Anne Hathaway can sing. She proved that at this year’s Oscars. But can she Judy Garland sing? As we reported earlier today, the Oscar nominee has signed on to play the legendary star in stage and screen adaptations of Gerald Clarke’s 2001 biography Get Happy: The Life of Judy Garland. (The Weinstein Company has optioned rights for both theater and movie adaptations.) The project is only in the nascent stages, so there’s no start date, writer, or director.
Still, Hathaway’s name is bound to get the phones ringing at the Weinstein Co. this afternoon. The announcement certainly got my attention. For one, it’s pretty rare that an actor signs up for a multi-platform extravaganza like this one. The logistics alone are enough to make an agent’s head explode. And taking on one of the most iconic performers of the 20th century is certainly a bold move on young Ms. Hathaway’s part. Let’s not forget that Judy Davis played Garland to Emmy-winning perfection eight years ago in the TV miniseries, Life With Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows. But with a good script — or rather, scripts — and the right director, Hathaway could knock our socks off with this one. She even sort of looks like Garland.
What do you think? Can Hathaway do justice to Liza’s mama? Who should direct? While you’re mulling that over, click below to watch Garland sing "Get Happy" in 1950′s Summer Stock.
I know she can sing the part; I’ve seen Ella Enchanted. But I don’t think she looks the part. Isn’t she about eight inches taller than Judy Garland was?
No. I wish Hollywood would stop stuffing her down our throats. I’d rather an unknown tackle this one, if it has to be done.
This puts a kabash on my dream of Wicked: The Movie with Anne and Kristen Bell, doesn’t it? I don’t see her doing musicals back to back.
It’s gonna be hard to top the great Tammy Blanchard and Judy Davis who wowed me in Me and My Shadow
HELL to the NO!
Singing wise NO, she just doesn’t have the voice. Acting wise she could pull it off. If they dubbed Judy’s voice for Anne’s then I think it could work.
Not a chance in HELL. There was only one Judy. No one can due her justice.
I’ve got goosebumps just thinking about it. The person who hired her really is food at their job. This is going to be a great one, methinks.
Rob Marshall, who directed “Chicago” and “Dreamgirls,” may be a no-brainer, but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be an outstanding choice for the project anyhow. He gets my bid. Or, and this is just wild speculation…what if Liza were to do it? That could add all sorts of fascinating (horrifying?) levels to the project.
(By the way, is it too early to start the inevitable Oscar speculation a project like this will receive? If so, I don’t care. You go and get yourself a little golden guy, Anne!)
I’m not sure how I feel about this. “Me and My Shadows” was fantastic, and Tammy Blanchard and Judy Davis were downright scary (especially Davis) because they looked and sounded so much like Judy. Both truly inhabited her. I like Anne, but I’m not so sure she’s got the vocal chops to be a powerhouse like Judy, not to mention that Judy was 4’11″ whereas Anne is like what, 5’7″? Judy is one of my idols, and I think Judy Davis was too perfect in the role, honestly. That mini-series is still too fresh in my mind for Anne to try to tackle Judy.
I think Anne Hathaway is a good performer, but I agree with the others about Me and My Shadows being relatively new. Tammy Blanchard and Judy Davis were Judy, and Im not sure Anne can do as good of a job.
No, no no. Very bad idea. Anne Hathaway is not Judy Garland. Judy Davis was an amazing choice- she could be recast? And Anne Hathaway is probably a fortune because of the Oscars and it would be a shame to see other parts of the film neglected. I read the book, a couple of times, and I thought it would make a great movie and I hope it does. I hope I’m wrong but I don’t think she has the passion to pull it off.
She’ll be great
They should’ve cast Rufus Wainwright or Erin McKeown, both amazing performers that are obsessed with Judy.
being the best actress that she is,i think miss hathaway can do just about any role she wants. and that lovely face of hers. o. my gosh, she takes my breath away. and that’s a good thing, isn’t it?
As others have mentioned, Tammy Blanchard/Judy Davis both did an incredible job in Me and My Shadow… but I think Anne Hathaway can really pull this off. I have faith!