Even though I wish they would leave it alone, or at the very least get a different director than Rob Marshall, it would appear the remake of the 1934 comedy/mystery classic The Thin Man is continuing to move forward with Johnny Depp in the lead role as Nick Charles, a former detective who, along with his rich, playful wife Nora, end up solving a murder case mostly for the fun of it.
The original was the first in a series of films featuring William Powell and Myrna Loy in the lead roles based on the 1932 novel by Dashiell Hammett and if you haven’t seen it you simply must. If the only reason you liked The Artist was for the dog then be sure and watch The Thin Man, which has a story even more enduring than its lovable canine co-star.
With Depp in line for the lead, Deadline.com tells us Rob Marshall is preparing meetings for next week in which eight actresses are under consideration for the co-starring role and I have put together something of a “Tale of the Tape” scenario offering a few bits and bobs about all eight actresses, after which I ask you… Which one would you cast?
Before we get started, I included the age and height of each young lady based on their IMDb profiles for comparison to their would-be co-star, Johnny Depp who is currently 48-years-old and comes in at 5′ 10″. That said, all of the ladies considered are shorter and younger than Depp, one of which is actually less than half his age.
The one name not on the shortlist and I have to wonder if she was ever considered and merely passed or what the deal is, is Marion Cotillard, who looks strikingly similar to Loy (as evidenced in Public Enemies) and, I think, would make for a great co-star. That said, when considering the eight actresses below, don’t think of them merely based on their looks in comparison to Loy, consider their past performances and their ability to capture some of that comedic wit and spunk Loy had in the original, which, again, if you haven’t seen it, you simply must.
Amy Adams
AGE: 37
HEIGHT: 5′ 4″
Amy Adams clearly has done her work in the comedy sector, but this is a role about more than just comedy, it’s about status, wit and elegance. Adams can pull all of these off and I imagine she’ll be among the favorites when it comes to casting. The one potential drawback is Adams hasn’t necessarily played a woman of status recently, frequently playing everyday members of society as of late. Will they believe her as a high society type or will it come across too comical?
Emily Blunt
AGE: 29
HEIGHT: 5′ 7½”
I love Emily Blunt as evidenced from my recent reviews of Salmon Fishing in the Yemen and The Adjustment Bureau. Put her opposite anyone with even the remotest bit of talent and she’ll turn it into a believable relationship. As for this role, I think she could do it in her sleep, but I’m not sure I see her in a relationship with Depp. In fact, I think Depp is all wrong for this role, but we must make with what we are given. I wonder, though, would Blunt outshine Depp?
Isla Fisher
AGE: 36
HEIGHT: 5′ 3″
Isla Fisher I also like for this role, although not as much as Blunt. I think Blunt brings a bit more stature compared to Fisher’s pep and great smile.
Eva Green
AGE: 32
HEIGHT: 5′ 6″
Now here’s a woman with stature, Eva Green can pull off the elegance of Nora without a hitch, but we haven’t seen much from her on the comedic side of things. One advantage she has is starring opposite Depp in Dark Shadows in a role that may put on display some dark comedy, but perhaps their rumored off screen chemistry will play a part.
Carey Mulligan
AGE: 26 (27 in May)
HEIGHT: 5′ 7″
This one I just don’t see at all. Mulligan is a bit too mousy for this role in my opinion. She’s quietly elegant and doesn’t come off as strong in her performances as I think this role calls for… that is if they are hewing at all close to the original.
Emma Stone
AGE: 23
HEIGHT: 5′ 6″
While I actually think this is a perfect role for Stone, I think she may be too young opposite Depp. I imagine she would come off as more of a younger sister rather than a wife of several years. There’s a sense of togetherness between Nick and Nora, a sense of years lived together and I think some of that could be lost based on appearances alone between Stone and Depp.
Rachel Weisz
AGE: 42
HEIGHT: 5′ 7″
Weisz is an interesting addition. She can definitely do both comedy and status and I think she would look good opposite Depp.
Kristen Wiig
AGE: 38
HEIGHT: 5′ 5″
This could be the most interesting pick of them all. It could also be the riskiest. Should Wiig land this role and pull it off I don’t think there is anywhere here career couldn’t go. She’s clearly got comedic chops and in Friends with Kids we saw it didn’t always have to be sight gags and Bridesmaids showed she had a little bit of range. I can even imagine her opposite Depp in this role and would be very curious to see how it played out.
After looking it over, without reading a script, seeing auditions or knowing exactly which way they were planning on taking the film, it’s hard coming to a decision. I think both Adams and Blunt would be great, but perhaps opposite someone else (Matt Damon comes to mind). The more I think about it I also really like Isla Fisher for the part. Weisz would probably be the safest pick, Wiig probably the riskiest.
I guess I’d probably say Fisher would be my pick, but after this little exercise I don’t envy Marshall or his partners for having to make the decision. How about you? Who would you prefer to see in the role of Nora and which actresses aren’t on the shortlist that you wish were? Maybe Kate Winslet? Elizabeth Banks? Zooey Deschanel? Rachel McAdams? Mila Kunis? Or maybe Diane Kruger?
[poll id = “245”]
