Michelle Pfeiffer MUST Be Phyllis In The FOLLIES Film- Page 2

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/15/19 at 1:11pm

I also love the idea of Chita as Solange.

[Ravenclaw]

Posted: 11/15/19 at 1:23pm

Jordan Catalano said: "If dubbing were used in films for singing (like should have been done in most modern film musicals), I might say Julianne Moore would be an ideal Sally."

I had the same thought, but the lip-synching she did in Bel Canto just looked so obviously fake that I'd be wary. Julianne would act the pants off the part like nobody else. But there are so few stars with the soprano training for Sally. I hate to say it, but Chenoweth is the only person I can think of with a real "star" status (though is she quite big enough for this film?) who could definitely sing it. Of course, the movie-musicals of the 21st century generally haven't had a problem with bothering soprano songs (Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, Les Miserables--or Nine, which took both its signature soprano songs down the octave).

For Phyllis, I would rather have Toni Collette because I think she's proven a better singer, but I understand why Michelle Pfeiffer so excites you.

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 11/15/19 at 1:24pm

Megan Mullaly for Stella Deems!

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 11/15/19 at 1:29pm

As far as the ancillary characters, should Heidi and "One More Kiss" make it in to the show I've been saying for a long time that the ultimate coup for that role would be to lure Teresa Stratas out of retirement, or, if that proved impossible, Julia Migenes. Fleming would be fine, but she still reads relatively young (despite being 60), and I feel like Heidi should be one of the oldest of the former Weismann performers.

Melissa McCarthy also reads far, far too young for Hattie, but the idea of Angela Lansbury doing "Broadway Baby" thrills me to no end. And while Chita's French accent in Nine was a bit inconsistent (at least the night I saw it) I now have that image of her as Solange firmly planted in my mind and can think of no others.

I wish Liza was in better health and more reliable to play Carlotta, as that's the closest we'd get to hearing her mother perform "I'm Still Here."

And heck, we might as well just assume that Queen Latifah will be playing Stella, since I don't think you're allowed to have a musical project on film without her these days.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/15/19 at 1:31pm

Yeah, I think once you get the idea of Chita as Solange in your head, you’ll be hard pressed to think of anyone more suited for it.

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 11/15/19 at 1:37pm

Cate Blanchett as Phyllis with Toni Collette as Sally. All hail the Australian Queens.

John C. Reilly and Hugh Jackman as Buddy and Ben.

The rest of cast should Broadway legends.

[NOWaWarning]

Posted: 11/15/19 at 1:41pm

I, too, have had the thought of Cheno for Sally. She’d need a strong director, but she has the chops and she’s similar to Dorothy Collins in type. A soprano who is age appropriate and has any ounce of Hollywood fame is sadly hard to find.

I actually think if Catherine Zeta-Jones were to end up near this film, she’d be a fabulous Carlotta. She has that old Hollywood glamour and a career with as many ups and downs as Carlotta describes in I’m Still Here.

Chita as Salonge sounds divine, although I’ve always thought it’d be fun to have Bernadette do it with Patti as Hattie. Imagine the montage!

Michelle Pfeiffer would be so so perfect as Phyllis. I’m curious to see how they cast it, assuming it happens at all. I wonder if they’d end up using mostly Brits since it’s a British production with a British director.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 11/15/19 at 1:53pm

Either would make a terrific Hattie. I could even see Angela as Solange and Julie as a Whitman with Dick Van Dyke or Christopher Plumber.

Do you even know FOLLIES?  The main characters are 49 plus and Solange mentions she’s 60.  Lansbury is in her 90s, bro.  She old enough to be Solange’s mother.  

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/15/19 at 1:58pm

Brody, to be fair in my original mention of those ladies, I did use the word “cameo”, which I think would be very nice.

[broadwaybabywannabe2]

Posted: 11/15/19 at 2:09pm

Jordan Catalano said: "I also love the idea of Chita as Solange."

BINGO!!

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 11/15/19 at 2:21pm

Wasn't Chita's French accent sort of embarrassing in NINE? Of course, if Chita is perfect for a film role, it would only make sense to give it to Rita Moreno (who I think would also be wonderful).

Also remember:  The idea of a star-studded FOLLIES ensemble came about with the Lincoln Center concert and was later solidified at Paper Mill; the original production and recent London production didn't have "starry" ensembles to the general public (with the exception of Yvonne De Carlo). Some people viewed that as a plus, because it allowed the main 4 to shine. So perhaps if they end up with true stars for the 4 leads, they go with Broadway/West End ladies for the ensemble.

Also keep in mind that with a British director and producers, this could very well film there & they may want to do local hires for the ensemble, for the sake of the budget.

It's both fun and infuriating to speculate... :)

Updated On: 11/15/19 at 02:21 PM

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 11/15/19 at 2:52pm

She'd be great.

BTW if anyone thinks of Pfeiffer only as an ice queen, a) I'm guessing you've never seen Dangerous Liaisons, and b) see it immediately - and thank me later

I'd also love to see Robin Wright as Phyllis. 

[Damiensta]

Posted: 11/15/19 at 9:36pm

People stop fighting Glenn Close has this in the bag. 


jk btw

 

[BJR]

Posted: 11/16/19 at 12:08am

Liza’s health is a shame regardless but she would have been perfect casting for Carlotta.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 11/16/19 at 12:18am

Thank you Jordan. Michelle Pfeiffer MUST be Phylis Rogers Stone.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 11/16/19 at 12:36am

With the right director I think Madonna could do respectable work as Solange or Carlotta. She’s good in a limited music video format and as an ensemble member. Madonna is the right age but I think she might be reactive to playing someone her own age.

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 11/16/19 at 3:54am

Would love Michelle Williams as Sally.

[BJR]

Posted: 11/16/19 at 7:54am

Bettyboy72 said: "Madonna is the right age but I think she might be reactive to playing someone her own age."

Yeah no way. She bristles at the constant mention of her age. I doubt her agent would even ask if she wanted to be an aging, former showgirl.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/16/19 at 9:14am

Madge has said she’ll never do another film again, sadly.

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 11/16/19 at 11:32am

Meryl will be in this somewhere, mark my words. They won't be able to resist tossing her in here.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/16/19 at 11:44am

Sadly, she probably will be.

I love Meryl but God, I can’t stand her singing voice.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 11/16/19 at 11:52am

Jordan Catalano said: "Yeah, I think once you get the idea of Chita as Solange in your head, you’ll be hard pressed to think of anyone more suited for it."

Nope- Louise Pitre for Solange.

 

[sabrelady]

Posted: 11/16/19 at 11:59am

GeorgeandDot said: "Meryl will be in this somewhere, mark my words. They won't be able to resist tossing her in here."

 

Agree. I suspect she'll get Carlotta and "i'm Still Here". Hierarchy of status..

 

Judy Kaye for Hattie? Yes I know she is doing Diana could she be released to shoot/)

 

[binau]

Posted: 11/16/19 at 12:25pm

Well, they no doubt will bring back her ghost dub aka Donna Murphy to perform “I’m Still Here” for her :p.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 11/16/19 at 1:27pm

With all the delicious names being tossed around we will probably all be saddened when they trot out the awards bait cast-Streep, Dench, Bening, Hawn, Mirren, Keaton, Zeta-Jones and the like.