Scarlett Johansson and Jeremy Renner to star in revival of A Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

[alfgiotir]

According to his recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Jeremy Renner may star in a Broadway revival of "A Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" with Scarlett Johansson. Has anyone else heard more information about this?

"The actor may do a run on Broadway of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with his Avengers co-star Johansson, but only if Ridley Scott doesn’t hire him for his upcoming The Counselor."


The Hollywood Reporter Interview

[Jordan Catalano]

Oh, good. A third revival in the past 10 years is just what we need.

[Idiot]

I'd stand in line to watch Renner butter toast.

[EricMontreal22]

Renner is *great* casting, and Scarlett could probably do well, but isn't there another Williams' they could try? What happened to Sweet Bird of Youth with Franco or whatever, or howabotu Orpheus Descending, two of my faves (admittedly they're more "troubled" plays than Cat, and I didn't think the last few revivals were all that good, but...)

[CATSNYrevival]

Another one?!? It's a good play, but c'mon...

[peachesr82]

While I agree, we don't really need another revival of this, I think Renner is superb and would happily watch him read the phonebook.

[dreaming]

I think both would be perfect, but surely there is something else these two can do. (I want to see Johansson back on stage and Renner would be nice, too.

[best12bars]

They should just dedicate one Broadway theatre solely to revivals of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Gyspy.

The Gyspy Cat Theatre

[Jordan Catalano]

Maybe we can get John Goodman and Roseanne To reunite as the "Big's".

[TalkinLoud]

While I understand the sentiment, these two actors are absolutely perfect for these roles.

[henrikegerman]

Jordan, that's only half funny.

John Goodman as Big Daddy is a brilliant idea. Couldn't be better.

[Michael Bennett]

I actually wouldn't mind seeing these two in a major film adaptation. True we have almost as many of those as we do Broadway revivals, but the original of course is only a suggestion of Williams' original play, and both the Natalie Wood and Jessica Lange television productions are flawed either by some off casting and or stage bound cinematography.

I think a really first rate film with these stars and a first rate director (Mike Nichols?) could be hot hot hot

[Jordan Catalano]

Totally agree with that, MB. Plus, I really only like Williams' plays on stage if it's an all "something" cast.

[dreaming]

John Goodman would be absolutely brilliant! I'd go see that!

How about Kathy Bates as Big Mama?

[Michael Bennett]

For me the only 'all' Williams needs to work on stage is a great cast and a great director. To be honest, even though we've had a half a dozen revivals of this, its been a long time since we've had a great production on Broadway (arguably all the way back to the 1976 Elizabeth Ashley revival).

[Jordan Catalano]

I know I'm probably biased being Ashley Judd's biggest fan, but I loved that '03 production...

[Michael Bennett]

I'm sorry Jordan, but that production was truly awful (save Ned Beatty) and Ashley Judd was just in over her head. I'm assuming you were very young and so I will forgive you for your earnest admiration of it.

[Jordan Catalano]

Lol. No, not that young. 25. But I thought she was great. When I get home I'm going to watch it and prove myself right.

[Michael Bennett]

You could just as easily sit and watch paint dry. I've seen women in college productions give better performances than Ashley Judd did. She should have just stood on stage while Elizabeth Ashley read all her lines from an off stage microphone.

[Jordan Catalano]

How dare you, Sir.

HOW. DARE. YOU.

[Michael Bennett]

I would much rather have watched the backstage drama of that production, which sounds worthy of a Tennessee Williams play itself.
Jason Patric calls out his catty co-star

[AC126748]

I thought that Patric's comments were tasteless, especially since Beatty was criticized so heavily when he said negative things about Judd AND Patric.

Patric was a lot more inept than Judd, in my opinion, though I found neither ideally cast. Ned Beatty and Margo Martindale were the best part of that production, and I think the only reason Beatty wasn't nominated was because of the comments he made during the run.

For the record, John Goodman did play Big Daddy in LA opposite Brenda Fricker as Big Mama.

[SondheimFan5]

Goodman would be sensational. Or George Wendt.

[dreaming]

Now that I think about it, another excellent Big Mama would be Rondi Reed.

[Michael Bennett]

Ned's comments were a little blunt, but accurate:

Mr. Beatty said of Ms. Judd: 'She is a sweetie, and yet she doesn't have a whole lot of tools. But she works very hard.'

And of Mr. Patric: 'He's gotten better all the time, but his is a different journey.'

John Goodman is so perfect for the role on paper, but he didn't get great reviews in Los Angeles; most felt he just didn't have the dramatic heft to pull it off - 'one note' was a common complaint. Perhaps with a stronger director he'd be better.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

I know there was just a revival of this, but after watching Johansson's mesmerizing (Tony-winning) turn in A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE I'd really love to see her tackle some Williams (it'll be great if she did a Miller, Williams and an O'Neill after that). Renner as Brick is inspired casting, he'd be a gazillion miles better than the wooden Terrence Howard.
And I couldn't agree more with you re a CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF film, MichaelBennett. Though I'd go a little unconventional and have John Cameron Mitchell direct, his work on RABBIT HOLE was perfection.