Image Credit: Everett Collection
On Tuesday, news broke that a period piece about actress Grace Kelly may soon be in the works. The script, titled Grace of Monaco and written by Arash Amel, reportedly focuses on Kelly’s life during a politically-charged six-month period in 1962 and is aiming to be compared to last year’s Best Picture winner The King’s Speech.
Despite a relatively short acting career, Kelly is one in a class of iconic actresses from Hollywood’s golden age. After starring opposite Gary Cooper in High Noon, she caught the attention of director Alfred Hitchcock and starred in three of his films — Dial M for Murder, Rear Window and To Catch a Thief — before retiring from acting at the age of 26 after she met and married Prince Rainier III of Monaco. Hitchcock attempted to replicate his star in subsequent films, to varying degrees of success, which contributed to the phrase “Hitchcock Blonde” and to the subtext of 1958′s Vertigo, in which Jimmy Stewart’s character creepily tries to remake a woman in the image of his lost blonde love.
Much like Michelle Williams in the upcoming My Week With Marilyn, whoever steps into the role will have daunting — and gorgeous — shoes to fill. (The Hollywood Reporter first broke the news about the film.) Charlize Theron seemed to be accepting a proverbial torch in September when she appeared alongside Kelly, Marilyn Monroe and Marlene Dietrich — thanks to CG wizardry — in an advertisement for Dior. On the other hand, Theron may not have the timeless grandeur of say, Nicole Kidman. Or perhaps January Jones, whose Betty Draper Francis on Mad Men seems inspired by Kelly’s iconic look? Is this the perfect opportunity for Gwyneth Paltrow to become a leading lady again? Or a next-generation A-lister like Scarlett Johansson?
What do you think Popwatchers? Are you excited to see Grace Kelly on screen again, even if only in spirit? Check out Charlize’s Dior commercial below and let us know in the comments who you think should play the role.
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January Jones? No. Just no. Any producer who even considers her or whispers her name anywhere near this project needs to be fired.
People need to stop giving January Jones work, it’s just embarrassing.
I couldn’t agree more!
You sound fat.
I was beginning to think I was the only one to notice she can’t act. It’s painful to watch, actually.
Margot Robbie! Not only does she look like Grace she is acts with grace.
No January Jones. Heavens NO. Let’s get an actual ‘actress’ for this. Charlize is fine. Nicole Kidman is good. Melissa George. Naomi Watts. But they’re all in their late 30′s/early 40′s. But who cares? In Grace Kelly’s era, even the girls in their 20′s looked like they were in their 30′s or 40′s. Everyone looked older back then. Maybe how they dressed? Mannerisms? I am shocked to learn that Grace Kelly was only 26 when she got married. She seemed older. More Mature.
So I would think a more seasoned actress. Not some ingenue.
Amy Adams would be interesting. Or an unknown.
Naomi Watts is a good call! Although she perhaps seems a little too ‘real’ to play Grace Kelly. I think Nicole Kidman and Charlize Theron would be terrible ideas, though. They just don’t feel right for the part. At all. (As great as they both are.)
And note: This movie is set to take place in 1962, when Grace Kelly was 33.
I know it’s popular to hate January Jones, but as far as look and the way she carries herself, she is a spot-on Grace Kelly.
Actually Amy Adams is the one who looks like her, petite, the same shape of face, same eyes whereas January Jones just has the same style on Mad Men that’s all.
Cedric The Entertainer
Awesome! He’s got my vote.
Like! Go the opposite way.
I was gonna say Samuel L. Jackson, but OK.
Rachel Mcaddams or Melissa St.George look like her and are good actresses.
Rachael McAdams would be fantastic!
Love this – billiant idea!
Agreed!
My vote for Rachel McAdams!
I think you mean Melissa George, and as much as I like her, she doesn’t really fit a Grace Kelly type
My vote is for Rachel McAdams!
Amber Heard. They look alike.
Not to mention Amber Heard is actually really talented
Yeah, I think she looks the part the most and could really pull it off. Plus, she’s the right age. Most of Grace’s life “happened” in her mid 20′s.
Kat Dennings, Blake Lively, Leighton Meester or Evan Rachel Wood as Grace Kelly
It’s a phenomenal story and a slam-dunk Oscar for whoever plays Grace Kelly.
Please not Blake. She has no class at all on screen.
None of these people except maybe Evan look like her.
Amy Adams would be my choice
Amy Adams is the right choice if you want someone who looks like Grace Kelly, Grace had an unusual shape of face and Amy has the same, the others as talented as they are have not that !
For some reason I see Naomi Watts given the included picture.
I think Naomi Watts would be a great choice. I love her.
Hmm, this pic reminds me more of Mira Sorvino.
Meryl Streep
I say either Naomi Watts or Diane Kruger.
Ooh, Diane Kruger is a great choice!
Naomi Watts or Diane Kruger–both great actresses who resemble her, but both have the same grace and elegance as Grace had.
love this too! it’s too bad all the good american actresses don’t look like her
This will no doubt be a Oscar bait and given to some A-lister who has dillusions of grandeur about both her beauty AND talent as an actress. I would be cool with Charlize, but if they had the balls to go with a newcomer who’s age appropriate…Pan Am’s Margot Robbie is a DEAD ringer for her Serene Highness.
thats exactly what i thought when i saw pan am’s pilot!
Ugh no. She is THE WORST part of Pan am!
Preach! Margot Robbie could be really fantastic. Let’s just hope they cast someone under 35.
Charlize is too tall and doesn’t look like Grace Kelly AT ALL ! Amy adams perfect casting, nuff said.
January Jones has the look but not the talent. Gwyneth would probably do a good job but she’s not beautiful enough. If Nicole Kidman hadn’t Botoxed her face void of movement she’d be perfect.
Shia LaBeouf, Ed Westwick or Penn Badgley as Prince Rainier III of Monaco
Charlize Theron could be interesting… Rachel McAdamms as well…
No way January Jones!!! (she’s got the face, but terrible actress) Nor Gwyneth Paltrow, I just don’t see the timeless perfect beauty (she is beautiful, but not in a grace kelly kind of way)
Amy Adams !!!!
I agree, just say no to January Jones.
Rachel McAdams would be great. I think Michelle Williams would work, but she is already playing Marilyn. What about Jessica Chastain if she went blonde?
Diane Kruger or Emile de Ravin.