Scarlett Johansson/Sound of Music

I read today that Andrew Lloyd Webber shot down Scarlett Johansson's chance to play Maria in the London Revival of Sound of Music because of her and her people's "outrageous demands". I don't know if that's true (a rep of hers says it was due to scheduling conflicts not Hollywood demands), but I'm definitely leaning towards scheduling conflicts as the real reason. If you look at her IMDb page, you'll see thats he has seven film projects going on, which would rule out doing a substantial stint in a West End musical, unless he decided to drop everything.

Anyway, what are your thoughts? Personally, I think she's a pretty good actress, although very over-rated. She looks very much the part, to me. I'm just curious about her voice. Has anyone heard her sing? I just find it odd that everyone keeps rushing to these big name stars to do musicals, without even thinking about whether or not they can sing (Keira Knightley/My Fair Lady rumours anyone?), or maybe they truly can and I'm just pre-judging.

EDIT: woops, didn't mean for all that bold action

Updated On: 8/1/06 at 01:55 AM

She sang Summertime on the Unexpected Dreams: Songs From The Stars cd. If you look it up on Amazon you can probably hear a clip. I found it to be pleasant.

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The quote I read from ALW was that she wasn't happy with the money 18,500/wk (I actually don't remember if that is dollars, pounds or euros) and she required two full time assistants backstage.

Their argument was why would she work for that when she can $10M a movie. The stage can't support that kind of salary. Obviously, Julia Roberts and others have thought the experience was worth the cut in pay!

no matter how I look at it, I think she would be awful in the role.

I agree. I can't find the original article, but if is pounds then it is about $35,000/wk. Nathan Lane and Mathew Brodrick both made over $40k, but the economics of London may be different than broadway and Scarlett may not be as big a draw there as here. In the same article ALW was not to high on the financial viability of the London theaters in the near future.

Possibly. I wonder if her voice is even high enough, though? I mean, her speaking voice is low, too.... though I don't know how much speaking voice dictates singing range, at all.

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I kind of agree with her though. If it became a smash, it would largely be because of her, and therefore she's right in wanting to get a pretty good share.
I just don't think it's a good idea for her right now, anyway. She is a very in-demand actress, and has filming projects coming out of her ears. If this was something she really wanted to do, it would have to be #1 on her priority list, and right now movies seem to be whats he's most worried about, and she doesn't have time for a "passion" project.

ALW is far better off, going with this yet to be discovered Maria, on the reality television show, in the UK. He gets about a billion times more publicity, and many more people will want to see the show, once they vote for the Maria. Johansson doesn't have the drawing power of a reality television show.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC doesn't usually have issues filling seats, no matter who's in it. I still say that somebody who the public watched and got to know and voted for, will draw more of those who wouldn't have otherwise gone, and those that would have gone will go, regardless. Does anyone actually go see a film because Scarlett Johansson's in it? But, we'll have to wait and see.

Updated On: 8/1/06 at 01:59 PM

Michael Bennett, it was Channel 4, not the BBC, and it has only just closed (on Saturday)- hardly last season. Average houses were 50% with weekends performing better. I saw the show, and it was bizarre to say the least, but I would have gladly seen it again, for the excellent performances (Maxine Peak was STUNNING) and the excellent set/technical design (interesting use of video and flown set).

The project was a Sonia Friedman (VERY successful producer on Broadway and in the West End) and Channel 4 co-production.

Ah, the word series is rarely used (if ever) in that context over here. Never in theatre either, whereas someone might say 'last season on broadway', i have never heard anyone say 'last season in the west end'.