By Christopher Campbell
Oscar-nominated British ingénue Carey Mulligan ("An Education") has been somewhat confirmed for the iconic role of Eliza Doolittle in a new film version of “My Fair Lady,” according to BBC News (via The Auteur Daily).
The latest word on the casting came straight from the mouth of actress Emma Thompson, who scripted the remake, on the red carpet for last night’s UK premiere of the family film sequel “Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang.” “I think Cary is set to play it, yes,” Thompson told BBC 5.
Previously, Keira Knightley had been loosely attached to the musical in the part originally portrayed by Julie Andrews on stage and most famously by Audrey Hepburn in a 1964 Best Picture-winning film. But the “Pirates of the Caribbean” actress ultimately dropped out, reportedly because the project was taking too long to come together.
Carey has been rumored as a frontrunner ever since, though she denied such claims to Digital Spy in February. Honestly, of any of this year’s Best Actress nominees, I’d hoped real-life Cinderella, Gabourey Sidibe, would be the next logical choice. Yet if Emma wasn’t mistaken, it seems instead that Carey was only trying to lead reporters off her trail.
Now we just have to wait for certainty that the also-rumored-to-be-linked Hugh Grant is set to play male lead Henry Higgins. Personally, I prefer Hugh’s occasional costar Colin Firth, who has also been reportedly interested. However, it seems unlikely that this other recent Oscar nominee (for Best Actor for “A Single Man”) will be given the chance.
Another unlikely choice, unfortunately: John Mayer, who I witnessed play the role in a community theater production when we were 12 (I played his butler).
“We still don't know about Higgins,” Emma said of the casting. “I love Hugh so I'd love him to do it, he might want to, he might not want to, so we don't know yet. But hopefully we'll make it later this year."
Might Colin be a possible contender for Col. Pickering, then, at the very least? I’d love to see him and Hugh reunited on screen for the education and social sculpting of Carey’s flower girl-turned-proper lady. And maybe John can be wooed in to play the young suitor, Freddy?
What do you think of Carey Mulligan playing Eliza Doolittle? And what actor would you cast as Henry Higgens?
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