When it was rumored earlier this summer that the more than adequately rounded Scarlett Johansson was in talks to play Marilyn Monroe, it seemed like a no-brainer. Well, for whatever reason, ScarJo left the project, but Production Weekly have twittered that Michelle Williams is in talks to take the lead role in “My Week With Marilyn,” playing the iconic blonde bombshell.
While Mr. Skin fans are probably bummed they won’t get see ScarJo in a role that would’ve required her to put her two greatest assets front and center, we’re kind of intrigued by Williams joining the project. Firstly, this isn’t the sort of role she usually gravitates towards so it will be interesting to see her change directions. Secondly, she’s just a better actress than ScarJo and will undoubtedly find the vulnerable core that made Monroe both so appealing and so tragic. And yes, she’s gorgeous too.
The film will be helmed by Brit TV veteran Simon Curtis and is based on the diary of Sir Laurence Olivier’s employee Colin Clark. 1957, he looked after Monroe when she arrived in London to film “The Prince And The Showgirl” with Olivier. In 1958, Clark published excerpts of his diary but left his week with Monroe unpublished. In 2002, those entries finally saw the light of day and are now the basis for the film.
Michelle Williams has a busy 2010 lining up with “Blue Valentine” and “Shutter Island” both being released, and she’s currently working on her second film with Kelly Reichardt, “Meek’s Cutoff.” As for ScarJo, she’s going to be tenting fanboy poles next summer in “Iron Man 2.” No other casting or production details on “My Week With Marilyn” are available but we would imagine a spring start isn’t out of the question.