Julia Roberts is in talks for The Normal Heart film. - Page 2

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 8/6/11 at 4:12pm

My first choice would be Ellen Barkin, then Felicity Huffman. But I do actually think that I could accept Julia Roberts in the role too, she's more versatile than you guys imagine.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 8/6/11 at 5:47pm

If you want to cast older I vote for Toni Collette or Edie Falco. If you want to cast younger, I vote for Michelle Williams, Clare Danes, Emily Mortimer, Juliette Lewis, Rose Byrne, or Vera Farmiga.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/6/11 at 10:09pm

She wouldn't be that bad, you know.

But they oughta cast Meryl Goddamn Streep, you know. That's who they oughta cast.

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/6/11 at 10:36pm

Lauren Ambrose

[tcamp1]

Posted: 8/6/11 at 10:40pm

Though I have mixed feelings about this amazing play being turned into a movie, I hope this means that its message will reach a larger audience. Hopefully that'll mean more people will take action and get involved in the fight against AIDS.

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/7/11 at 12:20am

My choice would also be Barkin. Didn't think of Felicity but a very good suggestion. I am a Julia fan but she is all wrong for this part, in my opinion.

[sing_dance_love]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 12:41am

I don't know whether or not she is quite right for this specific role, but I will agree with previous posts that her performance in CLOSER was really excellent, and that I think she's more versatile than she's been given credit for.

I do like the idea of Vera Farmiga though.

[sing_dance_love]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 12:41am

I don't know whether or not she is quite right for this specific role, but I will agree with previous posts that her performance in CLOSER was really excellent, and that I think she's more versatile than she's been given credit for.

I do like the idea of Vera Farmiga though.

[Kad]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 1:54am

Hopefully they'll find someone who can adapt the script adequately for the screen. As is, I just don't think it'll play well on screen.

[aliceripleysnumber1]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 3:25pm

I second the idea of Sigourney Weaver. She is a fantastic dramatic actor and I'm a big fan. "Prayers for Bobby" anyone?

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 8:43pm

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 8:53pm

Yes, Danny Moder's ex-wife (to whom he was still married when he and Roberts began seeing each other) is also named Vera.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 9:01pm

Right. That's the shirt Julia wore when she didn't think Vera was giving Moder the divorce fast enough.

(I know it has nothing to do with the thread, but I like to post negative stuff about Julia to see if Jordan's head will explode)

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 9:03pm

It's definitely funny considering the Julia vs. Vera face-off happening here. And if the reports about the divorce are to be believed, Julia...ahem, didn't handle herself all too well.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 9:05pm

"And the Oscar goes to ... I love my life!"

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 9:06pm

Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RqWpWtY9vU

Updated On: 8/8/11 at 09:06 PM

[PennybankBill]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 9:24pm

Why can't they just take the cast they had on Broadway? You know, the one that won a FREAKIN' TONY! It was a very good ensemble from what I heard and I'd hate to see Ryan "Running with Scissors" Murphy" ruin it with Marc Ruffalo or Julia Roberts!

I've always wondered why this happens, but I can't find a specific example of it; When a play is adapted for film and the original performer is the right age, won universal acclaim, and then the film casts somebody who is either wrong for the part or too young. I mean, sure, sometimes they do give a good performance, sometimes better than the original did, but.....

In short, why don't they just film the play with its original cast for Public Television or the Kino?

[PennybankBill]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 9:26pm

Why can't they just take the cast they had on Broadway? You know, the one that won a FREAKIN' TONY! It was a very good ensemble from what I heard and I'd hate to see Ryan "Running with Scissors" Murphy" ruin it with Marc Ruffalo or Julia Roberts!

I've always wondered why this happens, but I can't find a specific example of it; When a play is adapted for film and the original performer is the right age, won universal acclaim, and then the film casts somebody who is either wrong for the part or too young. I mean, sure, sometimes they do give a good performance, sometimes better than the original did, but.....

In short, why don't they just film the play with its original cast for Public Television or the Kino?

Can anyone cite an example of the original performer being snubbed out for the adaptation even if they were the right age and their performance won universal acclaim?

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 9:37pm

As great as that idea might sound in our heads, keep in mind that aside from a few TV appearances here and there back in his acting days, Joe Mantello has never been a film actor. And I'm not necessarily sure that the wonderful kinetic spark that made his performance so memorable would translate to a different medium. What works brilliantly on stage doesn't always come off so well on film. And besides, his directing schedule would probably preclude him from a film shoot. (Here's hoping he does another play, though!)

It wouldn't surprise me if someone like Parsons ended up playing Tommy in the film, although I can't imagine Pace getting the role of Bruce over a more established/recognizable name actor who might want it. And next to named like Bradley Cooper and Julia Roberts, Hickey and Barkin don't stand a chance.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 9:39pm

Can anyone cite an example of the original performer being snubbed out for the adaptation even if they were the right age and their performance won universal acclaim?

Julie Andrews, for one. Ethel Merman, for another.

And AC, that Family Guy clip is hilarious. I'd never seen it before. It made me literally laugh out loud.
Updated On: 8/8/11 at 09:39 PM

[random person 112]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 9:43pm

Carol Lawrence for west side story for penny as well as her cast mate chita rivera. Antonio banderas for nine though he mit have rejected that. chita for bye bye birdie again.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 9:44pm

In other words, it happens all the time. More often than not, I'd say.

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 9:46pm

Recently:

Mary Louise Parker in PROOF
Cynthia Nixon in RABBIT HOLE
The entire cast of AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY
Bebe Neuwirth in CHICAGO
The entire cast of DOUBT
Shannon Cochran in BUG (they kept Michael Shannon, though)

[PennybankBill]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 9:59pm

Oh please, with tears in my eyes, not Bradley Cooper! He's not even close to Hickey acting-wise. It's too bad His last role in a film was in Transformers 2, one of the most homophobic, misogynist, sexist, and downright racist films I've ever seen, and to boot, as a republican against the robots!

God, why not just stick in Ryan Reynolds and Zach Galifinakis?

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 10:02pm

Having actually seen Cooper on stage (opposite Roberts, no less!), I think he's a terrific actor. He makes the kind of movies you'd expect him to make, but it looks like he might be trying to take his career in a different direction. He's not the worst choice I can think of, although he wouldn't be my first choice.