https://variety.com/2022/film/news/daisy-edgar-jones-carole-king-beautiful-movie-1235444331
Daisy Edgar-Jones has landed the plum role of Carole King in Sony’s upcoming film adaptation of the stage musical “Beautiful,” a package as high-profile as it is pedigreed.
“Daisy has a spirit and energy that I recognized as myself when I was younger. She’s a tremendous talent and I know she’s going to give a great performance,” King told Variety.
Jones is familiar to Sony, having starred in the studio’s box office winner “Where The Crawdads Sing.” She will be directed in “Beautiful” by Academy Award nominee Lisa Cholodenko (“The Kids Are All Right&rdquo.
Cholodenko and Stuart Blumberg, who co-wrote “Kids Are All Right” together, recently completed their own pass on the “Beautiful” script, which is currently in development. Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman of Playtone will produce the film with Paul Blake, who also produced the stage show. Sherry Kondor, Christine Russell, Steven Shareshian, and Mike Bosner will serve as executive producers.
Oh hell yeah!
I find Cholodenko to be a magnificent storyteller and it gives me hope that her being involved with the screenplay that this could rise above the standard musical biopic. At the very least, hopefully she can fix some of the book’s more cringey moments, mostly around the Carole/Gerry relationship.
This is great casting! Was actually thinking about these film adaptation a few weeks ago. I hope they throw the book out of the musical and craft it’s own story (which it seems like they are), because that book is straight up cringe.
Please just let it be better than Jersey Boys.
I saw this twice on Broadway and can’t wait to see it on screen.
Broadway Star Joined: 6/25/20
I was kinda hoping it'd be Sara Bareilles even though I'm aware she's too old
Broadway Star Joined: 10/31/12
My first choice was Melissa Benoist
I had no idea who she was until I googled her name. Still don't know her work.
Boooo let Jessie Mueller do it!
Broadway Star Joined: 10/31/12
I hope they get Jessica Keenan Wynn for Cynthia
Is she a strong enough singer? I found 1 youtube video of her singing and found it very underwhelming.
NOWaWarning said: "Boooo let Jessie Mueller do it!"
Jessie is almost 40 years old. I'm afraid that ship has sailed for her to star in the film at this point. Although I'd love to see her make a cameo appearance.
I’m excited by the director, not so much the star. She’s a gifted actor yet with an as yet unproven performer’s energy and charisma.
Understudy Joined: 1/7/13
FANtomFollies said: "Is she a strong enough singer? I found 1 youtube video of her singing and found it very underwhelming."
“Underwhelming”?! She’s Beanie Bad, Baby. ©️
Here is what an actual singer can do.
Carole King herself had final word on the casting so if y’all have any beef with the casting of Daisy? Take it up with Carole herself. She’s involved with this film adaptation as she was with the original Broadway incarnation.
“Daisy has a spirit and energy that I recognized as myself when I was younger. She’s a tremendous talent and I know she’s going to give a great performance,” King told VARIETY.
I've never heard of Daisy Edgar-Jones before this announcement, but I'm sure King herself wouldn't have chosen her if she felt she wasn't "right" for the part.
Here's hoping this film adaptation doesn't go the way of the misguided "Jersey Boys film. "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" is my favorite of all the "jukebox" musicals that have been produced and I've seen quite a few in my old age going all the way back to "Leader of the Pack: The Ellie Greenwich Musical".
Featured Actor Joined: 12/7/21
I'm fairly sure they'll use Carole's vocals so whether she can sing is not relevant.
Broadway Star Joined: 2/24/18
FANtomFollies said: "Is she a strong enough singer? I found 1 youtube video of her singing and found it very underwhelming."
I agree. Her physical presence also seems wrong to me. Carole King was a rough and tumble gal with a very distinctive voice and while attractive, was not a traditionally pretty girl. When they cast Bette Midler to represent Janis Joplin in The Rose - they struck gold. Not sure the casting in this case will truly reflect the artist.
So I just went over to YT and watched CK sing Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow. I may actually go see the film to hear the music. Wore out one Tapestry LP and have the CD in my car.
When they cast Bette Midler to represent Janis Joplin in The Rose - they struck gold.
Bette Midler played rock star Mary Rose Foster in THE ROSE, which was loosely based/inspired by Janis Joplin. Midler did NOT play Janis Joplin in THE ROSE.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/08
Jeffrey Karasarides said: "NOWaWarning said: "Boooo let Jessie Mueller do it!"
Jessie is almost 40 years old. I'm afraid that ship has sailed for her to star in the film at this point. Although I'd love to see her make a cameo appearance."
But…they let Ben Platt play a high schooler!
Broadway Star Joined: 2/24/18
BrodyFosse123 said: "When they cast Bette Midler to represent Janis Joplin in The Rose - they struck gold.
Bette Midler played rock star Mary Rose Foster in THE ROSE, which was loosely based/inspired by Janis Joplin. Midler did NOT play Janis Joplin in THE ROSE."
I am aware of that which is why I used the word represent - obviously that wasn't clear enough.
BrodyFosse123 said: "Carole King herself had final word on the casting so if y’all have any beef with the casting of Daisy? Take it up with Carole herself. She’s involved with this film adaptation as she was with the original Broadway incarnation.
“Daisy has a spirit and energy that I recognized as myself when I was younger. She’s a tremendous talent and I know she’s going to give a great performance,” King toldVARIETY."
Didn't she refuse to attend the opening of the show saying that it was too emotionally traumatic for her? Think Weil and Mann were much more involved (which led to many of the cuts of their parts in the show to make the show more King centered) than King herself.
That may be what she said about opening night, but she was a regular visitor to the show during its run on Broadway.
Penna2 said: "BrodyFosse123 said: "When they cast Bette Midler to represent Janis Joplin in The Rose - they struck gold.
Bette Midler played rock star Mary Rose Foster in THE ROSE, which was loosely based/inspired by Janis Joplin. Midler did NOT play Janis Joplin in THE ROSE."
I am aware of that which is why I used the word represent - obviously that wasn't clear enough."
It was perfectly clear.
B212323 said: "I'm fairly sure they'll use Carole's vocals so whether she can sing is not relevant."
Which has been commonly done in biographical films about musicians before. See Jamie Foxx in Ray, Marion Cotillard in La Vie en Rose, and Rami Malek in Bohemian Rhapsody. Then again, it would a bit disappointing if that ends up being the case here since every single actress who played Carole King on stage did all of their own singing.
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