Cast This! All Black "Steel Magnolias"
Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 7:31PM Everyone is doing it... why shouldn't we? I caught the news on Twitter where everyone I follow (but particularly Joe & Mark) were sounding off about who they'd like to see in the just announced remake of Steel Magnolias (for Lifetime) which will use an all black cast. Since blacktresses and the unfortunate dearth of roles for them are one of our pet topics here at The Film Experience we can't really let this one go without a discussion.
Clockwise from top left: Hannah (Annelle), Maclaine (Ouiser), Parton (Truvy), Field (M'Lynn), Dukakis (Clairee), and Roberts (Shelby)
The original film, a big hit in 1989 that has had an infinite DVD shelf life with the gays, gave Julia Roberts her first Oscar nomination. It was another Oscar vehicle at the time for Sally Field, a star-laden adaptation of a hit play that opened in November, but the only thing Oscar ended up noticing was Julia Roberts all fresh faced and quivering ginormous lips. At the time Sally Field loved to lay claim to discovering Julia though it was the nascent superstar's fourth film to hit theaters.
She's mine!
Yes, I saw it in theaters. Shut up. I know my 80s movie stories are totally aging me. It can't be helped! This will happen to some of you when they start remaking 90s and 00s movies like Total Recall and Spider-M (oh wait. damn). The cast at the time was NOT listed alphabetically but had to deal with old fashioned 'whose the biggest star right now?' billing so it went like so...
- SALLY FIELD as "M'Lynn" the no nonsense mom who worries herself sick over her reckless life-loving diabetic daughter
- DOLLY PARTON as "Truvy" the big haired big hearted owner of the beauty shop where the cast continually congregates.
- SHIRLEY MACLAINE as "Ouiser" the mean spirited wealthy brunt of many of the jokes
- DARYL HANNAH as "Annelle" the bumbling beauty shop apprentice and born again Christian. 'Her personal troubles will not interfere with her ability to do good hair.'
- OLYMPIA DUKAKIS as "Clairee" Ouiser's wise-cracking bestie, also rich, but infinitely better-tempered.
- ...and JULIA ROBERTS as "Shelby" a fragile young bride who is desperate to have a normal life
The cast (sans Dukakis) at the NYC premiere in November 1989
So which black actresses would you cast in these roles?
EXTRA POINTS to anyone who manages to recast Tom Skeritt's and Dylan McDermott's parts, too. [Psssst. Shamelessly name dropping alert: Dylan McDermott was at that Hugo screening on Monday night, just 8 seats away from me!]
DOUBLE EXTRA POINTS to anyone who manages to recast it without using Viola Davis or Octavia Spencer who, trust, aren't going to be hurting for offers post The Help.
TRIPLE EXTRA POINTS to anyone who can do it using Steel Magnolia's formula at the time (4 previous Oscar nominees or winners, 2 absolute legends, 1 current sex symbol de-glammed and 1 newbie who is clearly on her way to major stardom)
Go!
Reader Comments (48)
TRUVY- Loretta Devine
M'LYNN- Angela Bassett
OUISER- Whoopi Goldberg
SHELBY- Anika Noni Rose
ANNELLE- Jennifer Hudson
CLAIREE- Queen Latifah
:-)
M'Lynn - Lynn Whitfield
Truvy - Queen Latifah
Ouiser - Whoopi Goldberg
Annelle - Anika Noni Rose/Taraji P. Henson/Sophie Okonedo
Clairee - Phyilcia Rashad
Shelby - Sanaa Lathan
I couldn't resist the thought of extra points (and because I couldn't do the first task lol) so...
Drum - Ruben Santiago-Hudson
Jackson - Anthony Mackie
M'LYNN - HALLE BERRY
TRUVY - MARGARET AVERY
OUISER - WHOOPI GOLDBERG
ANNELLE - TARAJI P HENSON
CLAIREE - OPRAH WINFREY
SHELBY - YAYA D'ACOSTA
DRUM - DENZEL WASHINGTON
JACKSON - ANTHONY MACKIE
M'Lynn - (originally Sally Field) - Angela Basset
Truvy - (originally Dolly Parton) - Queen Latifah
Ouiser - (originally Shirley MacLaine) - Oprah Winfrey
Clairee - (originally Olymbia Dukakis) - Whoopi Goldberg
Annelle - (originally Daryl Hannah) - Rosario Dawson
Shelby - (originally Julia Roberts) - Anika Noni Rose
Drum - (originally Tom Skerritt) - Denzel Washington
Jackson - (originally Dylan McDermott) - Will Smith
M'Lynn: Angela Bassett
Shelby: Naturi Naughton or Gabrielle Union
Oiser: Ruby Dee
Clairee: Alfree Woodard
Truvy: Vanessa Williams
Anelle: Kerry Washington or Zoe Saldana
Oh boy oh boy! The added crutch of no Viola Davis or Octavia Spencer makes this interesting.
M'Lynn = Angela Bassett. Because she hasn't been given a part she can really sink her teeth into, in ages.
Shelby = Yaya DaCosta. Because Yaya has a breezy presence that was the perfect ingredient in The Kids Are All Right, and I really want her to breakout. I think she has the makings of a star.
Ouiser = Pam Grier. Because of her hard edge, but when she's got your back it's hard to think of anyone else you'd rather go to for comfort.
Clairee= Alfre Woodard, because of her natural humanity, intelligence and because I can easily see a natural rapport with the group of women around her, which naturally would be important. And I would love to see Woodard tease Grier!
Truvy = Regina King because of her natural resilience, but there's a warmth there too.
Annelle= Zoe Saldana because I'd love to see her as a naive, well-meaning born again Christian.
Jackson (Dylan McDermott) = Anthony Mackie, I think him and Yaya would have great chemistry, and seeing Mackie cry is heart wrenching.
Drum (Tom Skerritt) = Dennis Haysbert because it's easy to picture the easy going father/daughter relationship between him and Yaya.
This was so hard because I could see some of these women playing more than one character (though the men were the hardest to cast), but here's my go at it. I might have to do another post because I'm sure more names will pop up.:
Lynn Whitfield as "M'Lynn"
Jennifer Lewis/Alfre Woodard as "Truvy"
Whoopi Goldberg/Diahann Carroll/Cicely Tyson as "Ouiser"
Regina Hall/Salli Richardson-Whitfield/N'Bushe Wright as "Annelle"
Alfre Woodard/Jennifer Lewis/S. Epatha Merkerson as "Clairee"
...and Jurnee Smollett/Nicole Beharie/Gugu Mbatha-Raw as "Shelby"
Harry Lennox "Drum" (Tom Skerritt)
Lance Gross/Mehcad Brooks/Derek Luke "Jackson" (Dylan McDermott)
How did i forget Phylicia Rashad?! She'd make a great Ouiser!
M'LYNN - Phylicia Rashād
TRUVY - Angela Bassett
OUISER - Alfre Woodard
CLAIREE - Pam Grier
SHELBY - Gugu Mbatha-Raw
ANNELLE - Kimberly Elise
Drum Eatenton - Danny Glover
Jackson Latcherie - Anthony Mackie
Spud Jones - Andre Braugher
Kimberly Elise as M'Lynn
Mo'Nique or Sherri Shepherd as Truvy
Whoopi Goldberg as Ouiser
Meagan Good as Annelle
CCH Pounder as Clairee
Zoe Kravitz as Shelby
and
James Pickens Jr. as Drum
Idris Elba as Jackson
Ooh, this sounds fun! Need to watch this movie again sometime soon. Anyway...
Alfre Woodard as M’Lynn
Queen Latifah as Truvy (the “big haired” bit got me thinking about her role in Hairspray)
Jenifer Lewis as Ouiser
Kerry Washington as Annelle
Cicely Tyson as Clairee
Sanaa Lathan as Shelby (hoping I don’t get points off for repeating Love and Basketball’s mother/daughter casting)
M'Lynn- Kimberly Elise
Truvy- Regina King
Ouiser- Khandi Alexander
Annelle- Kerry Washington
Clairee- CCH Pounder
Shelby- Nicole Beharie
Steve -- i love how serious you take it with bold font and everything. though the idea of will smith and denzel agreeing to do a lifetime movie is highlarious.
seasondays -- halle being the mmom to yaya huh? I love the idea of Yaya getting in there ! (i never would have thought of her, but i think i want her as Annelle instead ;)
the film junkie -- you're casting for like a repertory commpany or something. triplecasting eh.
NATHANIEL... the age difference is almost the same - 21 years between FIELD and ROBERTS / 17 years between BERRY and DACOSTA
M'Lynn: Angela Bassett
Truvy: Alfre Woodard
Ouiser: Pam Grier
Annelle: Thandie Newton
Clairee: Whoopi Goldberg
Shelby: Zoe Saldana
Drum: Lawerence Fishburn or Forest Whitaker
Jackson: Derek Luke
Starting casting this as soon as I read the news, but no, I refuse to do it without Viola:
http://maconthings.wordpress.com/2011/10/11/dream-cast-the-all-black-steel-magnolias/
M'Lynn- Viola Davis
Shelby- Anika Noni Rose
Clairee-Phylicia Rashad
Ouiser- Loretta Devine
Truvy- Mo'Nique
Annelle- Sanaa Lathan
Blinking Cursor -- i'm kind of in love with your pairing of Whoopi Goldberg with Pam Grier!
i should also add that joe reid said RUPAUL for Truvy on Twitter. which is kind of genius, don't you think?
@Nathaniel: Hahahaha! I just couldn't make up my mind who I wanted for the parts. But you might be on to something...and you're right, that RuPaul suggestion is all kinds of Brilliant.
M'lynn - Alfre Woodard
Shelby - Jurnee Smollett (love her in FNL)
Ousier - Oprah
Clairee - Diana Ross
Anelle - Sophie Okonedo
Truvy - Angela Basset
I dislike the movie, but this is fun XD
M'Lynn - Angela Basset
Truvy - Diana Ross
Ouiser - Loretta Devine
Clairee - Ruby Dee
Annelle - Thandie Newton OR Gabby Sidibe << Wouldn't it be a fun casting? even if the character is more 'traditional beauty'
Shelby - Kerry Washington
Drum - Dennis Haysbert
Jackson - Larenz Tate
What a fun project. I'm fully on board with those pulling for a Angela Bassett/Zoe S. pairing as M'Lynn and Shelby, and Yaya is a great suggestion to play Annelle. Otherwise I'll just go with some old favorites - Loretta Devine as Truvy, S. Epatha Merkerson as Clairee, and either Khandi Alexander or CCH Pounder as Ouiser.
Queen Latifah, Sherri Shepard, Beyonce, Oprah, Gabrielle Union and Jennifer Hudson are banned from this production.
M'lynn: I would love to see what Mo'Nique would do with this role...she can handle the funeral scene with ease. Most likely this is going to Viola or Angela Bassett. Adriane Lenox from Doubt on B'way and The Blind Side? Would love to see Whoopi in this role as well.
Shelby: Kimberly Elise, Sanaa Lathan, Kerry Washington, Jurnee Smollett, Zoe Saldana, or Anika Noni Rose. What about Brandy? Anybody ever see Double Platinum with Diana Ross? She was very good.
Annelle: Anika Noni Rose, Zoe Saldana. Love the Yaya shout-out. Halle?
Truvy/Ouiser/Claree: So many actresses can play these roles...Loretta Devine, S. Epatha, Whoopi, Jennifer Lewis, Cicely, Ruby, Margaret Avery, Lynn Whitfield, Diahann Carroll...the list goes on.
M'Lynn - Angela Bassett. It just makes sense, if Viola Davis is out of the running.
Shelby - Kerry Washington or Anika Noni Rose, maybe Yaya D'Acosta. Beautiful, fresh, talented actresses that could handle the heartbreak yet hope of doomed aspirations.
Clairee - Oprah Winfrey. I wanna see her act again!
Ouiser - Whoopi Goldberg. I like the idea of her and O being sisters, I also wanna see her acting again.
Truvy - Sherri Shepard or Queen Latifah or mayybbe Mo'Nique. Can be loving but funny women. I feel like Queen Latifah plays similar characters all the time though, and Mo'Nique might have a little trouble tapping into the warmer side. I like Sherri Shepard the best, but also the idea of Mo'Nique.
Annelle - Zoe Saldana or Yaya D'Acosta. Beautiful, can be sexy, and can handle the born-again Christian thing.
This is a horrid idea but here's who I see.
M'Lynn-Alfre Woodard-an actress of almost limitless scope.
Truvy-Jennifer Lewis-A wonderful actress who can make so much out of so little
Ouisa-Loretta Devine-she'd be a great cranky but caring curmudgeon.
Claree-Regina King-a little young but so was Olympia Dukakis when she played the part.
Annelle-Rutina Wesley-She's sassy on True Blood but could dial it back to play the sweet if flaky Annelle.
Shelby-I suppose Rashisa Jones would be okay but not ideal casting. This was the toughest because even though I'm not always the biggest fan of Julia Roberts she does possess star quality that jumps right out at you and I can't think of any young current actress who has that rare quality.
Jackson-Chiwetel Ejiofor
Drum-Delroy Lindo
With this cast maybe just maybe I'd watch this, a better Shelby perhaps, but I just don't see the point when they got it right the first time.
@Nathaniel,
It is kind of inspired, if I do say so myself! :) I can totally see Pam and Whoopi working their mojo and trading wisecracks with and at one another.
As for some of the other choices by the other posters, they're really interesting too! I actually want to see multiple productions of this now, as if it were a play with rotating excellent actresses.
And yes, Rupaul as Truvy is a wicked kind of genius. Though if we go there, then we might as well consider Nelsan Ellis (aka Lafayette on True Blood) for the role too. But come to think of it, Ellis might be an interesting choice for Jackson.
I'm loving this conversation, but I feel like people are really overestimating the kind of star power that's going to be attracted to this. After all, it's still Lifetime, and it's a fun project but hardly prestige/awards bait. Early casting might set the tone, though - get one or two big names attached and others might be more interested.
To be honest, I don't know the original "Steel Magnolias" - is there a part for Erica Gimpel in this? I feel like we don't see enough of her.
^ Well, with the scarcity of good work for black actors, specifically women, something like this is heaven. And it's a remake of a very popular movie, Lifetime or not. I don't really think the names in here are too far-fetched, though they might not all be big names.
P.S. Had anyone heard this "The remake will be re-titled Steal Magnolias."
Um....I'm not even sure what to say to that...
M'Lynn = Angela Basset
Truvy = Whitney Houston
Ouiser = Whoppy Goldberg
Claire = Halle Berry
Anelle = Thandy Newton
Shelby = Beyonce
DS - Coco shout out! she's gonna live forever. people remember her name....♫
blinking -- ooh. Ellis as Jackson. I'd go for that.
Oh Jesus Nat - did you wake up and think "What can I post that will make Michael P piddle himself with excitement whilst at work?" - because you succeeded.
Here are my two cents for what they are worth.
M'Lynn - Mo'Nique
Truvy - Marianne Jean - Baptiste
Ouiser - CCH Pounder
Annelle - Sharon Warren
Clairee - Diahann Carroll
Shelby - Jurnee Smollett
Drum - Samuel L Jackson - (not inspired at all, but he would be perfect)
Jackson - Elijah Kelly
M'Lynn - alfre woodard (the one and only)
Truvy - vanessa williams (cast against type...countrify her)
Ouiser - tina turner (channeling nutbush city limits)
Annelle - alicia keys (and when she's made-over i want her to look beautiful but still somehow "off," like rockabilly, not predictable weave and lipgloss)
Clairee - pam grier (in "strict" mode--like jackie brown in the suit she buys at mall)
Shelby - yaya dacosta (stole this off the other commentators because it's just perfect)
Drum and Jackson - don't care about men. get some unknown theater people.
This reeks of racism to me. I know there aren't any good roles for black women ("The Help" excluded), but really, an all black cast of "Steel Magnolias"? Is an all white version of "The Color Purple" coming down the pike too? They should have left well enough alone. I expect every named actress fighting for these roles. It being on Lifetime is irrelevant. Lots of big names are slumming. Taraji P. Henson just got an Emmy nod for "Taken from Me." No shame in that. I just wish that there were some original stories to tell instead of doing this.
But I'll play along. Love a good casting game! I'm such a hypocrite.
M'Lynn: Angela Bassett (Get that Emmy you should have won for "ER" or "The Rosa Parks Story"!); but this would be the easy choice for Viola Davis
Tryvy: Loretta Devine (I swear I won't make this into a "Waiting to Exhale" reunion, but she'd be perfect for this role)
Ouiser: Phylicia Rashad (I'd love to see her stretch with a no-frills character like this one, and Kenny Leon did wonder for her in "A Raisin in the Sun")
Shelby: Keshia Knight Pullam (if Phylicia Rashad is cast as M'Lynn, it could be a "Cosby Show" reunion!); Sanaa Lathan would be great for this too.
Annelle: Anika Noni Rose (just so she'll get more job opportunities)
Clairee: Oprah (I think she would be great doing a comic relief role, and it's not like she doesn't have experience playing a rich bitch; if they go the typecasting route, I'd fully expect someone like Taraji P. Henson or Octavia Spencer in this role instead)
I could see Danny Glover as a great Drum. Jackson? I'm thinking Omar Epps.
Some of these names might be too "big" for television, but there's nothing really going on in films for them, so they might as well do this. Couldn't hurt, and Kenny Leon did a great job on "A Raisin in the Sun."
LOVE this idea! I'm trying to keep it real with who Lifetime would actually consider/be able to get.
M'Lynn - Alfre Woodard. Period. I hate typecasting but she's really the perfect mother figure. Or maybe Sharon Leal? She's entering her 40s now and is sadly underused as an actress.
Truvy - Casting RuPaul here is a great bit of twisted genius. But I would actually love Taraji P. Henson in this part, and she's on Person of Interest now so she's clearly open to TV. Or Jill Scott, who I love unreservedly for being great in literally everything she does. I kinda miss No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency!
Ouiser - Vanessa Williams. She might be a little young for this part, but have you seen A Diva's Christmas Carol? She's perfect for this. Although if Whoopi would deign to do this, she'd also be perfect.
Annelle - I love the above poster's idea of Alicia Keys in this role. And she just directed part of that actressy "Five" thing for Lifetime, so she's part of the family! Also, True Blood's Rutina Wesley. Wouldn't it be nice to see her actually have a full character to work with? Or maybe Roslyn Ruff, a great theatre actress who was also really good in a very small part in Rachel Getting Married
Clairee - Loretta Devine. I love this woman SO MUCH. She's always such a welcome, warm presence, but has quite the way with the one-liners, which is perfect for Steel Magnolias. OR, speaking of Rachel Getting Married, what about Anna Deavere Smith? Or maybe she's more of a M'Lynn
Shelby - Like the idea of Yaya here, but I think I would prefer Paula Patton, who was really wonderful in Precious and Jumping the Broom.
OH! And whoever mentioned Dennis Haysbert for Drum? YES. Yes, yes, yes!
Okay, I think I have the perfect cast if I do say so myself.
M'Lynn: April Grace. How Magnolia didn't help her get some more prestige roles I have no idea. I feel like she has this performance inside of her.
Truvy: Mo'Nique. Cause why not right? She has such a joyous presence offscreen, I feel it could translate well.
Ouiser: Alfre Woodard.
Annelle: Yaya DaCosta. Just those few minutes of screentime in The Kids Are All Right felt very powerful.
Clairee: Carol Jean Lewis. From Rachel Getting Married! So sweet.
Shelby: The one and only Shareeka Epps, an actress I'm sort of obsessed with. Half Nelson just speaks to such a depth of talent within her, I would love for her to get a chance like that. And she could totally nail it.
Oprah's going to act again in HBO's "Ruined," Phillip. It won the Pulitizer prize for Drama a while back, so it should be a good showcase for her.
Dolly looked so awesome back then. Now look at her. Sigh.
Great potential with this film. It's Lifetime, so some of these names tossed around are very unrealistic, but my choices:
M'Lynn: Alfre Woodard
She has the heart, fierceness, and range to make this character's tonal shifts soar just like Sally Field did. And the Emmys adore her, so there's that. It'll give the project instant credibility.
Truvy: Loretta Devine
I think she would radiate the same warmth that Dolly did with Truvy.
Ouiser: Phylicia Rashad
I like the idea of getting such a stately actress like this in a let-loose kind of role like Ouiser.
Annelle: Anika Noni Rose
I can see her perfectly as hot-mess stylist turned religious zealot Annelle.
Clairee: Whoopi Goldberg
This could be fabulous casting! Make it happen!
Shelby: Jurnee Smollett
This is the one. If the casting's blown in this role, then the whole project falters. It has to be someone youngish that can do convincing drama and comedic shifts. If you've seen "Eve's Bayou," "The Great Debaters," or "Friday Night Lights," then you know that Jurnee Smollett can accomplish all of that and then some.
And I want my extra credit points!
Drummond: Danny Glover
Jackson: Anthony Mackie
M'Lynn - Mo'Nique
Truvy - Queen Latifah
Ouiser - Ruby Dee
Annelle - Jennifer Hudson
Clairee - Sophie Okonedo
Shelby - Kerry Washington
Drum - Jamie Foxx
Jackson - Tyrese Gibson
HBO should have gotten this. Lifetime's gonna be so hacky. Still can't wait to hear casting news.
I am going to try to use names not previously mentioned.
M'Lynn: S. Epatha Merkerson
Shelby: Paula Patton
Truvy: Audra McDonald
Annelle: Joy Bryant
Ouiser: Mary Alice
Clairee: Diahann Carroll
Drum: Peter Francis James
Jackson: Keith Robinson
I feel bad casting talented black actresses in a LIFETIME movie! They need to be on the big-screen! I will abstain from this.
Jill Scott and Nicole Beharie were a great mother/daughter pair in "Sins of the Mother." I wouldn't mind seeing them in a film together again for this.
Just use David Fincher trickery and cast Viola Davis in all the roles. That way she will have no competition at the Emmys. Then she'll be one step closer to an EGOT!!!
way too late to the party. and i didn't even have the time to check if everybody else had the same ideas... but here we go. i did manage to avoid the "help"-cast (though i love viola and octavia) as well as some obvious big names such as beyoncé, queen latifah etc. still, i was able to come up with an alternate (younger) cast and yet was not able to find parts for some great actresses like regina king, kerry washington, jill scott, paula patton, kimberly elise, zoe saldana, anika noni rose, lisa bonet, cch pounder, loretta devine or rutina wesly.. some much talent, so little opportunities.
M'Lynn - (originally Sally Field) - Angela Basset (alt.: halle Berry)
Truvy - (originally Dolly Parton) - Whoopi Goldberg (alt.: Mo'Nique)
Ouiser - (originally Shirley MacLaine) - Phylicia Rashad (alt.: Oprah Winfrey)
Clairee - (originally Olymbia Dukakis) - Diana Ross (alt.: Alfre Woodard)
Annelle - (originally Daryl Hannah) - Taraji P. henson (alt.: Rosario Dawson)
Shelby - (originally Julia Roberts) - YaYa DaCosta (alt.: Zoe Kravitz)
Drum - (originally Tom Skerritt) - Wesley Snipes (alt.: Boris Kodjoe)
Jackson - (originally Dylan McDermott) - Anthony Mackie (alt.: Collins Pennie)
I don't know nothing about this movie, but I want VERY MUCH to see MO"NIQUE there!!!! I loved her performance in PRECIOUS, and she needs a great COMEBACK after that OSCAR, a good role to put she into the awards season again. I hope so.
M'lynn - Jennifer Lewis. She really hasn't had much of a chance to showcase what she can do. They always cast her as a sassy loud character.
Truvy - Alfre Woodard. I think she can pull off the warmth and comedy needed here.
Annelle - Angel Cromwell. She has done a few small roles. I was impressed with her character on The Young and the Restless.
Ouiser - Phllyicia Rashad. I would love to see her play someone mean for a change.
Clairee - Debbie Allen. She was wonderful on Grey's Anatomy and it would be fun to see her play off her sister. I think they would bring great chemistry to the roles.
Shelby - Anika Noni Rose. She has a star quality and I also believe she can bring the strength the Shelby character needs.
Drum - cant really think of anyone for this role.
Jackson - Brian White. He doesn't get used enough
Shelby's brothers - Keith Robinson and Lance Gross
Truvy's husband - James Pickens Jr
Annelle's husband - Mekhi Pfifer
Should be fun. It's hard to watch the original. Talk about forced and over the top characters! Yikes it's bad. There are fun moments like Julia Roberts BAD short wig and Shirley's face waxing....and Sally pulling a Sybil moment in the cemetary.