Danny Boyle directs My Fair Lady?

[lull89]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 10:47pm

Just saw this at ew.com

http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2009/03/danny-boyle-to.html

Thoughts?

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 10:50pm

Not sure how I feel about him and this piece together, it all comes down to Emma Thompson's screenplay, and the actors playing Eliza and Higgins.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 11:00pm

Well, Boyle is a skilled filmmaker, there are worse choices. Uh, well. I guess. There are far worse choices.

[nlm]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 11:05pm

He did start out in the theatre, so he could bring that experience to the script. Now Emma just needs to persuade Hugh to take on the role of Higgins, then life is sweet.

[jennyish]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 11:24pm

nlm, I pray that you mean Laurie and not Grant.

[mormonophobic]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 11:27pm

Y'know, I've seen most of Boyle's films. Of his theatrical releases I've only missed Alien Love Triangle and Millions. The thing is, even though he's showed us secret utopias, zombie-laden England, the inner trappings of drug abuse, and the slums of Mumbai, I just can't imagine him doing this. His films always have a certain darkness to them. Not the darkness of Tim Burton or even Christopher Nolan, but just a certain edge that follows is apparent in anything he makes. I just can't imagine him with any musical, much less My Fair Lady.

That being said, he is very skilled at showing us images of realistic people (even far-fetched ones are portrayed with such depth) in a very specific setting. So it is possible he could do wonders with Eliza's transformation. Either way, I have high hopes for the film but remain apprehensive that it will be Boyle's.

[nlm]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 11:28pm

jennyish sure did mean the one and only Mr. Laurie.

[Shannon Bo Dannon]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 11:38pm

The only news I want to hear about this movie is Hugh Laurie being cast.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 12:15am

Hugh Laurie would be pure perfection in this role.

[Plum]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 12:20am

I see my evil plan to raise everyone's hopes about Hugh Laurie so they can be crushed later has been a rousing success. :)


Danny Boyle is...not someone who came to mind when I thought of who could direct this. I think I'm going to have to watch Strumpet now.

[ladybegood]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 9:20am

Well, the previous rumour in respect of Stephen Daldry to direct sounded much more credible to me. Danny Boyle might be flavour of the month, but I can't see him as likely. On the other hand, he does like to stretch boundaries, and little would seem to be a wider stretch than "My Fair Lady".

But whoever to direct, please not with Hugh Laurie. I think he is lovely, but he is not right for Higgins.

[jennamajig]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 9:27am

But whoever to direct, please not with Hugh Laurie. I think he is lovely, but he is not right for Higgins.

I actually think he would be perfection as Higgins and if he were cast my butt would be in a seat paying $10 for an overpriced movie ticket...but if not Laurie, curious as to who you think is a better fit?

[Paulyd]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 10:30am

Dont believe it for a second.Boyle has also been linked to the new bond film.why do we need another version of this anyway

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 10:39am

I thought Daniel Day-Lewis and Keira Knightley were set to star in this.
I'd like both Boyle and Daldry.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 10:40am

Aghhh, if Hugh Laurie is cast and Boyle directs this could have been such a great adaptation had they chosen a different Eliza.

Oh, and kept the original musical ending, but I know people disagree on that. :P

Updated On: 3/4/09 at 10:40 AM

[ladybegood]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 12:00pm

It might seem to be a bit unlikely now to be able to avoid Keira Knightley, but it still hasn't actually been officially confirmed. It is still only presumption.

After seeing Emily Blunt now, I think they would be insane not not to go for her instead. Not only does she look right and come from London, but she is lovely actress and she SINGS! She really sings!

[Eris0303]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 12:24pm

I believe Keira is confirmed as Eliza.

Day-Lewis was conjecture and I'm glad I haven't heard his name in relation to this piece in quite some time. Nothing against him - he's a fine actor. Just not in this film.

Laurie would be great if he can work something out with his House schedule. He had to give up Superman Returns because of House.
Keira Knightley: I Got Drunk for My Fair Lady Audition

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 12:27pm

Why do we need another movie of this?
The first one is pretty damn good.
And I love Emma Thompson, but what is wrong with the first script?
Geeez!!

[ladybegood]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 1:03pm

I can't be bothered with the eternal silly "why do we need another movie movie of this" issue.

But re Keira Knightley, if she has been confirmed, it has passed me by. If you know better, Eris0303, where do you know that from? I think it is very likely (unfortunately, possibly), but apart from saying she was in talks a way back and presumption, I still haven't seen any confirmation that she has officially now been cast.

[hmpeterson]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 1:07pm

I would think Anne Hathaway would make a good Eliza. But if Keira Knightly is confirmed...she better be good. And I don't know, I'm as jazzed about Hugh Laurie as the rest of you are. I'm not seeing him as Henry Higgins.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 1:19pm

I love almost all of Danny Boyle's movies (thought Slumdog was just okay) and I hope to God he doesn't do this. He's too good for this ridiculously unnecessary crap.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 1:43pm

"If you know better, Eris0303, where do you know that from? I think it is very likely (unfortunately, possibly), but apart from saying she was in talks a way back and presumption, I still haven't seen any confirmation that she has officially now been cast."

Uh, check out the link I posted previously

[esparza 333]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 3:39pm

I have faith in Danny and think he will do an excellent job. Lets not forget that he has moved from genre to genre and done an excellent job. He is one of the great director of our time in my opinion. Not just Slumdog Millionaire but Millions, Sunshine, 28 Days Later, Shallow Grave and Trainspotting. I think Hugh Laurie would be a brilliant choice. I am still skeptical about Keira Knightley playing Eliza. don't get me wrong i think she was excellent in Pride and Prejudice and thought she gave a very multilayered performance. I feel like she needs to stop doing these period films. While My Fair Lady is very different and I am sure she could still do good I miss when she used to also do films like Bend it like Beckham. Though some can argue she is a much more serious actress now I still want to see her in a whole different kind of performance. Like a poster mentioned before I would love to see Emily Blunt in the role. She is such a excellent actress and she has an excellent singing voice. She can look simple and elegant which is exactly what Eliza needs. She has a very unique presence and I would have liked to see her tackle it.

Either way I am excited for this film.

[caitlinette]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 7:19pm

I wouldn't be able to get through it if Keira was Eliza. I don't know why she doesn't sit well with me...Her voice gets on my nerves and she has too many teeth. Can the girl even sing?

[Plum]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 8:46pm

I'm personally about 90% sure the Daniel Day-Lewis conjecture is untrue - he's already doing a musical with Nine, and knowing the challenges he likes to set up for himself, I doubt he'd go the "easy" route of doing another musical so quickly. Anyway, that rumor popped up so long ago it would have been confirmed or rejected by now, no?

Besides, it would take forever for him to learn linguistics for the role.

And if Daldry does end up directing this, I hope he gets back to his Billy Elliot mode rather than the very tedious I'm Trying To Win An Oscar style that followed. (IMDB has Daldry on the project, but it's totally unreliable as an info source on movies in pre-production, so take that as you will.)