This has been going around tumblr. I'd say it's almost certainly true, judging by some tweets and things I had heard a week or two ago.
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/8/11
It's just a reading. The big A list actors aren't going to do a reading. So this cast makes sense.
I held my breath before opening the thread. Not nearly as bad as I had imagined but I gotta say I wasn't a fan of Donna as the Witch. At all.
Why not? It's just a first reading to get a feel of the screenplay, and no way indicative of what a final cast could possibility be. I'd imagine a final cast would lose a lot of the Broadway names.
But James Corden and Nina Arianda? Perfect choices.
There's no way Donna would be used in the film, imo. But for a hastily rehearsed reading- sure.
Yeah, there is no way Donna will get the film. I really think it should and could be CZJ.
Does Arianda sing? I've never heard her but I love the idea of her in the role!
She got her MFA from NYU, a program that requires singing ability. I'm not sure if she's got like, crazy pipes- but I'm sure she can sing more than adequately.
I'm still pulling for Sandra Bullock for the actual film.
Allison Janney as Jack's Mother is absolutely inspired casting.
As others have said, this was a reading simply to hear the screenplay out loud. They needed mostly theater professionals because they needed people who could learn the material fast. With the exception of the bigger names like Janney and Anna Kendrick, I wouldn't expect any of these actors anywhere near the actual film when and if it gets made.
"I'm still pulling for Sandra Bullock for the actual film."
She would've been a good Cinderella back in the day.
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/13/09
I could see that cast if it was being made as a television special event type of thing, but I agree that some of those names will definitely be replaced by bigger names. However, I could easily see some of those names (such as Anna Kendrick, whom I'd never thought about for the movie, but really like the idea of now that it's in my head) appearing in the final cast list.
Yeah she would've made a great Cinderella. But I really see her as more of The Baker's Wife in every single way.
I agree about Janney. And I can definitely see her being used in the film.
I could see people like Kendrick, Janney, Baranski, and Wilson sticking around. Maybe even James Corden and Nina Arianda, given their burgeoning careers.
They can wheel out Cher again.
I still think Cher could be great.
After coming down to the wire and ultimately missing out on the film adaptations of both CHICAGO and SWEENEY TODD, I think it's about time Toni Collette finally gets her due in a big movie musical. If this really gets made, she'd be as sublime a Baker's Wife as they're going to find.
I still think that Lady Gaga could be really fun casting as the Witch, but I know it's not likely.
Isn't Lady Gaga somewhere around 25 years old?
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/8/12
As much as I love Donna Murphy there is not a chance in hell she will play The Witch in the film.
Disney will insist (and given Rob Marshall's history of casting stars) that a movie star play that role in their $100 million dollar investment.
Meryl Streep, Penelope Cruz or Nicole Kidman.
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