Why did they decide not to dub Pierce Brosnan's singing in "Mamma Mia?"

[beautywickedlover]

Posted: 1/4/11 at 10:13pm

I was listening to the "Mamma Mia" movie soundtrack today and I don't understand why they didn't dub Pierce Brosnan's singing voice in "Mamma Mia" like Audrey's Hepburn's was dubbed in "My Fair Lady" and Minnie Driver "Phantom of the Opera." Audrey's singing voice obviously didn't suit the part of Eliza. Here's her actual singing of "I Could of Danced All Night" and "Show Me:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGIae9NCbdQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8zyF0ZOy3k

I can see why it was better that Marni Nixon dubbed her singing voice.

Minnie Driver obviously must be no Judy Kaye to sing notes like Carlotta does.

Pierce's singing voice obviously wasn't strong enough for the role of Sam. If someone dubbed Pierce's singing he would not have received so much backlash and he probably wouldn't won the Razzie Award for Worst Supporting Actor. Why did they not bub his singing voice?












Updated On: 9/16/11 at 10:13 PM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/4/11 at 10:14pm

Because everyone needs a belly laugh now and then.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 1/4/11 at 10:28pm

I think the bigger question is why they gave him ANOTHER song to sing.

[RainbowJude]

Posted: 1/4/11 at 10:30pm

As far as I'm concerned, they shouldn't have cast any of those people in the first place. Cast someone who can sing or don't bother.

[beautywickedlover]

Posted: 1/4/11 at 10:35pm

"As far as I'm concerned, they shouldn't have cast any of those people in the first place. Cast someone who can sing or don't bother"

If you're saying they shouldn't have cast Audrey in "My Fair Lady" I disagree with you on that. Even though Audrey did not sing in the film her acting was wonderful and she still should have gotten an Oscar nomination. Peggy Wood did not actually sing in "The Sound of Music," but her acting was amazing and she deserved her Oscar nomination.
Updated On: 1/5/11 at 10:35 PM

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 1/4/11 at 11:01pm

Probably for the same reason they gave him the part to begin with.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 1/4/11 at 11:34pm

"As far as I'm concerned, they shouldn't have cast any of those people in the first place. Cast someone who can sing or don't bother."

Who do you mean when you say "any of those people"? Because I actually thought the majority of them were good. Pierce was definitely one of the weaker points, singing-wise.

[Overkill]

Posted: 1/4/11 at 11:57pm

He tried...you can't say he dropped the ball like Depp did with Sweeney. lol He REALLY put his all into it, which didn't do much good...

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 1/5/11 at 12:19am

^ I would take Johnny's singing over Brosnan's any day.

[beautywickedlover]

Posted: 1/5/11 at 12:20am

"Who do you mean when you say "any of those people"?"

I'm wondering the same thing. Does he mean the actors from "Mamma Mia" or Audrey, Minnie, Peggy, and Pierce?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/5/11 at 12:25am

I read an interview with Cher today where he said how much she wanted to do this film but her schedule wouldn't allow it. Maybe I would have liked it if she had.

[Moneyspider]

Posted: 1/5/11 at 12:51am

I can't speak as to the creative choices- I think "Under Attack" should've been in it- surrealism and all...But perhaps it's my sense of humor but I thought it was more amusing to have a leading man sing badly for once, particularly in this sort of cheesefest

[Urban]

Posted: 1/5/11 at 8:09am

I guess it isn't the 'in' thing to dub these days like the use to. Minnie Driver was different because Carlotta wasn't just a normal singing voice.

Or he could've just use his 'star power' to force his voice to be used. Heck, Lucy did it.

[HistoryBoy2]

Posted: 1/5/11 at 8:55am

'I Could of Dancing All Night' - incredible.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 1/5/11 at 9:56am

Half the cast couldn't sing so it would be insult to just dub him.

IMO the only people who could carry a tune were Streep, Siefried, and Baranski.

[SondheimFan23]

Posted: 1/5/11 at 10:20am

Cher would have been perfect as Donna.

[beautywickedlover]

Posted: 1/5/11 at 10:38am

"I Could of Dancing All Night' - incredible"

Major typo. My bad.

I also forgot Christopher Plummer had his singing dubbed in "The Sound of Music" because his singing was not up to par with Julie's when they sang their duet. Updated On: 1/5/11 at 10:38 AM

[landryjames2]

Posted: 1/5/11 at 11:35am

I didn't mind Brosnan's voice at all. In fact, I kind of like the last added song. And it's 7,000,000,000 times better than the guy who is playing the role on Broadway right now.

[Jon]

Posted: 1/5/11 at 11:53am

"Casted" - oh dear.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 1/5/11 at 12:04pm

As others stated the practice isn't as widely used today as it once was. Also, I think part of it is that Brosnon's voice is so recognizable that any dubbing would have been noticed.

I found his warbling to be kinda charming.

[amoni]

Posted: 1/5/11 at 1:20pm

Well, it's all water under the bridge. Just think how successful the movie would have been if they had dubbed him. Too bad, a lost opportunity to have a big hit.

[justafan2]

Posted: 1/5/11 at 2:19pm

I'm glad someone finally asked this question. Whenever I have a conversation with anyone concerning this movie--the first question a person raises is "Why did they let Pierce sing?" :)
But, as someone stated----it's water under the bridge. It was such a glaring elephant in the room, tho'---and detracted from the film (IMO). He's a good actor---but this was/is a musical.

[HistoryBoy2]

Posted: 1/5/11 at 2:58pm

He's a good actor---but this was/is a musical.

Oh boy.

[justafan2]

Posted: 1/5/11 at 6:15pm

OK---decent actor. :)

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/5/11 at 6:17pm

You don't mess with a former James Bond