Cate Blanchett gets a new sparring partner, Kristen Wiig
Friday, March 24, 2017 at 12:36PM by Murtada
Cate Blanchett always manages to get sizzling chemistry with her female co-stars, whether the story they are in is sapphic or not. She had it with Judi Dench playing the architect of her destruction in Notes on a Scandal (2007). And with Sally Hawkins as her curtseying worse gened adoptive sister in Blue Jasmine (2013). Most famously, she had it with Rooney Mara as the girl flung out of space in Carol (2015). In the same movie she etched a believable and palpable friendship with Sarah Paulson. We assume she’ll do it again with Paulson next year in Ocean’s Eight (and with Sandra Bullock, Rihanna et al).Those set pictures don’t lie. And now we can add Kristen Wiig to the list.
They already make each other laugh
In the adaptation of Maria Semple’s bestselling novel Where’d You Go, Bernadette, to be directed by Richard Linklater, Cate and Kristen will be at odds with each other. Cate is Bernadette, a once world renowned architect turned recluse who is overwhelmed by her fellow private-school mothers in Seattle. Kristen is Audrey, one of those intense mothers who annoy Bernadette. Shades of Renata and Madeleine in Big Little Lies? If you've read the novel, you know that the Bernadette-Audrey relationship goes into some unexpected but very funny places. Can’t wait to see Blanchett and Wiig sparring.
There are two other great roles in the novel. Bee, Bernadette's 15 year old daughter who puts the pieces together of her mother’s elusive previous life. And Elgin, the husband and father, a genius computer scientist who leads a design team at a very famous tech company. Linklater was seen catching Cate’s final Broadway performance in The Present, just a few days ago. He brought along a friend, Ethan Hawke. Hmmmm. This could mean nothing but it could be a sign. No matter, let's play casting director. Who would you cast as Bee and Elgin?
Reader Comments (15)
I say slap Elle Fanning and Billy Crudup into those roles and call it 21st Century Women.
I like Hawke but I can't picture him being effectively paired up with Blanchett for some reason. But really, I think the most vital casting decision will be for Bee. Love the cast so far - Blanchett and Wiig are perfect.
I would love to see Michael Stuhlbarg given a shot at comedy (as well as paired with Blanchett).
What about the girl from The Conjuring.
Millie Bobbi Brown will likely get it.
I remember that Blue Jasmine David Letterman interview so well :)
David: You've worked with George Clooney, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, my gAd!
Banchett: I'm pretty sure there's some women in there as well!
Cate's worked with Judi Dench, Julianne Moore, Sally Hawkins, Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson, and now she adds Sandra Bullock, Kristen Wiig (I love her), so happy for them both
I was also thinking Stuhlbarg for Elgin... or, idk, Ewan McGregor? The character wasn't as developed as the female ones in the novel, so it's harder to picture an actual actor in it...
More importantly: Angoruie Rice as Bee!!!
I'd like to see someone like Corey Stoll or Peter Sarsgaard in the husband role. And, I don't know, maybe Iris Apatow in the daughter role? She really has matured in interesting ways.
Anya Taylor-Joy! Too old?
And what's Eric Bana up to? Or randomly... Nikolaj Coster-Waldau?
Michael Shannon or Idris Elba for the father role please!
constance woo for soo lin plz
constance wu, i mean
her and bobby cannavale worked really well together.... so im pushing for good comedic chops...
but also... lets give damian bichir more stuff to do
I was sitting right in front of Ethan Hawke and Richard Linklater during that Present performance. Obviously in that room was in love with Cate but none more so than Ethan Hawke who was shouting "Brava" from the top his lungs at the end of the performance. she never looked once in our direction. I wouldn't be surprised if he was the male lead.
My guess is that he will cast someone largely unknown as the daughter. Linklater has not cast well-known actors for his child parts in films like School of Rock, The Bad News Bears, Boyhood, etc.