gwyneth paltrow V. mary-louise parker

[Pippin]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 7:57pm

does anyone know why Gwyneth is in the mary louise parker role in the film "proof" and Parker is not. after all, while she is not as big a name as gwyneth, she is a name in her own right and a tony winner for the role.

[gavrochegirl]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 7:58pm

Maybe she's busy. Who knows...

[jo]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 8:33pm

Gwyneth played the lead role in PROOF at the Donmar in London, which I was able to see. She was very good in it and I suspect that she was trying out the role as she might have already been offered the role in the film version then?

Hollywood will cast a Hollywood name, if they believe the actor has both the artistic talent and the box-office draw.

[almostxfamous]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 8:41pm

Well, Mary Louise Parker does have that new show on Showtime, Weeds. Could that have conflicted with the filming of the movie?

[apdarcey]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 8:54pm

they both played the role to much acclaim. one on broadway, one in the west end. they are both film actresses primarily. gwenyth will probably give the producers a bigger audience.

enough said.

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 9:24pm

Anyone know when/if the film is going to be released?

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 9:28pm

If I'm not mistaken, Mary-Louise Parker is on record, having brought up her hurt feelings over not even being asked to reprise the role of Catherine in her movie.

Probably a Miramax/Gwyneth love affair again? I'll see if I can find M-L P's quote.

[pab]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 9:29pm

Mary-Louise was considered to be too old to play the screen role by the project's original director, Nicholas Hytner, which is why it went to Paltrow.

She was not too thrilled about that either but she does admit that she was too old.

Question: On the other side of coin, do you have any interest in seeing the movie of Proof?

Answer: I don't. I'm not even curious. Not to be bitchy or anything, but I know what happens in Proof. I did it every night for a year and a half. I had my experience and I loved my experience. If you offered me the movie over the play, even if you told me I was going to win an Oscar for it, I would pick the play. That's so much more rewarding to me. I had the experience of taking it from its very first reading around a table to Broadway, which nobody thought was going to happen. One of my agents literally laughed at me when I said, "This got good reviews; do you think it will move?" I just felt it would have been nice if David [Auburn, the playwright] had come to me and said, "I'm selling the rights." I have zero bitterness now, but it hurt me that he didn't bother to tell me he had sold it because I was so close to it. They weren't going to produce it on Broadway without me. [Playwright] Robbie Baitz said, "You can do [a movie of] The Substance of Fire, but only if you use Ron Rifkin." I felt like because I had so much to do with getting the play done, it would have been classier if David had said something to me. But I was too old for [the movie] anyway.

Updated On: 8/5/05 at 09:29 PM

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 9:43pm

Thanks pab. That was the quote I was thinking of.

[mabel]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 9:45pm

Yeah...as much as I love MLP, and I DO, she can't exactly pull off 25 anymore. Ah well, she's had plenty of other great things to keep her busy...Weeds looks great, btw!

ETA: Two f's in "off"...'magine that.

Updated On: 8/5/05 at 09:45 PM

[bwayfan3]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 9:49pm

This movie was actually made a while ago (before Gwyneth even had Apple I think) but it's been on the back burner because of all of that brouhaha between Miramax and Disney.

I like Gwyneth and all and i guess she is and does look younger but mary louise is amazing. she's one of my favs.

[bunchamuncha]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 9:58pm

Paltrow is also working with director John Madden again (he directed the London version of Proof, as well as having directed Paltrow in Shakespeare in Love)

[mabel]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 10:24pm

nystateomind, I think the latest I've read on the release date is September 16th...I don't think anyone else said the date on the thread, have they??

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 10:28pm

I think Mary-Louise Parker is one of the finest actresses working, but at age 42, she certainly can't pass for 25. Thirty-five maybe, but not 25. She's aged a bit in the five years since she originated the role.

I'm really looking forward to this film version of one of my absolute favorite recent plays (which I saw on Broadway 38 times).

[mabel]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 10:31pm

38?!?!? Yeow! That's...impressive, mef!

The thing is, just because MLP could pull it off on stage 5 years ago, doesn't mean she could swing it on film now...what can ya do? I still love her. Hope Weeds goes well, and I hope she lands back on/off Broadway again soon!!!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 10:35pm

I think Gwyneth is an ok actress but I don't understand the Oscar. Never will.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 10:40pm

I know, I was a bit...obsessed with the show.

On stage, you can play younger. Film is not as forgiving. Let's not forget that Jennifer Jason Leigh was 40 when she replaced MLP.

[pab]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 10:43pm

Yes mabel, September 16th is the scheduled opening date.
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