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The Rain in Spain Stays Mainly in the Plain

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under Trade News | Comments (37)

carey_mulligan_1.jpg

I don’t know why I hadn’t yet put this together, but the CD that my two year old listens to incessantly is the soundtrack to My Fair Lady (don’t blame me; blame the mother), the same My Fair Lady that is currently being remade by John Madden. I guess I’ve never actually seen My Fair Lady, so I don’t know if it’s any good. But, the kid’s like one of those ’80s Aquanet and Mascara dumpsters at a Skid Row concert whenever he hears “With a Little Bit,” or “The Rain in Spain,” which is like 47 times a day. (If you like your testicles, you won’t try to read anything into that.)

Anyway, the movie — scripted by Emma Thompson — has been in the works for years, but it seems to finally be moving ahead, after months of speculation over who would take the role of Eliza Doolittle. Kiera Knightly dropped out of the project recently, and now it seems that the role will go to Carey Mulligan (!), after Emma Thompson revealed as much as much to the BBC at a red carpet interview, confirming earlier reports (and contradicting Mulligan’s own denial a month ago).

That’s great news, I think. I mean: As long as she can sing. is there anything untoward about My Fair Lady that I should know about? It’s just a musical Pygmalion, right?

Madden is also apparently courting Hugh Grant for the role of Professor Higgins, who turns a plain Ann flower girl into a woman of high society. Daniel Day Lewis and Colin Firth have apparently been ruled out.

I can’t honestly speak intelligently to the remake despite the second-hand knowledge of the soundtrack, but who doesn’t love a good Pygmalion story? And Carey Mulligan? And a script from Emma Thompson? I’m sold.

(Source: BBC)

Update: I’ll also note that, in an interview with Collider, Mulligan had this to say about the possibility of playing Eliza Doolittle, after being told that Emma Thompson said she’d be in the film: “Oh, that’s nice. Well, that’s hugely flattering and that would be great. I really don’t know, at this point, what’s happening with that. That’s lovely that Emma said that. That’s really nice. But, I honestly don’t know.”


Hmmm. So there you go! Carey Mulligan is definitely maybe could be playing Eliza Doolitte in My Fair Lady. And at the very least, she’s flattered that Emma Thompson said she would be, which is a weird thing to be flattered about if you’re not actually going to star in the movie.










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Comments

Why?

Posted by: Kolby at March 26, 2010 9:33 AM

Must they? Can't they just leave the loves of my life alone, already? I love Emma Thompson, I do, but she needs to back away from a movie that does not need any fixing. And if Hugh I've-made-my-career-out-of-playing-the-charming-idiot Grant is to be Professer Higgins...I will cry. Higgins is not a charming idiot. He's a bit of a dick, and I love him that way. *clutches My Fair Lady DVD to her chest*

...admittedly, I have no opinion on Carey Mulligan playing Eliza, and she doesn't really have to sing if she can't. Audrey Hepburn didn't. I was opposed to Kiera Knightly, though. I just couldn't believe they were seriously going to follow Julie Andrews and Audrey Hepburn with her. It made my heart hurt.

Posted by: elleyezee at March 26, 2010 9:47 AM

Hmm. Not that Audrey Hepburn and Julie Andrews are technically big shoes to fill, but metaphorically they are MASSIVE. I am rooting for Carey, but I kind of feel bad for her too. Why would they remake something like this? What's next, Mary Poppins or Breakfast at Tiffany's?

Posted by: Anne (in Reno) at March 26, 2010 9:47 AM

This really doesn't need a remake.

Posted by: AES at March 26, 2010 9:48 AM

The casting is fine, but My Fair Lady is a freaking classic and there is really no reason at all to remake it. My adolescent crush on Audrey Hepburn began with that movie and continued for...well, how old am I? She is just luminous in that movie, and the fact she is not the one singing is completely irrelevant. Now if you'll excuse me I have to go sing "Wouldn't it be Lovely" in a delightful cockney accent.

Posted by: TylerDFC at March 26, 2010 9:48 AM

elleyzee, you have a point. I am much less offended by this casting that I would have been by K.K. Hugh Grant is still an awful choice though. Although, didn't he go full asshole in About A Boy? Can he do it?

Posted by: Anne (in Reno) at March 26, 2010 9:54 AM

No, it DOESN'T Need a remake. And if there's even a rumor of a Mary Poppins or Breakfast at Tiffany's remake, the Murdertank is coming out in full force.
Incidentally, Dustin, you should really go rent My Fair Lady now. Your two-year-old seems to have amazing taste.

Posted by: KXJXBX at March 26, 2010 9:55 AM

Oh, fuckmerunning. My Fair Lady was already remade as Pretty Woman, and in the translation lost nothing of its loathsome sexism and its nauseating attitude towards the caste system. I hate both versions and I hate this news.

Even the luminous Audrey Hepburn couldn't elevate that horrible, condescending, soul-crushing story.

Posted by: Jerce at March 26, 2010 10:10 AM

As script choices go, this would be a bit too "on the nose" for Ms. Mulligan, don't you think?

Posted by: sansho1 at March 26, 2010 10:14 AM

Is anyone else reading "remade by John Madden"? Is there someone that I don't know about with the same name as the annoying fatass who talks over football games?

Posted by: Optimus Rhyme at March 26, 2010 10:18 AM

I love My Fair Lady. I'm conflicted. On the one hand, I think it's a wonderful film that doesn't need to be remade. On the other hand, it might be interesting to see a modern take on it. Let's not forget that it was itself a musical adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion, which originally had Eliza SPOILER FOR THE NOT WELL-READ (just in case, people)!!! eavinglay Ofessorpray Igginshay andyay arriesmay Eddyfray, which some might say was a pretty severe raping of the original.

On the one hand, I like Carey Mulligan and, in that same hand, I hate Keira Knightley and her narsty underbite and wooden acting.

On the other hand, I cannot abide the thought of Hugh Grant playing 'enry 'iggins. Please tell me that's a mistake and that you meant Hugh Laurie instead. Although I suppose the age difference might cause a stir. But, oh, wouldn't it be sublime to see Hugh Laurie as Prof. Higgins? At least we know he can sing.

Mmm... wait, what were we talking about again?

Posted by: Jelinas at March 26, 2010 10:24 AM

It doesn't matter if she can sing. They dubbed over Audrey Hepburn's voice for the original.

Jerce:

I would take issue with the objection to the message. At the time GBS wrote Pygmalion, his point was that accent immediately put someone into a class category and determines his/her life prospects (which was absolutely true at the time). Higgins proved that one could take a "lower class" individual, train him/her to speak in an educated manner and instantly that person's prospects change. It was exposing the shallowness of the class system, not glorifying it.

P.S. I agree completely with you on "Pretty Woman" but I don't see that as comparable with "Pygmalion" or "My Fair Lady"

Posted by: PaddyDog at March 26, 2010 10:26 AM

Jerce, I wondered the same thing.

This is going to be a running joke like Obama's speech writer being a different Jon Favreau isn't it?

Posted by: JenVegas at March 26, 2010 10:34 AM

I second Jelinas nom of Hugh Laurie as Prof. Higgins. And I'm totally onboard w/ Carey Mulligan as Eliza.

Yeah, I recall fondly the original and share the crush on Audry Hepburn.

However, recall that the movie was a copy of the stage play.

And, as we've already learned, NOTHING is sacred where Hollywood is concerned.

Next thing you know we'll have "Casablanca" or "The Maltese Falcon" remade with Jason Statham taking on Bogie's role.

Posted by: UncleJR at March 26, 2010 10:36 AM

UncleJR, I just threw up in my mouth. Get that loathsome idea off the internet before someone gets wind of it and kills our souls...er...I mean, makes it happen.

Jerce, while I too object to the sexism and classism in My Fair Lady, I think it's both charming and an interesting cultural artifact. For instance, did you know that in the late 1950s, it was the bestselling album out there? According to Louis Menand, this signifies America's fascination with education and the development of language during the Cold War. His claim is actually extremely well substantiated and much more complex than that, but I'm pretty sure a contributing factor was America's fascination with Audrey Hepburn during the Cold War.

Sorry, that was probably pretty boring. That's what you get for engaging me while I'm caffeinated and enrolled in a course called "Art and Thought of the Cold War." Now my entire day is made -- I love it when real life ties in with classes! It makes my liberal arts education feel so worthwhile!

Posted by: esme at March 26, 2010 10:52 AM

Hmmm, I love the original, but this could be very cool. Carey Mulligan would be a great choice, and oddly, Hugh Grant would be a good choice for Higgins. And if Emma Thompson is penning, I trust her adaptation skills....

Posted by: dammitjanet at March 26, 2010 11:00 AM

Why does this need to be remade? The original film is a classic that starred some of the biggest names in acting. Was does it need to be rewritten? The only travesty from the original movie was that it did NOT star Julie Andrews.

Why doesn't Emma Thompson try her hand at making a bad movie good as a remake? She did an awesome job making Sense and Sensibility a good movie, when it's a so-so book (and I do love Jane Austin, but it's not one of her best).

Posted by: BWeaves at March 26, 2010 11:05 AM

I'm surprised that so many people care so much about this so early in the day.

Save your energy, people. This CAN'T be the worst movie news we'll encounter today (psst -- I heard they're hiring Michael Bay to film a Shawshank Redemption remake -- zoomzoom)

Posted by: superasente at March 26, 2010 11:07 AM

*claps hand over UncleJR's mouth*

SHHH!! Don't you know that if you talk about it, it might come true???

I will release you only because you backed up my Hugh Laurie nom. He is tasty, isn't he?

And superasente: UGH, don't remind me. Yesterday was pretty much the pits; I don't think I can take two days in a row.

Posted by: Jelinas at March 26, 2010 11:14 AM

Jelinas... Hugh Grant and Hugh Laurie are different in age by one year. :)

Posted by: annie711pm at March 26, 2010 11:23 AM

I like it. I mean, is a remake necessary? Of course not. But if they have to do it, I love Carey Mulligan.

Posted by: Cindy at March 26, 2010 11:34 AM

As they say....because of course she is.

Posted by: Jay at March 26, 2010 11:38 AM

As sick as I am of remakes, I'm glad that Mulligan is doing it instead of Keira Knightley. She aint' Eliza Doolittle.

Posted by: Brie at March 26, 2010 11:44 AM

Excellent. It falls right in the wheelhouse of movies that need to be remade; excellent idea, crummy execution. The original movie is far overlong, has the pacing of a snail and Audrey Hepburn was woefully miscast.

(However, they better not try to take it out of the period it's set in unless Thompson knows exactly what she's doing.)

Posted by: Joseph J. Finn at March 26, 2010 11:47 AM

my fair lady's been one of my favorite movies since i was a kid, and if they remake it it's not like i'll like the original any less.
carey mulligan as eliza is an inspired choice. i can't think of anyone else who'd do such an amazing job.
hugh grant, however, can go fuck himself. i didn't even realize he was still relevant to society. his stammering shmaltzy hammed up charm is the complete polar opposite of henry higgins and would be a disservice

Posted by: chiefly at March 26, 2010 11:49 AM

annie711pm, I could just kiss you. That is the best news I've heard all day.

*hugs self, kisses annie*

COME ON, HOLLYWOOD!!! GIVE ME SOME LAURIE UP IN THERE!!!!!

Posted by: Jelinas at March 26, 2010 12:26 PM

SHHH!! Don't you know that if you talk about it, it might come true???

Have I not been saying this for forever? Nobody listens to me, I swear. You people deserve what you get.

Posted by: TK at March 26, 2010 12:38 PM

Since this is inevitable, I won't scream "NOOOO!" at the screen like I did last night at my TV when I first heard of this.

I'll just say that Hugh Grant would be a terrible choice. It has to someone who LOOKS like a bit of a pompous ass, an older gentleman with no charm and an angry disposition.

*needle scratch sound*

Jelinas, that's a BRILLIANT IDEA. Hugh Laurie would be perfect! and EXACTLY what I meant in my paragraph up there.

Posted by: figgy at March 26, 2010 12:58 PM

Optimus >> Yeah, there is another John Madden. He directed Shakespeare In Love, among other things. He'll always get my respect for having directed the three NPR Star Wars radio dramas.

Posted by: DarthCorleone at March 26, 2010 1:47 PM

Dustin >> As long as the kid's favorite song on the soundtrack isn't "A Hymn To Him," I think you're o.k.

Posted by: DarthCorleone at March 26, 2010 1:49 PM

A Little Bit of Luck is catchy as hell, but we all know it's all about Get Me To The Church On TIme. I love a drunken, cockney father.

Posted by: coveredinbees at March 26, 2010 3:31 PM

I, for one, would take a remake of Breakfast at Tiffany's. The old one is great in a lot of ways, but then there's Mr. Yuniyoshi. It's too painful to watch. Seriously, I can't watch it. Audrey is, of course, amazing and George Peppard gives me The Dirty Thoughts, but I can't watch it. I just can't.

Posted by: The Wandering Parakeet at March 26, 2010 3:34 PM

Talk about huge shoes to fill - there is no one like Rex Harrison. Hugh Laurie would be ok, but he's got to bring the snooty as well as the dickness. Henry Higgins is such a great character, if pulled off correctly - Hugh Grant couldn't do it. You don't even need a really good Eliza (Carey Mulligan could do it, and YAY Knightely's out, tho I do think there's nothing but cotton, hay, and rags in her head), but you have to have a good Higgins to do it right. Ken Branagh could do it (because, of course, he can do everything), maybe, but really, who else? It's hard to find the snootydickness, is what I'm saying.

Posted by: Chickaboom at March 26, 2010 3:58 PM

You need to watch some of Hugh Laurie's earlier work if you don't think he can do snooty. Although I myself hate the movie Sense and Sensibility, I'm pretty sure he was in that. And he was the best thing about it (aside from the lady who played his wife). But I can't really remember because I hated that movie (because Hugh Grant was in it, Emma Thompson tried to play someone 20 years her junior, I didn't get the fascination with her suitor and just... well a whole 'nother mess of stuff).

Posted by: Stella at March 26, 2010 4:36 PM

You hated Sense and Sensibility? I wonder why? Well, I did love it, and I remember him in it, and I guess he could do the job. No slam against him - he just strikes me more as perpetually pissed, not snooty. Not condescendingly upper class, just condescending and curmudgeonly, but it might do the trick. He has to take some joy in punishing Eliza, not just be crabby about it, is the thing. That's what makes Higgins so awful - he knows he's a dick and likes it.

Posted by: Chickaboom at March 26, 2010 6:02 PM

When did John Madden become a movie producer?
Is this his 3rd career after football?

Posted by: logan at March 27, 2010 11:21 AM

I'd love to see Julie Andrews to play
Henry Higgin's mother in this film remake.
Why? First off, Julie DID the Broadway/London productions of MY FAIR LADY.
And Julie DIDN'T get to do the 1964 movie.
Give Julie Andrews, a LOVERLY birthday gift-this year, in two weeks.
And hire her to play Mrs. Higgins.
CHEERIO!

Posted by: Vicki Bee at September 21, 2010 5:12 PM