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.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
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.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
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.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
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.
I could see people like Kendrick, Janney, Baranski, and Wilson sticking around. Maybe even James Corden and Nina Arianda, given their burgeoning careers.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
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.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.