We guess tomorrow really is another day. Next month, St. Martin’s Press plans to publish a prequel to Gone With the Wind that’s fully authorized by the Margaret Mitchell estate. This is only the second official spinoff of GWTW, following Alexandra Ripley’s widely castigated 1992 novel Scarlett. And this one is all about Rhett — or, as the title says, Rhett Butler’s People. Donald McCaig, who wrote the Civil War novel Jacob’s Ladder, has supposedly been toiling on it for 12 years.
But the new book got us to wondering about the inevitable film adaptation — or, as was the case with Scarlett, the TV miniseries. (By the way, that one featured Timothy Dalton as Rhett and Joanne Whalley-Kilmer, as she was then known, in the title role.) Which contemporary actors would you cast as America’s ultimate star-crossed lovers, Rhett Butler and Scarlett O’Hara? The poll lines are open…
George Clooney as Rhett – that’s easy. Clooney has his own self confident sexiness that he wouldn’t have to “pretend” to be Rhett. It would come naturally.
Scarlett? You’d have to get an unknown. There is no known young actress that exudes charisma and charm like Vivian Leigh. Besides, if it’s an established star, I’d be comparing her the whole time to the original Scarlett.
Clooney and Ashley Judd. But an unknown would work too.
Stephanie, you totally got to my suggestion first. The first two people that immediately came to mind were George Clooney and Ashley Judd. I’ve long thought they would be able to play the characters if (shudder) there was ever a remake made of the original movie (which happens to be my all-time favorite film ever). But, if it’s a GWTW-prequel, does that mean Scarlett will have a part?
Jessica Simpson and Tom Cruise.
it is surprising to see how well this story has developed. along with the new GWTW musical, this book seems to be heralding the return of the antiquitated, pompous soap.
george clooney and a freshly botoxed nicole kidman with her hair dyed dark.
Hhmm, George Clooney! I have never thought of him before, but he would be damn perfect. I can’t even think of anyone else who would have Rhett’s good looks, but be all man at the same time. You could also go for Clive Owen, or someone of that category. Still really attractive, but not tradtionally so. I have the same problem with a Scarlett casting. You want someone pretty & feminine, but with harsh features. So, when I think of the pretty actresses with acting chops, Keira Knightley, Natalie Portman, Kate Beckinsale, I feel they are too soft featured. Maybe Angelina Jolie…she could embody Vivien Leigh’s both frail, smallness and her cold, vixen appeal. I love Gone with the Wind, and feel it was perfectly cast. I’d be real wary to see it cast today! Though, it may be nice to get a little more of the sex in the movie that’s in the book!
You all forget that this is a PREquel, which means the characters are younger than Scarlett and Rhett at the beginning of GWTW. So Scarlett is probably a teenager and Rhett is probably 20s or 30s. So for Rhett becase of the youth I nominate Michael Rosenbaum (Lex on Smallville) with some scruff and hair added appropriately of course. I think the girl who won America’s Next Top Model a few years ago, Yoanna, has the look but she’s probably taller than Lex Luthor, so that doesn’t work. Perhaps Mischa Barton could really stretch to pull off a spoiled brat like Scarlett? smirk.
Justin Chambers for Rhett (man, that would be so good!), and maybe Julia Stiles as Scarlett.
George Clooney is truly the only acceptable Rhett/Gable subsitute. I don’t care if he’s supposed to be younger. We’ll live. If forced to go younger, I’d have to say Matthew MacFadyen, the 2005 Mr. Darcy.
Sorry ya’ll, … at the beginning of GWTW Scarlett was 16 near Atlanta, if this was about Rhett (who grew up in Charleston) – she won’t be making an appearance. And anyone who thinks Clooney can pull off a Clark Gable is completely off-base – you need someone to be smooth AND sharp-witted at the same time (Clooney is too smooth in my book). Jonathan Rhys-Myers would be my first choice for a young Rhett.
Putting Southern authenticity aside:
Rhett – Gerard Butler, Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes, Eric Bana. I don’t think Clooney would work. He’s too much of a “nice” guy
Scarlett – Marion Coitillard, Carice van Houten, Ashley Judd, Mary Louise Parker, Evangeline Lilly
Ashley – Patrick Wilson, Ryan Gosling
I don’t see any current actors or actresses living up to Vivien Leigh or Clark Gable. Maybe Clooney, but I wish we’d leave it alone, personally.
Clearly, Britney Spears is begging to be cast in the role of Scarlett. Or am I thinking of the role of Belle Watling.
Carrie is right-LEAVE IT ALONE!!