Hugh Laurie for Higgins?
Hugh Laurie for Higgins?
Plum
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/4/04
#1Hugh Laurie for Higgins?
Posted: 12/18/08 at 9:12pm
I had to post this because it's a brilliant idea - apparently Emma Thompson, who's writing the screenplay for the new My Fair Lady film, thinks that Henry Higgins should be played by Hugh Laurie.
Thoughts?
Variety interview
Updated On: 12/18/08 at 09:12 PM
timote316
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/04
Chrysanthemum62001
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/14/04
#2re: Hugh Laurie for Higgins?
Posted: 12/18/08 at 9:20pmI absolutely agree a hundred percent. Hugh Laurie is an amazing actor, and he's quite the musician too. He would be fantastic. I hope she can use her female powers of persuasion to take on the role.
Plum
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/4/04
#4re: Hugh Laurie for Higgins?
Posted: 12/18/08 at 9:44pm
Plus he has the right accent, which is a huge point with My Fair Lady. I really don't want to see an American star trying to fake RP when so much in the story centers on how the characters speak.
Of course, Eliza should be a singer and they cast Keira Knightly, so what do I know.
#5re: Hugh Laurie for Higgins?
Posted: 12/18/08 at 9:50pmThat is an incredibly brilliant idea. I couldn't imagine anyone better-suited to the role. I hope he lands it.
#6re: Hugh Laurie for Higgins?
Posted: 12/18/08 at 9:52pm
Wow. This had never even crossed my mind, even though I'm kind of a fan of My Fair Lady and absolutely love House and Hugh Laurie. But what a brilliant idea. Him with his natural voice and mannerisms work for Higgins' basic character and seeing him portray Gregory House as such a nuanced individual makes me have no doubt that he'd be perfect for the role. I'm going to start crossing my fingers now.
And if Keira is actually Eliza (I know reports have said she is, but I doubt everything movie-related, especially concerning musicals until I see a trailer) I can actually picture her and Laurie having great chemistry.
wonkit
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/30/08
#8re: Hugh Laurie for Higgins?
Posted: 12/18/08 at 10:49pmI wasn't totally sold on this remake idea before, but that is an idea I would love to see.
#9re: Hugh Laurie for Higgins?
Posted: 12/18/08 at 10:49pmOh my! That is just....breathtaking! Inspired! I'd actually go see that.
MCfan2
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/29/06
#10re: Hugh Laurie for Higgins?
Posted: 12/18/08 at 10:51pm
I still loathe the idea of a remake and hope it gets shot down.
That said, I think Hugh Laurie would make a magnificent Higgins . . . on the stage. 
#11re: Hugh Laurie for Higgins?
Posted: 12/18/08 at 10:54pmHugh Laurie is PERFECT for this. Amazing actor, perfect at accents, and he can sing (not really needed for this role, but it is a nice perk).
SporkGoddess
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
#12re: Hugh Laurie for Higgins?
Posted: 12/18/08 at 10:54pmThat would be AMAZING.
#13re: Hugh Laurie for Higgins?
Posted: 12/18/08 at 11:25pmYES to Hugh Laurie! NO! to Keira Knightley!
-best12bars
"Sorry I am a Theatre major not a English Major"
-skibumb5290
#14re: Hugh Laurie for Higgins?
Posted: 12/18/08 at 11:32pmFreaking inspired casting with Laurie. This has incredible potential.
SporkGoddess
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
#15re: Hugh Laurie for Higgins?
Posted: 12/18/08 at 11:35pm
Agreed about Keira. Vocals aside, I don't think she'd be equal to Laurie in terms of acting ability.
#16re: Hugh Laurie for Higgins?
Posted: 12/18/08 at 11:39pmGreat casting idea. I hope the studio doesn't push for a bigger name.
#17re: Hugh Laurie for Higgins?
Posted: 12/18/08 at 11:43pmHugh Laurie is a HUGE name right now. One of the most respected actors on television.
#18re: Hugh Laurie for Higgins?
Posted: 12/18/08 at 11:46pm
I'm not arguing that he isn't a well respected actor. He is. I just worry that he's not considered a box office draw.
Updated On: 12/18/08 at 11:46 PM
#19re: Hugh Laurie for Higgins?
Posted: 12/18/08 at 11:53pmHugh Laurie is an amazing choice. Keira Knightley, not so much. I think I'm more interested in who they'll get to do the vocals, since (I'm assuming) she can't sing it.
The choice may have been mistaken, The choosing was not... "Every day has the potential to be the greatest day of your life." - Lin-Manuel Miranda
Plum
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/4/04
#20re: Hugh Laurie for Higgins?
Posted: 12/19/08 at 12:03am
I just worry that he's not considered a box office draw.
Laurie's pretty recognizable at this point because of the popularity of House, not just domestically but internationally. But you're right; he's not any kind of proven box office draw in film - he's only had a supporting role in Street Kings since House started.
And that's what worries me, too - that they'll stick someone vastly inappropriate like George Clooney in there or something. (Clooney's lovely, but I don't want to see anyone faking the all-important accent and he's too conventionally suave for the role anyway.)
Updated On: 12/19/08 at 12:03 AM
#21re: Hugh Laurie for Higgins?
Posted: 12/19/08 at 12:28amBrilliant choice, but it's a shame about Keira. I think she's a good actor, but it is a musical, and I don't think Marni Nixon would want to do all of the vocals again.
#22re: Hugh Laurie for Higgins?
Posted: 12/19/08 at 1:47amIs Keira Knightley confirmed or is that still just a rumor?
-best12bars
"Sorry I am a Theatre major not a English Major"
-skibumb5290
Plum
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/4/04
#23re: Hugh Laurie for Higgins?
Posted: 12/19/08 at 1:54amThe Variety article says that she's signed. That could be bad fact-checking, but I haven't heard any other names rumored for the role, so I'm taking that at face value.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#24re: Hugh Laurie for Higgins?
Posted: 12/19/08 at 6:30am
I don't think Knightly would be a horrible choice, who else would you suggest...and yes, I think they need names for the box office. (I have no idea if she can sing, though.)
As for Laurie...as soon as he became successful here he was international. He'd been a domestic star for years in the UK for YEARS before hitting America in House.
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