October 6
A week ago a reader named Robin and I got into a discussion of the macho actors today; not Clark Gable, John Wayne, Steve MacQueen, or Marlon Brando. We talked about their replacements. The list was not all that long, as that style is not so much in vogue as it was before the sensitive man emerged. We've got a lot of candidates for the role of Ashley Wilkes if they ever do a remake of Gone With the Wind -- but not all that many Rhett Butlers.
You guessed it. This post is going to be the blog equivalent of a chick flick, not that there are no men allowed (and I know my loyal readers, male and female, are already getting involved), but the kind of thing that women love to drag their men into.
Last night I watched Six Degrees, a new series that features one of my all-time favorite of the younger actors, Campbell Scott. His part of the show ended in one of those unforgettable kisses between people neither of whom is me. At last a chance for this guy (who may be the next Anderson Cooper in my fantasy life) to show his talent as a romantic lead. He is the son of Colleen Dewhurst and George C. Scott, and, unlike either of them, has a gentle, sensitive magnetism that has gotten him through scores of good little Indie films, even a really excellent one called Off the Map, which he directed rather than acted in. I seek out Campbell Scott movies; now I'll be able to catch him every week, newly grey and somewhat jaded, but looking very well turned out. Every week that is, if the series, which is highbrow and sometimes a little tricky to follow, lasts.
When we were listing our not macho candidates for movie stardom, Robin came up with Tobey MacGuire, Elijah Wood, Leonardo Dicaprio, and Ashton Kutcher. She said Ben Affleck, but I don't know where to put Ben Affleck. I wouldn't put him anywhere, which is about where Hollywood has put him. I said Johnny Depp. Of course. Okay, Matt Damon. Jim Caviezel.
So let's cast a remake of GWTW, as we like to call it in the South. Scarlett O'Hara has to be sexy and tempestuous. How about Scarlett Johannsen? Same name anyway, but no Vivian Leigh. For the ultimate codependent, Melanie, let's give it to Reese Witherspoon or Gwyneth Paltrow. Rhett Butler would be Matthew McConaghey. Now, of the list above, who gets the role of Ashley Wilkes, the man Scarlett spends her life yearning for?
My vote goes to Campbell Scott.
15 comments:
Scarlett Johanson ... you say she's no Vivian Leigh. Miss Leigh would dream of a face amd body like Scarlett Johanson's, and the youngster can act, too. She was sexy even when almost completely wrapped up in Girl with a Pearl Earring. I saw her last evening, In Good Company. The scene in her dorm room where she seduced the wimpish guy they had playing her lover ... if they hadn't cut that one when they did I would not have been responsible for my actions. I think, though, the Scarlett O'Hara role must be played by a less voluptuous lady. Johanson's obvious appeal would distract from the story line.
How about for Scarlett O'Hara the young lady who sung the lead in Phantom of the Opera, Emmy Rossum. She has the right looks and has shown on occasion that she can act. She resembles Vivian Leigh, but is much more attractive (to my eye).
The real casting problem you'll have with a new GWTW will be trying to find a Butterfly McQueen (other than Whoopie Goldberg). Getting her lines past the politically correct audiences of today may also be a problem.
I'll leave it to you and Robin to cast the male parts. I just don't have the right glands for it.
Maybe you're right about Ms. Johannsen, benedict. I have another thought: Charlize Theron. Charlotte has to be too pretty for her own good, but not necessarily all that endowed. And Theron is a fabulous actress. I don't know Emmy Rossum, but since we don't need singing here, let's give it to an actress. Any other suggestions?
Charlize Theron is an excellent choice for Scarlett,but let's be sure and not pick Brad Pitt for Brett. How horrible he was in the lead role of Troy, he is way to wimpish imo.I love the Rock but that may not go over to well. How about Dennis Quaid, he's built alot like Clark Gable and I like him.
Halle Berry or Angela Basset would make great Butterfly McQueen's and then I just happened to think of Richard Gere as Brett..
Richard Gere is a good choice for Rhett -- but I've thought of a better one. George Clooney! How did I miss that???
Brad Pitt might actually be a good Ashley. I agree he's a little light in the loafers for Rhett. Angelina Jolie could do Scarlett tho. That would be interesting casting all around. I wonder if there are any Hollywood producers reading this blog.
Goodness…Miz Scarlett…. ain’t you girls got nuttin better to do wit your time. Halley Berry as Butterfly McQueen??? Please end this nightmare of the castings of libido’s muses. Maybe as a Disney cartoon, but I think any serious attempt remaking of Gone With the Wind would be a waste of film and Libido.
Second cup of coffee brings this idea. How about an all black version with Halle Berry as Scarlett, Wesley Snipes as Rhett, Denzel Washington as Ashley, and last but not least Rosie O’Donnell as Butterfly McQueen. It could be done all in “White Face” with Rosie in “Black Face”. Ummm let's hope Spike Lee is reading this blog.
Glad to have you join us in this particular trivial pursuit, John. You are right that there would be absolutely no reason to remake the classic Gone With the Wind, particularly, as benedict points out, since you'd have to rewrite the slave roles and eliminate the general racism. Whatever we could do today, there would never be a better player than Hattie McDaniel as Mammy, nor than Butterfly McQueen as Prissy. Yet there are so many more black actors and actresses on the Hollywood scene that I have no doubt the roles could be filled.
I think the whiteface angle is a hoot.
Please excuse my typo's of Brett Rutler instead of Rhett Butler.My mind has been on more deeper thoughts lately...How did we forget George Clooney, Miss FF, he's the one alright.
Maybe Oprah would be a good choice for
Butterfly McQueen.
I thought of Oprah for Mammy -- surely you're thinking of Mammy, Robin -- but decided now that she's young and glamorous, she's no longer the type. Whoopi Goldberg could do it, but almost certainly wouldn't. As for Prissy, the little slave girl who didn't know nothin' bout birthin' babies, I'm sure there is an unknown youngster out there just waiting for her big chance to be in our movie. We'd have to issue a Hollywood-type casting call to find her.
Of course Miss FF, I was meaning Mammy.My mind is in Neverland.
Speaking of weird typos, Robin. I, who have seen GWTW at least 4 times from beginning to end, and whose culture is awash in its images from Aunt Pittypat to the Tarleton twins (one of them was George Reeves; there's a role for Ben Affleck!), look at the comment I myself made earlier naming Scarlett O'Hara Charlotte. Forgive me, I must have had Charlize Theron on the brain!
You left out the obvious choice for Scarlett O'Hara: Catherine Zeta-Jones. She is a great foil for George Clooney, and she can even stomp her foot and flash her eyes. I've seen her do it!
Ah, and then we could get Michael Douglas for the Thomas Mitchell role...
Should they use Hollywood actors for this film? I believe that a public casting call could bring in many more Scarlett O'Hara possiblities, and although there will NEVER be another Clark Cable (he's the best), there are plenty out there more suitable for this role than many of the actors we could name to play the part of Captain Butler.
Who would you want for Rhett in the international talent pool, Anonymous? Hugh Grant? Russell Crowe?
I don't think any one we could find would be better for the role than Clooney. Rhett is an extremely American type...not that foreigners can't be convincing as Americans -- look at the guy who plays House! Actually he would be an interesting Rhett.
I don't see the remake happening in the near future, but it's fun to play with. What are your ideas for casting?
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