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#1

My Fair Lady - remake

I read yesterday in The Sunday Times, that Cameron MacKintosh has three new musicals being made into films and that one of them is My Fair Lady. The script is being written by Emma Thompson and 2 actresses; one English and one American have been approached.

I think it will be Keira Knightley and Anne Hathaway. Although, it may be Jessica Biel.

Anyone heard any more?
#2

re: My Fair Lady - remake

There are long threads about this on both the West End and Broadway boards, although they're probably several months old now. The Search facility may help.
#5

re: My Fair Lady - remake

Sorry, I just double checked and it said he also has Les Mis and Miss Saigon amber-lit as musicals.
#6

re: My Fair Lady - remake

hmm, weve had rumours of Les Mis before, and I really hope it happens! Same with Miss Saigon, with the right Directors, budget and casts, these could ALL be INCREDIBLE!
#7

re: My Fair Lady - remake

I think the most suited for an adaptation amongst these would be Miss Saigon. Something about it jumps out as a film out of these three. Do we really need another My Fair Lady? I imagine a remake would be good but is it really necessary? Also, I don't see much of a selling point for it. Miss Saigon is a bit more modern. Les Miserables would obviously have a great selling point but it's such fragile material, and can be ruined so easily, with the right direction and production etc. it could definately work.
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#8

re: My Fair Lady - remake

All three of the actresses mentioned are not vocally equipped to sing Eliza and only one is British. They would all have to be, at the very least, partially dubbed since none of them are professional singers. Of the three Jessica Biel is the best singer, but she is still not a good enough actress or singer to play Eliza.

If a real star such as Daniel Day Lewis or Hugh Laurie is signed to play Higgins then the most obvious and best choice to play Eliza is LISA O'HARE, who not only played the role brilliantly both in the West End and in the US tour, but has a superb voice ideally suited for the role. With O'Hare as Eliza the remake of My Fair Lady would at least have a chance of being compared favorably to the much-loved 1964 film classic, which is a tough act to follow, especially the impossible to duplicate or surpass orchestrations and conducting by Andre Previn (unless Previn is the music director of the remake). O'Hare embodies the best qualities of Audrey Hepburn, the most brilliant actress to ever play Eliza, and Julie Andrews, the most brilliant singer ever to sing the role.

Have we not learned anything since the original film was made? Why cast marginal or non-singers in the role when a great actress AND singer like Lisa O'Hare is equipped to give us what may well be the definitive acting and singing Eliza on the screen?


"I long-ago realized that this country is a nation of morons, when it comes to knowledge of anything outside, or beyond, pop culture." Steve Slezak

Updated On: 8/17/09 at 07:20 PM

#9

re: My Fair Lady - remake

Good God, I hope this NEVER happens.
#10

re: My Fair Lady - remake

Les Mis i think should maybe be left as just a stage triumph... Miss Saigon I can really see adapted to the films and think it could be done very well.
#11

re: My Fair Lady - remake

Miss Saigon screams out to be made into a film, Les Mis however im just not sure would work as well.

Kiera Knightly as Eliza would be sublime, slight concern if she ahs the voice. But its got to be an improvement on the orginal
#12

re: My Fair Lady - remake

Nothing will ever beat the original simply because nothing will ever top Rex Harrison as Henry Higgins. And Keira Knightley can't sing anywhere near well enough for that role and she also has not got the acting capacity for it. She also looks wrong for it. Just generally - very wrong. The whole idea is a terrible one.
#13

re: My Fair Lady - remake

I think Keira looks like a nice Eliza. Personally i'm more excited about Miss Saigon... that evactuation scene is gonna be incredible. But who'll be playing who is the big question? I'm keeping my fingers crossed they don't have some pop star wannabe playing Kim and please keep Zac Efron away from Marius and Enjorlas if they make Les Mis!
Jesus Loves You... Everybody else thinks you're an idiot!
#14

re: My Fair Lady - remake



I simply dont see the need to remake this in the fist place, and who the hell is Lisa O'Hare to the movie going public. Believe me if this goes ahead we will see an 'out of her depth' A list star in the title role.

I'd rather keep watching Rex and Audrey
#15

re: My Fair Lady - remake

It'll be Beyonce... she's in VERY movie musical lol
Jesus Loves You... Everybody else thinks you're an idiot!
#16

re: My Fair Lady - remake

Could Cam Mack just come to his senses and cast Laura Michelle Kelly as Eliza? She will be recognised by some of the public from Sweeney Todd, and also from Mary Poppins, and has the chops to both sing and act the role. Plus she is still only 28.
#17

re: My Fair Lady - remake

I think Laura Michelle Kelly would be a good choice myself... she looks young and can sing the role well. If she's already acting like a diva though will Cameron allow it? Also i think it'll have to be someone who the public recognises... Anne Hathaway has a lovely voice and she did women in white at sydminton (sp?) and sounded ok from clips i heard... with a studio tuning she'd be pretty good!
Jesus Loves You... Everybody else thinks you're an idiot!
#18

re: My Fair Lady - remake

Miss Saigon would make a great film especially with such a great story and location. I'm sure Cameron and one of the major studios would want this be an award contender.

As for My Fair Lady, I think Keira Knightley would be fine but I would prefer Anne Hathaway. For Higgins, I would say Hugh Laurie or Jonathan Pryce, not sure for Alfred Dolittle and Freddy Eynsford-Hill.

I am thinking the new film will be based on the 2001 NT revival which is no bad thing as that was excellent.
#19

re: My Fair Lady - remake

Team Pryce here :)
Jesus Loves You... Everybody else thinks you're an idiot!
#20

re: My Fair Lady - remake

My dream cast is:
Eliza - Laura Michelle Kelly
Higgins - Jonathan Pryce
Pickering - Frank Langella
Freddy - Ben Barnes
Doolittle - John Lithgow
Mrs Pearce - Imedla Staunton
Mrs Higgins - Julie Andrews

Please bring Matthew Bourne back to do choreography!!

Updated On: 8/19/09 at 03:16 PM

#21

re: My Fair Lady - remake

Welcome to the West End board dayoa - I always enjoy reading your knowledgeable and objective posts on the Broadway board.

The best and only reason I can think of for making another film is to change the ending. The idea that Eliza will affectionately fetch that prick's slippers is ridiculous.
#22

re: My Fair Lady - remake

My dream cast: (yeah, I know it ain't gonna happen)
Eliza Doolittle: Rose Byrne (yes, she is a skilled singer)
Henry Higgins: Iain Glen
Colonel Pickering: Ian McKellen
Freddy Eynsford-Hill: Stuart Townshend
Alfred Doolittle: Geoffrey Hughes, a better fit for this role could not be found than this wonderful British actor who played the similarly inclined "Onslow" on the series, "Keeping Up Appearances"
Mrs. Pierce: Julia MacKenzie (one musical theater's treasures)
Mrs. Higgins: Julie Andrews (not only for sentiment, she would be great in the role)
Zoltan Karpathy: Karl Urban

My Avatar is the amazing young singer, James Anest
#23

re: My Fair Lady - remake

Going with a proper musical theatre actress is highly unlikely, but if they were to pick an 'unknown' amongst the stars...Laura Michelle Kelly would be great, although her Sweeney Todd role was hardly a break out performance...it does give her a slight advantage.
#24

re: My Fair Lady - remake

I never knew Rose Byrne could sing. She definitely has the "look" for the role.
#25

re: My Fair Lady - remake

My Cast Would Be...

Eliza: Anne Hathaway: She's delicate but feisty and she can act. Also it will be a box office seller and she has a nice voice that with a studio boost will sound lovely.

Higgins: Jonathon Pryce... wont be beaten in this role.

Pickering: Richard Griffiths: I think he'd be really funny in the role and it would contrast well with Pryce.

Mrs Higgins: Julie Andrews... she's just wonderful.

Freddy: Aaron Tviet... i think he's beautiful and really it would be nice to have a young Broadway actor in the film. Dominic Cooper would also be quite good in the role.

Mrs Peirce: Judy Dench... she'd probably never do it but it would be awesome.

Alfred P Doolittle: For some reason Robin Williams... i reckon he'd make the character really funny. I never liked Stanley Holloway for some reason.
Jesus Loves You... Everybody else thinks you're an idiot!

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