So yesterday on the radio I heard they were remaking a very favorite of mine.  My Fair Lady.  I’m not sure because I didn’t look it up, even though I meant to, but I don’t think it is a modern adaptation.  But the point of this story is this.

I heard on the radio that casting agents are pushing hard to recast the fabulous Henry Higgins, one of my favorite characters of all time.  It’s not hard to have a soft spot for a character that retains the charactaristics that make him unique and different even after falling in love.  When I was a kid I hated the end of that movie.  But now I love it because it’s true to Henry Higgins’ character.  We know he loves her, he knows he loves her and she knows he loves her.  Who cares if he says it.  I suspect he will eventually.  He just needs to get his mind around the idea of saying it outloud and putting himself at that much of a disadvantage.

The original Henry Higgins was played by the indomitable Rex Harrison.  Oh, how I love him.  And Rex was  a hottie as a young man.  In fact, he wasn’t so bad as an old man.

Now I understand that the two men neck and neck for this part in remake are Brad Pitt and George Clooney.  Oh, dear God, and I mean that as a prayer.  Brad Pitt and George Clooney?  Why not just cast Prince or a woman, instead?

I will admit that both look decently like Henry Higgins might.  However, neither one of them are stellar actors.  I submit to you Meet Joe Black and Batman.  Ouch.

Why not use an English actor.  What’s up with all the Americans?  I have no desire to watch Brad Pitt butcher an English accent.  He’ll need the same kind of lessons as Eliza Doolittle before he can do the part.

Here’s my suggestions for casting.  I’m sure there are tons of English actors who would step up in a part like this.  But allow me to suggest…

Colin Firth

Colin is a wonderful actor who, we already know, excels at acting imperious.  I love him in almost everything he does and look, he’s English.

Kenneth Branagh

Kenneth is famous for his Shakespeare and he looks right too.  He’s also famous for having once been married to Emma Thompson the nutty oracle reader in the Harry Potter movies among others.

Heck, I’d even suggest Sting

He’s an actor, he’s English, he’s freaking hot, and he’s old enough to be Henry Higgins.  And he can sing.

I’m sure there’s a ton of people I haven’t even thought of.  Got any suggestions?  Ones that aren’t Brad Pitt and George Clooney?

AJ