Shortly after his Oscar-winning success with “Slumdog Millionaire,” Danny Boyle was said to be circulating a long-gestating remake of “My Fair Lady,” written by Emma Thompson (“Sense and Sensibility”), and produced by Duncan Kenworthy (“Four Weddings and a Funeral”) and theater impresario Sir Cameron Mackintosh. However, a few months ago, Boyle announced he was off the project, saying “It hasn’t worked out with me in the end, so that’s no for me.”
Flash forward a few months, and The Daily Telegraph is now reporting that “Atonement” helmer Joe Wright will replace Boyle on the project, after his next film “Indian Summer” fell apart last week, and that his usual muse Keira Knightley will play the Cockney-turned-charmer Eliza Doolittle. Knightley’s been linked with the part for years (there were rumors a few years back that she would co-star alongside Daniel Day-Lewis), but the same Telegraph reporter claimed in the summer that she had a rival, in the shape of Scarlett Johansson. But with the lead actress confirmed, and Wright appointed, it looks like a big leap forward for the project: one of those handy unnamed ‘friends of the director’ is quoted as saying “Joe and Keira are looking forward to working together again immensely.”
Of course, as with most stories originating in the British press, it’s helpful to take it with a fairly generous pinch of salt. Assuming the story is true, and the other bit of news — that Daniel Craig is being sought to play Henry Higgins — is also correct, that’s a pretty heavyweight cast, even if the idea of those two actors singing fills us with horror somewhat… Nevertheless, Joe Wright, while yet to be make a truly great film, has real chops, and seems like he could be an excellent fit to the material.