All-Black STEEL MAGNOLIAS Film In The Works

[Jordan Catalano]

http://broadwayworld.com/article/Kenny-Leon-to-Direct-STEEL-MAGNOLIAS-Remake-Featuring-All-Black-Cast-20111011


WHAT. A. STUPID. F'IN. IDEA. What's the point?? The original film is (in it's own way) iconic so why remake it (with an all-this or and all-that cast or anything)? Hey Kenny, if you want a film to showcase the talents of 7 talented black actresses, how about WRITING SOMETHING ORIGINAL?

[Gothampc]

M'Lynn - Viola Davis
Truvy - Loretta Devine
Ouiser - Whoopi Goldberg
Clairee - Phylicia Rashad
Shelby - Anika Noni Rose
Annelle - Erica Hubbard

[AC126748]

While I agree with Jordan that I'd rather see six talented women of color in a new work, Goth's cast isn't half bad.

[Jordan Catalano]

That cast is like FOR COLORED GIRLS 2: WHEN THE MAGNOLIAS AREN'T STEEL ENUF

[themysteriousgrowl]

All I know is black people DEFINITELY don't talk like that in the South. You can take that to the bank.

[somethingwicked]

Remember that this is a television movie for Lifetime, not a feature film.

While most of the (well cast) women on your list are very much within the realm of possibility, Gothampc, I don't see Viola Davis being one of them, as phenomenal as she'd be.

[E.Davis]

As much as I think this an interesting idea, they original is too iconic.

[Bettyboy72]

WTF? What's with all the remakes? Aren't there any talented god d@#ned writers in the universe. Write some new s@#t!

This movie is a legend. LEAVE IT ALONE!

NO!!!!!

[ChiChi]

I have to agree. I get really sick of "An all THIS cast" or "And all THIS cast." If they REALLY have to do this, I think it would be a nice change if it was a mix of ethnicities. Doing it the other way is just so segregating.

[SNAFU]

It is not that there aren't original writers out there with new stuff , the problem is the Producers. They want to be sure to spend money on things they know people will identify with and not lose money. Even made for TV movies are as expensive as hell to make and the money people don't want to lose cash.

[Bettyboy72]

Well producers are morons then. Dont they realize that people will go see new works if they are brilliant and well produced. Find fresh talent and make new things happen. Its the same thing they do on Broadway-mounting known quantity titles, most of which end up failing.

Most of these remakes dont make that much money.

[Donthatecongratulate]

it was bad with white people, and it's going to be bad with black people.

[Play Esq.]

This could work.

Capitalized histrionic statements aside, I for one think a great cast could make this a worthwhile project.

Goth: I would see your cast, in anyway shape or form, in a heartbeat.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

I'll totally watch it. I mean, I own the dvd and all, and I totally queened out over it when it came out when I was in ninth grade, but I really don't look at it as some sacrosanct piece of art. Also, years later when I was watching the the movie and its special features on the dvd, the whole affair started to seem a little mawkish to me. I know he based it on his sister and all, but it just seemed like overkill to know they shot the movie in the actual hospital where she died and had actual nurses who had been there as extras and stuff. Shelby's life seems a lot less romantic to me now and just a lot more foolish and deliberately wasted.

But I will say that the thought of Loretta Devine as Truvy could make me queen out like I did when I was 14.

Also, I was in an all-male production once, and there's just no taking it seriously after that.

Oh! Paula Patton as Shelby! That's my vote.

[Jordan Catalano]

Let's not forget this is a tv movie. So...think "TV Stars". Keisha Knight-Pullliman as Shelby, Marla Gibbs as M'Lynn and Jackee as Ouiser.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Two seconds ago, a friend of mine also suggested Jackee. Maybe as Clairee? Loretta Devine still works for a tv movie. And I think Paula Patton would come cheap.

And I don't know if you are kidding or not about Keisha Knight-Pullium, but she'd be great! Have you seen her? She grew up redonkulously beautiful.

I think Marla Gibbs would be a better Ouiser. I think Angela Basset would be a good M'Lynn. I'm sure she'd do tv.

Haters gonna hate, but I want this to happen so bad.

[undercoveractor]

Just my opinion, but I am tired of seeing 'all black casts' of shows originally conceived differently. The fantastic actresses discussed in this thread should absolutely be working and working in material up to their talents, but just adapting material to fit a specific race does not work for me. My personal feeling is that if you want to feature a group of actors of one race, or speak to a specific racial experience then WRITE A NEW PIECE THAT SPEAKS TO THAT!

[Jordan Catalano]

Keisha did grow up VERY well. Even as a crack ho in MADEA GOES TO JAIL, she was beautiful.

An I would like to hear Jackee say "Ouiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiser"

[Play Esq.]

Why? Why not just use that same piece?

This ain't Shakespeare...oh wait, there too reversed casting is used (read: not just color-blind). And seriously: if you don't like it, don't watch it. Will I be seeing this season's "Streetcar"? Proabably not, unless I read something worthwhile about the production. Did I enjoy some of the performances in the recent ""Cat on A Hot Tin Roof"? Yes.

The point: you have a choice. It's F'in LIFETIME for crying out loud! Get me a good cast, and I'm there. Otherwise, I won't waste the time finding the channel. (My choice.)

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

I feel like this being Lifetime, Jill Scott may wind up making an appearance.

[Jordan Catalano]

And Meredith Baxter in blackface.

[dreaming]

Does anyone else think Oprah might be tapped for one of the roles? (Truvy?)

[blacktie]

M'Lynn Eatenton (Phylicia Rashad/Angela Bassett/Oprah Winfrey/Lynn Whitfield/ Sheryl Lee Ralph)

Truvy Jones (Jackee Harry/Jenifer Lewis/Niecy Nash/Regina King/Taraji P. Henson)

Ouiser Boudreaux (Jenifer Lewis/ Anna Deavere Smith/ C. C. H. Pounder)

Annelle Dupuy –Desoto (Tasha Smith/Paula Jai Parker/Paula Patton)

Clairee Belcher (Phylicia Rashad)

Shelby Eatenton Latcherie (Patina Miller/Montego Glover/Brandy Norwood/Tamera Mowry/Keisha Knight Pulliam)

Drum Eatenton (Delroy Lindo/Glynn Turman/Danny Glover)

Spud Jones (Mykelti Williamson/Rockmond Dunbar)

Jackson Latcherie (RonReaco Lee/Keith Robinson/Derek Luke/Cory Hardrict)

[SonofRobbieJ]

Considering the first film is kinda terrible, I'm all for trying anything that might make this story the least bit interesting.

I have never...NOT ONCE...been moved by this story. Maybe an all-black cast might change that. I like to cry over black women, so here's to hoping.

[Gothampc]

Fun trivia fact: Steel Magnolias has already been on tv. They tried to do a Steel Magnolias tv series. Elaine Stritch was Ouiser, Cindy Williams was M'Lynn, Sally Kirkland was Truvy, Polly Bergen was Clairee. I remember seeing the pilot episode and thought it was horrible.

I think some of you don't like the show because the movie was mediocre. (Sorry, but Julia Roberts can't act. And I remember thinking her epileptic and Sally's "Drink your juice, Shelby" were funny when they shouldn't have been.)

The show works very well onstage when you have wonderful actresses.

[Jordan Catalano]

"Sorry, but Julia Roberts can't act"

Was that something you came up with on your own or did Fox news do a piece on that so it's now what you believe?

And if I didn't despise you enough before as the insignificant miniscule maggot puss filled scum feeding off the lowest form of shlt on the planet, I hate you even more now.