Why HBC is doing Lovett...

[TomMonster]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 9:11pm

Believe it or not, her audition was the best. Just like any show...

Get over it.

My source is Sondheim.

PS: She had to audition just like everyone else. And no favors given to her.

[kyle.]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 9:14pm

Just like Johnny's audition was the best. No favors given to him?

I really do enjoy her, I'm sure she will do great. But like everyone else, I would have LOVED to have seen Toni.

[Patronus]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 9:16pm

Is there any reason whatsoever this couldn't have been placed in the existing Helena Bonham Carter casting thread?

[aspiringactress]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 9:17pm

I really want to see it for myself. She's not an actress who I know very much of, but she has an interesting feel to her from what I've seen and I'm really excited to see what she'll do with it. I would have loved Toni but I don't understand the uproar over HBC casting.

[Stiletto]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 9:23pm

How do you know, exactly?

[kyle.]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 9:23pm

I don't think its SO much the fact that she got cast, because I believe most people think she is right for the role. The uproar is more over the fact that Burton couldn't seem to think outside the box when it came to casting the two most important roles in the film. When there were many other Hollywood names that could have done amazing things with the material, he chose two people that he always casts in his films.
Updated On: 10/19/06 at 09:23 PM

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 9:25pm

I'm just glad it's finally being made. I think he has good people. At least it's not Lupone. She was/is dreadful.
Updated On: 10/19/06 at 09:25 PM

[kyle.]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 9:27pm

I'm hoping he makes a true thriller. I know he has it in him to do amazing things with the film. The question is will he.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 9:30pm

Even if she did have to audition like everybody else and even if her audition was good enough to be worthy of the part, I find it fishy to deny that there was any favoritism at play. I mean, surely Burton wanted her to play the part, even if her audition was great. Much more than talent goes into decisions in the audition process.

Is there any reason whatsoever this couldn't have been placed in the existing Helena Bonham Carter casting thread?

Because he wanted the post in which he told everyone that he got his information directly from Sondheim to be out on its own.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 9:35pm

Believe it or not, Burton did not have a hand in her casting.

Out of all the audition tapes, Helenas was the right choice. No other motives, no nepotism, simply the right person at the right time for the project. (In case you're worried, Streep and Emma Thompson were unavailable due to the fast track schedule of this film.)

And, Stiletto, it came from a personal conversation with Sondheim.

And Patronus, I started the new thread because this is new business. No more conjecture, just facts...

[Patronus]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 9:36pm

Even still...it isn't necessary.

If you are going to name drop in an unnecessary thread you might as well at least make the subject line a bit clearer and more "impressive."

Don't mind me though. I'm grumpy and thus the snark peeks out.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 9:38pm

I don't see it as name dropping. It's letting people know the truth behind something that's being scrutinized. And it's not a rumor, since it comes from the hand that rocks the cradle.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 9:40pm

"Believe it or not, her audition was the best. "

I guess no one else auditioned then. Look, I don't have anything against Carter but it's an amazing coincidence that the actress living with the director was the best actress to audition! Has anyone called Ripley's yet?

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 9:41pm

It's nice to finally know the truth

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 9:41pm

TomMonster, was Toni Collette considered?

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 9:42pm

Do you have any idea if Johanna is close to being cast, Tom? Do you know if the role will go to someone well known or an unknown?

[kyle.]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 9:42pm

I just can't believe that her acting and SINGING were better than anyone else who wanted the role. And that Burton has NO hand at all in the casting of his female lead.

I'm not saying you are making stuff up Tom, I'm just saying it dosen't make sense that he would have no hand in Lovett's casting.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 9:44pm

Believe it or not, Burton did not have a hand in her casting.

I find it extremely shocking that a director would have NO hand in casting one of his leads in a film, let alone that Burton, virtually married to his favorite actors, would had nothing to do with this. That's a bit too ironic.

Honestly, I know very little about her, but if people are questioning her singing abilities, the thing to keep in mind is that it's a movie, and that sound can be altered -- acting takes precendence, probably.

Updated On: 10/19/06 at 09:44 PM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 9:49pm

Hey, they don't question Aaron Sorkin.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 9:50pm

I think what Tom is inferring - though I hate to put words into his mouth is that Sondheim, nepotism or not, may have liked Bonham Carter's test the best. I have no real problem believing that. Carter is a fantastic actress.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 9:51pm

Tom knows, trust me.

And it's good to know Thompson was on the list!!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 9:52pm

Cyndi Lauper was also up for it, I've heard.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 9:54pm

I think what Tom is inferring - though I hate to put words into his mouth is that Sondheim, nepotism or not, may have liked Bonham Carter's test the best.

I have no trouble believing that, either. What I do have trouble believing is that Burton was absent from this decision; why would a director be completely absent from casting his lead?

I would've loved to see Emma Thompson, alas...

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 9:54pm

As long as she delivers I'll be content

[Gothampc]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 9:55pm

Is this the same Sondheim that allowed Prince to direct Elizabeth Taylor in "A Little Night Music"?