Streep is amazing and I think she could pull off almost any role, I think someone else could play Mrs. Lovett better. Even though it's very unlikely (on the verge of impossible), It would crack me up to see Bernadette Peters in this role! But, I agree she is too nice to play Mrs. Lovett.
Rathnait, I'm quite familiar with the show's score thank you.
Mrs Lovett is a character part, which Angela Lansbury pulled off without having been trained as a classical singer. Meryl Streep seems quite qualified to meet the demands of the role.
I'm pretty sure that Streep could sing the score without any changes.
"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter
I think Streep would attract more people to the movie and if Sondheim is personally involved somehow (even though I'm not sure whether he will be) it should be amazing.
If Percy Blakeney were in Les Mis....
Percy: Sink me! If it isn't Javvurt!
Javert: Zsah-vair, it's pronounced Zsah-vair.
Pecry: But it's spelled J-A-V-E-R-T Javvurt.
Javert: Repeat after me Zsah...Zsah....
Percy: Oh! Zsa-Zsa! Like the Gabor sister! Well I personally have always prefered Eva.
Javert: (Looks for gun)
Did you happen to catch Mother Courage in the park???
I was hugely impressed with her abilities in this. Her voice was excellent...strong and gutteral!! No, by no means is she considered a "typical musical theatre actress" - but thank god! That is what makes her so appealing in this project...She approaches all text from the character's perspective and doesn't go into "I-hope-my-voice-sounds-pretty-musical-theatre-La-La-Land" and mentally drops out when the music starts...as so often seems to be the case! She is a fearless TIGRESS!
Let's hope this is true....That, or would have to vote for Toni Collette...after such an impressive turn in Wild Party...
Hehe, I just finished watching ANGELS IN AMERICA - again - and so I am extremely content with this news. She's one of the most versatile actresses we have out there...
Don't get me wrong. She's a big name...but not amongst movie crowds. She may draw audiences out of the sheer intrigue to see if she can act (which we're priviledged to know already).
I could see her being cast if the supporting cast contains some bankable names.
"I love talking about nothing. It is the only thing I know anything about." - Oscar Wilde
Well let's hope that these American actresses can pull off a cockney slattern, personally, I think it unlikely. Streep is far too dignified and Peters couldn't pull off an RP accent for Song and Dance (Lord knows where that was supposed to be from, probably the same inexpicable place that Lansbury got hers from).
Maybe it would be wise tocast someone who could really do it -like Collette, perhaps, or B-C or Thompson....
"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter