Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast

[MusicMan93]

I have been wondering lately who would make a good cast for a film version of the musical. I was thinking Jeremy Jordan as Joe, Jonathan Pryce as Max, & Patti Lupone as Norma. Unfortunately I dont think that Patti would actually get cast in a film version because she isn't that well known in Hollywood. Any thoughts? Good cast or the worst? Who's in your dream cast?

[CATSNYrevival]

Have you not read Patti's book? There's no way she would ever be in a movie of Sunset Boulevard. As far as I know she hasn't even spoken to Webber since that whole debacle. Plus, you're right. They would definitely want a Hollywood name.

[broadwaybabywannabe2]

ok don't laugh...
in my old thoughts:

BABS...as NORMA
HUGH JACKMAN..JOE
BEN KINGSLY...MAX

but i have changed that to now put

MERYL STREEP...as NORMA
HUGH JACKMAN...JOE
fill in the blank...MAX

[Mister Matt]

I always wanted to see Liza as Norma, but I'm afraid it's just too late now. Either Amy Adams or Anne Hathaway would make wonderful Betty Shaeffers.

[alxscrz2]

I would Love to see Cher as Norma. I think she would sing those songs and act that role like no other

[Adam Chris]

Joe: Ewan McGregor
Betty: Amy Adams
Norma: Glenn Close (ok, maybe, Meryl Streep)
Max: Yule Brynner (what? he's dead? damn!)

[MusicMan93]

@CATSNYrevival - Bummer, no I have never read her book.
@broadwaybabywannabe2 - I wouldn't mind Babs being Norma. I'm not so sure about Meryl though, she is a great actress but I don't think she really has the right voice for the part. I love the thought of Hugh Jackman as Joe, he is amazing! But would he be too old to play Joe?
@Mister Matt - Amy Adams would be great as Betty!
@alxscrz2 - I'm not really a fan of Cher so I would be a little hesitant if they chose her. But she does have that superstar quality like Norma which might make her a good fit.
@Adam Chris - Thats a good line up! I would have loved to see Yul as Max!

[sondheimfan2]

Though there are probably several threads on this topic already ...

Max: Stanley Tucci

[qolbinau]

I love the concept of famous aged actresses reaching the end of their career (e.g. Liza Minnelli, Stresiand etc.) doing this as their final, acclaimed role. Can a director keep Liza under control for the film and a computer/drugs help her sing just one take of the score good enough?

[AEA AGMA SM]

I'd like to see a Norma who's actually around the right age, in her early 50s, not pushing 70 or more. Remember that Max flat out says when they met (i.e. her first movie) she was 16.

[123musicalfan]

Elena Roger said in an interview once that she would like to play Norma.

Norma - Elena Roger
Joe - ricky Martin
Max - Michael Cerveris
Betty - Rachel Potter
Artie - Max Von Essen

but my dream Cast would be

Norma - Elaine Paige
Joe - Ramin Karimloo
Max - George Hearn/Michael Crawford
Betty - Sierra Boggess/Connie Fisher

and maybe Nathan Lane as (I forget his name) the salesman in The Ladies Paying

[Princeton Returns]

Norma - Catherine Zeta Jones (ok might need to wait 5 - 10 years to be age appropriate)

The other roles would depend on who is age appropriate when CZJ is

[henrikegerman]

Michelle Pfeiffer or Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as Norma
Matt Bomer as Joe
Paul Sorvino as Max
Zooey Deschanel as Betty

[Dave19]

Betty: Amy Adams

Norma: Madonna

Joe: Richard Fleeshman

[Bettyboy72]

I believe this is a role Glenn Close was born to play. I also think it would finally get her an Oscar. She would nail the role.

Glenn, whose box office draw has waned, could be paired with Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway to drum up interest.

Glenn would be thrilling. She'd act the s@#t out of this role.

[Broadwayhunk]

Ann Margaret as Norma. Hey, she still looks good, and she can act.

Hugh Jackman, of course, for Joe.

[benjaminnyc]

there is only ONE Norma Desmond for me.

Her name is GLENN CLOSE.

[henrikegerman]

Gloria Swanson circa Sunset Boulevard was young enough to be the daughter of some of the women suggested for Norma on this thread.

[Patash]

"I'd like to see a Norma who's actually around the right age, in her early 50s, not pushing 70 or more."

I'm not sure to whom you are referring. Patti Lupone was 46 when she was doing it. Betty Buckley was 46 also. Glen Close was 47 when she did it on Broadway. And Gloria Swanson was 50 when she made the film. (I may be off by a year as I didn't check actual months).

[BrodyFosse123]

Ann Margaret as Norma. Hey, she still looks good, and she can act.

With all due respect, Ann-Margret is already 70 years old. Gloria Swanson was 49 when SUNSET BLVD. was filmed and the character of Norma Desmond is 50 years old -- it is even mentioned in the screenplay.

I'm always amused how everyone assumes Norma Desmond is a crazy OLD lady.

Also, Webber has already stated that he is interested in filming SUNSET BLVD. as a semi-"live" video production, like CATS was. Not as a feature motion picture. I'm sure he's contemplating a limited theatrical showing similar to what was done to LOVE NEVER DIES.

[henrikegerman]

^I think it's pretty clear AEA meant someone around the age of Close, Lupone or Buckley when they played the role on stage or Swanson when she did the film. Rather than someone around the age of Close, Lupone, Buckley, Cher, Streisand or Ann-Margret now.

[Wildcard]

Don't know if they can sing but…

Norma - Tilda Swinton/Cate Blanchett
Joe - Armie Hammer/Chris Pine
Betty - Gemma Arterton/Rachel McAdams

[Broadwayhunk]

I really don't care what ALW thinks, the question was a dream cast, and IMHO the part could be re-written with just a few tweaks to make it older than 50 and perhaps set it in the sixties instead of 1950. 50 is not the same as it once was when this was first filmed, and the existing screenplay is hardly written in stone. As for filming it like a live taping, that idea sucks big time, but it is not surprising coming from a hack.

[EricMontreal22]

I know Monty Clift was originally considered for Joe--and he was only 31 (though, while only two years older, Holden IMHo reads older than Monty did back in the early 50s pre accident), but Joe should be starting to be just past his prime IMHO--Armie Hammer is way too young IMHO. When I saw the Canadian stage production when I was 15 with Diahann Carroll (who was perfect, but admittedly 60), Rex Smith played the role--he was 40.

I think the ages could be bumped up slightly from the movie, partly just because, while it is set in '51 many audiences read actors as younger than they did back then...

[Bettyboy72]

I'm sorry but Swanson looked older than 50 in the flick. Close and others look damn good for their ages. They'd be fine in the role.

[JulesReverie]

Norma Desmond: Annette Benning or Michelle Phiefer
Max: Kelsey Grammer or Mandy Patinkin
Joe: Collin Donnell or Aaron Tveit
Betty: Alison Bree