Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/11
Yes. An official thread about the film.
And let's cut all the crap here. No suggestions for soul queens like Charice as Kim, but truthful casting.
Kim is a child. Very innocent. Her singing has to be out of this world.
Something like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PY7almfzcT8
Chris is an all American boy. The hunk/nerd type. Has to be an extraordinary singer as well. I would say Aaron Tveit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61EL69OZSlY
Gigi, the other whore. Has to be able to deliver 1 song with perfection and emotion: Apple Chiu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYq0gOSLZZU
The Engineer:
BD Wong would be BRILLIANT:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbo-snzC3g0
Ellen. She has to be a magnificent actress ad singer.
Amy Adams or Anne Hathaway. Unfortunately both of them don't sing well enough for this material, so I hope they will see a lot of Broadway/West End girls for this role.
Thuy: I don't know enough young charismatic Asian male singers to cast this one. Any tips?
John: Difficult. Can be white or black. Can be different types. Any ideas?
Updated On: 1/13/13 at 05:49 PM
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
No no no no to Hugh Jackman as the Engineer. First, he's not funny enough. You need a comedian first and a singer second. Second, people will throw a fit if the actor cast is not Asian.
Anna Kendrick would be my pick for Ellen.
Right; the reason you shouldn't cast a white guy because people will pitch a fit. Forget about just plain old doing the right/not racist thing. Think of the blowback first.
Gosh, I hate those uppity Asians!
/am Asian
//uppity?
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
Well, I'd be against it too for that reason. I don't even like Pryce as the Engineer.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/8/12
Toward the end of the run (don't know if it was Broadway or West End), an Asian actress was cast as Ellen and the love triangle took on a whole new dynamic. One critic who re-reviewed the show asked "Why didn't they think of this in the first place?"
Updated On: 12/30/12 at 05:55 PM
Broadway. Margaret Ann Gates.
HBC - Gigi Van Tran
Sacha Baron Cohen - Engineer
Wing - Kim
Justin Beiber - Chris
Anne Hathaway - Random nightclub whore
Russell Crowe - John
Ya know, the usual people.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
Ugh, I could actually see Sacha Baron Cohen being cast as the Engineer. Especially given Hollywood's tendency to white-wash Asian roles.
I'd like Ken Jeong in the role. Saw it suggested here once and can't get it out of my head.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
I think SBC would made a fantastic Engineer...except he's not Asian, and they are not going to cast a white guy in the role.
"Broadway. Margaret Ann Gates."
She was my last Broadway Ellen. She was amazing.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/11
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
Ooh, BD Wong would be good. Not a comedian, but has comedic chops.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/8/12
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
I still say Jackie Chan or possibly Ken Watanabe (although he doesn't do comedy does he?) as the Engineer... hell maybe even Masi Oka
I can only take Ken Jeong in bits and pieces.... he tends to overdo EVERYTHING he does...
as for Thuy... i don't know if they can sing... but Ian Anthony Dale (from the Event) or Daniel Dae Kim could work...
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/11
BD wong would be fantastic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbo-snzC3g0
Guys obviously the role of Kim belongs to that Asian on Glee.
"Half-breed," really, Dave19? Is it 1950s day on BWW?
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
Well, Jackie Chan's singing in Mulan wasn't awful so I'd be okay with that casting choice.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/11
Well Lizzie, it's the language used in Miss Saigon:
ENGINEER
you're telling me this half-breed brat
is born the son of a marine?
let me see his western nose
this bastard is... the most beautiful sight I've ever seen!
a passport in my hand
my new life can begin
your brat's American
so they must let us in!
in!
the playground of mankind!
the movie in my mind!
Broadway Star Joined: 11/9/10
BD Wong would be brilliant...but is he a big enough name? I say cast someone from overseas that is a big hit, therefore you are guaranteed your financial backing to make the film. Do a talent contest for Kim and case Jake Gyllenhaal as Chris.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
I still kind of love the idea of Chris Evans as Chris. I know it's entirely hypocritical of me because I am sure that his singing would not be good enough.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/11
Jake Gyllenhaal too old and not a good enough singer.
The Asian girl from Glee not a good enough singer!
Do you guys know this material?
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
Jenna Ushkowitz (sp?) isn't a good enough singer? I think that she is. Not sure that she fits the physical type though.
I think in the end they'll go for an unknown for Kim. Like I've said, I'm hoping that they find someone of Vietnamese descent.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/8/12
John Lone for the Engineer. He was a member of the Beijing Opera before coming to the United States.
On the other hand, as I recall, he was very critical of "Miss Saigon", not so much the casting of Jonathan Pryce but rather its depiction of Asian women as subservient.
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