The Nanny Diaries, she played characters with brooding intensity very similar to that of Barbara. Although she hasn't had many opportunities to showcase a lot of "explosive" emotion on screen, her brilliant scenes of hysteria in The Truman Show lead me to believe she could handle the requisite emotional demands just fine.

Updated On: 2/23/09 at 03:22 PM

[jewishboy]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 3:50pm

Somethingwicked, I disagree that Jennifer Aniston can't be quirky and zany. Also, I think she is capable of showing strong emotions on screen.

I think Rachel McAdams would be a good choice for Ivy.
Updated On: 2/23/09 at 03:50 PM

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 3:58pm

jewishboy, Rachel McAdams is too young for any of the roles in the piece. She's 30 and the youngest of the Weston daughters (Karen) is 40.

Updated On: 2/23/09 at 03:58 PM

[jewishboy]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 4:39pm

That is true. But, Sally Murphy did look pretty young on stage.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 4:50pm

Sally Murphy looks young from the mezzanine, but she certainly looks age-appropriate from the orchestra and outside of the show. Besides, a movie is not the same as the stage. If the actor doesn't look the correct age, it won't work on screen.

[Weez]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 5:45pm

Sally Murphy looked no older than me from the second row stalls/orchestra, and I'm nowhere NEAR 40.

Rachel McAdams is 30, and plays young.

The best way to film a play/show is to accept that film is its own medium and work with that. Respect and refer to the original stage production, but for the love of all things fuzzy, it has to be a film first and foremost. If that means casting actors who would suck onstage but who rock the silver screen, then by all means DO IT.

I have no sense of cohesion for this post. D:

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 6:00pm

I think Sally Murphy looks (and sounds) like she is a lot younger than 40, I remember the first time I saw AUGUST and Vi said that Ivy was already over 40 I was shocked. Either way, Rachel McAdams is not only too young to play Ivy but she reads so much younger than her real age.
I actually like the idea of Aniston as Karen, I think she does a good job when she works with the right director and the right script. I still prefer Applegate and Debra Messing (who is my main choice).

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 6:20pm

I'm surprised no one's brought up...

[Here I Am]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 8:37pm

Violet Weston- Ellen Burstyn
Barbara Fordham- Meryl Streep
Ivy Weston- Toni Collette
Karen Weston- Lauren Graham (or Christina Applegate)
Mattie Fae Aiken- Shirley McClaine
"Little" Charles Aiken- Paul Rudd
Johnna- Catalina Sandino Moreno (Spelling?)

I dunno about the rest of the cast.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 8:54pm

Meryl Streep as Barbara? Are you being facetious? Toni Collette as Ivy? Lauren Graham?
Streep is going on 60, she'd have been perfect for the role back in the mid 90s circa MARVIN'S ROOM, she is way way past her time to play this part by now. And she could play Toni Collette's mother convincingly I think, but not her sister.

[Kevinoes]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 7:33pm

I hadn't considered Laura Linney as Barbara but now that actually really excites me! I can totally see her in the role, even though it's a departure from a lot I've seen her in. I think Toni Colette could pull off any of Weston sisters.
And yes, Meryl (God love her) is too obvious a choice as Violet for me.

And here's a novel idea... Could the original cast reunite for the film? Probably wouldn't be bought by the Hollywood producers but... Damn, that would be amazing!