Ever since John Madden took the reigns of the long-gestating “My Fair Lady” in December, it seems the film has been losing more cast members than adding them. First, Keira Knightley, long attached to take the lead role of Eliza Doolittle, dropped out and then a month later, the hotly tipped Carey Mulligan denied any involvement in the picture. We began to wonder if Madden was just another director on the merry-go-word that has also included Danny Boyle and Stephen Daldry at various stages.
Well, the project has received a high profile boost as the Telegraph reports that Hugh Grant is circling the role of Henry Higgins in the film. Apparently, Emma Thompson who has written the screenplay and is a friend of Grant’s, has been championing him to Madden. The article also seems to indicate that despite Mulligan’s outright denial, she’s still being eyed for the leading lady role.
So what does this all mean? We’re guessing the producers are trying to line up their Henry Higgens first now instead of their Eliza Doolittle. As for Mulligan, it’s one thing to be cagey about a role and another to flat out deny it, so we think the Telegraph’s report might be erroneous. That said, perhaps with the right leading man opposite, she’ll circle the film again?