"In The Heights" movie casting thought

[jessica0414]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 9:35pm

I tried to search for the thread where people had posted their casting ideas but the search function hates me/when I clicked on the thread that I found through my profile archive of posts the page just showed up blank.

My friend and I were re-watching the Madonna episode of Glee today, and I had a thought: how about Naya Rivera (Santana) for Vanessa? They only showed a scant bit of her singing but she was surprisingly good, and I'd much rather see her in the role than, say, that other Vanessa....I know you know who I mean. lol

Updated On: 5/4/10 at 09:35 PM

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 9:39pm

The search function on this website hates everyone. There is a full version of Like A Virgin and she sings the bridge with Cory Monteith. She does sound amazing, but since it's Glee, I'm afraid it's auto tuned. And I actually don't know who the other Vanessa is that you're talking about, if you're not talking about Hudgens.

[jessica0414]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 9:42pm

It is Hudgens :) that was poorly phrased on my part.

[jpbran]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 11:34pm

You don't think they'll Auto-Tune the "Heights" vocals, no matter how well the cast sings? ("It can always be better... BETTER!")

[kidbroadway2]

Posted: 5/5/10 at 9:08am

She shows about 2 different emotions throughout the entire Glee season. I'd like to see her acting muscles stretched a bit before she would get cast.

[kmbrlee8252]

Posted: 5/5/10 at 2:06pm

So... does anyone thing that there's is the slightest chance that anyone from the Original Cast, other than Lin, will be cast in the movie?

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 5/5/10 at 2:25pm

^ Hopefully, Karen Olivo.

[shanna364]

Posted: 5/5/10 at 2:29pm

kmbrlee I think it would be so great to have such a hard working and talented original cast allowed the opportunity to be in the movie, but I wonder about ages. Are some of the cast who were playing college age a little old to be convincing in that part on the big screen?

[kmbrlee8252]

Posted: 5/5/10 at 11:59pm

rmusic-My thoughts exactly!
Shanna- Yeah I see where this could be an issue... Though Olivo just played a 25 year old on the Good Wife last night...
I think Andrea Burns and Janet Decal still fit, I adore Chris Jackson so of course I would want him. I think Robin and Seth still fit the part... I dunno, I know mostly an original cast is unrealistic, not to mention not as appealing for movie producers, they're gonna want some big names.
I think movies like Rent with most of the original cast are odd but worked out since Taye and Jesse are known in movie and television.
All I know is that I'm waiting with baited breath to see who gets cast... Keeping my fingers crossed for Olivo...

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 5/6/10 at 9:59am

Since Lin is the lead, my belief is they will pepper the rest of the cast with some stars, and probably some pop stars who will sell soundtracks. Oh and it won't be a pre-requisite that the other principals be able to sing in the film- autotune will be readily available. Look at Mamma Mia. I think 2 cast members could actually sing. I think the casting will be exciting. I do think Olga Merediz should be retained for the film, as I can't think of a contemporary actress who could play the part better than her, unless they snag Rita Moreno who I just saw in concert and is in amazing voice and still very athletic moving all over the stage.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 5/6/10 at 11:04am

Naya Rivera is a great idea IMO.

[Jon]

Posted: 5/6/10 at 11:30am

I would be shocked if they don't use Rita or Chita as Abuela.

Antonio Banderas as Kevin.

[ggersten]

Posted: 5/6/10 at 3:31pm

Edward James Olmos as Kevin (Ok, he's too old looking for the part). But you would understand why Nina is scared to come home!

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 5/6/10 at 7:39pm

"Oh and it won't be a pre-requisite that the other principals be able to sing in the film- autotune will be readily available. Look at Mamma Mia. I think 2 cast members could actually sing."

I have disagree with you here. Walters, Seyfried, Baranski, and Streep all did well enough, imo. I didn't think Firth was all that bad, either.

I'm sure they did touch up work on all of their voices, but they couldn't have done that much because you can still hear Seyfried's awkward vibrato.

[SarahNYC]

Posted: 5/11/10 at 10:28am

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Sara-Ramirez-MUST-play-Daniela-in-the-film-version-of-In-The-Heights/122211071131668

Sara Ramirez as Daniela... pretty brilliant casting suggestion, if you ask me!

If facebook can get Betty White to host SNL it couldn't hurt, right? If you think so too, spread the word!

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/11/10 at 10:57pm

I would almost put dineros on Moreno as abuela and maybe that broken foot thing will free Olivo up this Summer.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 5/11/10 at 11:06pm

Sara Ramirez as Daniela... pretty brilliant casting suggestion, if you ask me!

Nope. This role has Ana Ortiz, Sofia Vergara or J-Lo all over it.

[heisey19]

Posted: 11/16/10 at 11:06am

I absolutely disagree with someone like Selena Gomez having anything to do with this project! Nothing against her but I would hate to see any "disney stars" because of connotations associated with them. I think it would detract and distract.

I would love love to see Arielle jacobs, who starred as the first Nina on tour play Nina in the movie. she is believable, her age its right at the age of Nina, her voice is fabulous and she brings such honesty to the role.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 11/16/10 at 12:10pm

"I think movies like Rent with most of the original cast are odd but worked out since Taye and Jesse are known in movie and television."

I would think trying to use Rent, along with The Producers, as reasons to allow the original cast (who were by and large not considered "stars") to recreate their roles will get you laughed at by any studio exec, as both bombed pretty heavily financially. They will instead point you to the successes of Mamma Mia, Chicago, and Hairspray, all three of which were oozing Hollywood stars and turned in pretty tidy profits. Even Sweeney Todd was able to turn a tiny domestic profit with its combination of Johnny Depp and Tim Burton.

[heisey19]

Posted: 11/16/10 at 12:19pm

Valid point. using "stars" does attract the general non-broadway theater audience so i can obviously see why they might go in this direction, but as an honest theater fan i'd of course love at least a handful of original cast members.. or maybe people like Arielle who were part of the tour cast and who are now in the broadway cast.

I hope Lin being involved will keeps some level of organic honesty in casting the roles to stay true to the show!

as far as star power.. i would get behind sara ramirez!

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 11/16/10 at 12:24pm

I agree that I would love to see more people being given the chance to recreate their work on film, but we do have to be realistic. If you think about it we should be thankful that the failures of Rent, The Producers, and The Phantom of the Opera (titles which were probably thought to be sure-fire hits) didn't succeed at re-killing the movie-musical genre.

[Jon]

Posted: 11/16/10 at 12:28pm

Hopefully they cast the most talented YOUNG performers (regardless of how well-known they are)as Nina and Benny, and use "stars" in other supporting roles.

[heisey19]

Posted: 11/16/10 at 12:30pm

you are so right.. and i am!!! its a tough one though because its hard for me to think of those movies as 'busts' since i quite enjoyed them but yes.. money does make the world go round! i guess at the end of the day we should just be thrilled that there is such an industry for musical movies! SUPER HAPPY AT LEAST THAT LIN IS STARRING.. that will make all the difference!!

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 11/16/10 at 12:58pm

I absolutely disagree with someone like Selena Gomez having anything to do with this project!

See, I actually think she would work well (and be hilarious) as Carla in the movie.

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 11/16/10 at 1:10pm

I'm going to agree with Dancing! Can I see her as Nina? Nope. But as Carla? Heck yes!