"Jekyll & Hyde" Film: Possibilities

Hello once again!

Those of you who know me well may also know that in addition to Sweeney Todd and Phantom of the Opera, I happen to be a huge fan of Frank Wildhorn's musical Jekyll & Hyde. Not so much the Broadway version, however . . . I prefer the pre-Broadway versions, and also some of the productions that have been done in other countries.

Anyway, Mr. Wildhorn is apparently planning to make this show into a musical film, so I began thinking of which actors might be likely to be considered for some of the main roles. In addition, I threw in some 'off-the-wall' choices -- actors who most Jekkies might never have thought of, but could be good anyway. I also decided to put in some (hopefully) objective 'pros' and 'cons' for each one, and I shall follow up in my next post with who I'd personally like to see in the film -- hopefully, that list will already be posted by the time you read this.

So without further ado, I present my list of actors who may be considered for the Jekyll & Hyde movie. All are listed alphabetically by last name.


Henry Jekyll / Edward Hyde

Antonio Banderas

Pros:
- Extremely popular; huge box-office draw.
- Sang in Evita and other films.
- Was considered for the Phantom of the Opera film.

Cons:
- Voice may be too 'rock / pop-ish' for this role.
- Filmmakers may not want Jekyll to have a Hispanic accent.
- May receive negative reaction from “Jekkies,” similar to the one he got from “Phans” when he was considered for POTO.

John Barrowman

Pros:
- Versatile stage performer; has played several 'leading man' roles, and will apparently play the Phantom in the sequel to ALW's POTO.
- Played the lead tenor in the "Springtime for Hitler" scene of the Producers film.
- TV and film experience; known to sci-fi fans as Captain Jack Harkness in Doctor Who and Torchwood.

Cons:
- Doubts over whether he could play Hyde well.

Pro or Con:
- Somewhat well-known.
- Is 41, but looks much younger.

David Bowie

Pros:
- Popular rock singer.
- Acting experience, including Labyrinth and The Prestige.

Cons:
- Voice may be too 'rock / pop-ish' for this role.
- May be considered too old.

Rob Evan

Pros:
- Sang the part on the Jekyll & Hyde: Resurrection CD, and at live concerts.
- Played the role numerous times on Broadway.

Cons:
- Seemed to struggle with the low notes, and may need some songs transposed.
- No film experience.
- May be considered too old.

Pro or Con:
- Not very well-known.

Ethan Freeman

Pros:
- Plenty of singing and acting experience onstage, in German and English.
- Was the original J&H in the German production.

Cons:
- No film experience.
- May be considered too old.

Pro or Con:
- Largely unknown except among theatre fans.

Hugh Jackman

Pros:
- Singing/acting experience on Broadway, as well as Tony Awards.
- Plenty of acting experience in films, and sang in Happy Feet.
- Huge fanbase; box-office draw.
- In his 40s, but looks much younger.
- Frank Wildhorn apparently wants him to be in the film.

Cons:
- Hasn't yet been in a live-action musical film, although he wanted to audition for The Phantom of the Opera.

Pro or Con:
- Rumors have linked him to every musical film so far.

Brad Little

Pros:
- Played the role in a US touring production.
- Plenty of singing and acting experience onstage in other shows.
- Large fanbase among theatre fans.

Cons:
- No film experience.
- May be considered too old.

Pro or Con:
- Largely unknown except among theatre fans.

Ewan McGregor

Pros:
- In addition to Moulin Rouge, singing experience on Broadway.
- Box-office draw.
- Good acting range.

Cons:
- Doubts over whether he could play Hyde well.
- Doubts over whether he has the vocal range for the role.

Christian Müller

Pros:
- Has played a variety of roles in German theatre -- Raoul and the Phantom (in Phantom of the Opera), as well as Enjolras and Javert (in Les Misérables).
- Sang "Love Has Come of Age" (from the first J&H recording) in concert, and sounded quite good in English.

Cons:
- Don't know whether he would do a musical film.

Pro or Con:
- Largely unknown except among German theatre fans.
- Only 22 years old.

Hugh Panaro

Pros:
- Loads of musical theatre experience -- Sweeney Todd (Anthony), Les Misérables (Marius), Phantom of the Opera (Raoul and the Phantom), Lestat (title role), and more.
- Large fanbase of "Panarophiles" who would support the film.
- In his 40s, but looks much younger.

Cons:
- Not much film experience.
- Don't know whether he would want to be in a musical film.

Pro or Con:
- Largely unknown, except among theatre fans.

Jim Sturgess

Pros:
- Sang in Across the Universe, and may star in the Spider-Man musical on Broadway.

Cons:
- Doubts over whether he could play Hyde well.
- Too young?

John Travolta

Pros:
- Plenty of acting experience in films.
- Has done musical films, including Grease and Hairspray.
- Large fanbase; box-office draw.
- Was considered for the Phantom of the Opera film.

Cons:
- May receive negative reaction from “Jekkies,” similar to the one he got from “Phans” when he was considered for POTO.
- May be considered too old.


Lucy Harris

Anne Hathaway

Pros:
- Singing and acting experience.
- Looks the part.
- Potential box-office draw.

Cons:
- Her voice may not be powerful enough.
- Often typecast in Disney princess roles; may not have the range for such a complex character.

Nicole Kidman

Pros:
- Starred in Moulin Rouge.
- Experienced and versatile film star.
- Potential box-office draw.
- Looks very young.

Cons:
- The music of J&H is quite a different style from that of Moulin Rouge.
- Older than Lucy is generally played onstage.

Idina Menzel

Pros:
- Loads of experience performing in musicals on stage and screen.
- Large fanbase in the theatre world.

Cons:
- Too much of a belter?
- The filmmakers may be looking for someone younger.

Pro or Con:
- Not well-known except among theatre fans.

Emmy Rossum

Pros:
- Singing experience in the Phantom of the Opera film, as well as recording her own albums and sometimes performing at concerts.
- Acting experience; up-and-coming star.
- Looks the part.

Cons:
- Typecast as the ingenue; some may be skeptical about her playing a darker role like this.
- Her voice may not be powerful enough for songs like "Bring On the Men."
- Don't know if she's interested in starring in another musical.

Coleen Sexton

Pros:
- Played Lucy on Broadway; fan favorite in the role.
- Some TV and film experience.

Cons:
- The filmmakers may be looking for someone younger.

Pro or Con:
- Not very well-known, except among “Jekkies.”

Kate Shindle

Pros:
- Sang Lucy's part on the Jekyll & Hyde: Resurrection CD, and at live concerts.
- Has done other stage work, including Legally Blonde: The Musical.

Cons:
- Her voice may be too 'pop-ish' for the standard musical.
- Don't know how well she can act.

Pro or Con:
- Not very well-known, except among “Jekkies.”

Uma Thurman

Pros:
- Singing and dancing experience in film version of The Producers.
- In her 40s, but could easily pass for someone in her mid-20s.
- Possible box-office draw.

Cons:
- May not want to do another musical film, since Producers flopped.

Evan Rachel Wood

Pros:
- Singing experience in Across the Universe, as well as several other projects.
- Plenty of acting experience in films.
- Reasonably well-known among film audiences.

Cons:
- Has already played a character named 'Lucy' in a musical film; possible typecasting.

Renée Zellweger

Pros:
- Starred in Chicago.
- Plenty of film experience.
- Potential box-office draw.

Cons:
- Mixed reaction to her singing in Chicago.
- The music of J&H is quite a different style from that of Chicago.
- Older than Lucy is generally played onstage.

Catherine Zeta-Jones

Pros:
- Singing, dancing, and acting experience.
- Box-office draw.

Cons:
- Not sure if she'd want to be in another musical film.
- Older than Lucy is generally cast.

Emma Carew

Sierra Boggess

Pros:
- Versatile theatre performer; played Christine in Las Vegas production of POTO, and is playing Ariel in The Little Mermaid on Broadway.

Cons:
- No film experience.

Pro or Con:
- Not well-known except among theatre fans.

Brandi Burkhardt

Pros:
- Sang Emma's part on the Jekyll & Hyde: Resurrection CD, and at live concerts.

Cons:
- Her voice may be too 'pop-ish' for the standard musical.
- Don't know how well she can act.

Pro or Con:
- Not well-known.
- Dating Frank Wildhorn.

Julie Hanson

Pros:
- Versatile theatre performer; has played Christine (POTO), Julie Jordan (Carousel), and Esther Smith (Meet Me in St. Louis), among others.
- Has also been in a few regional opera productions, including The Marriage of Figaro and The Mikado.

Cons:
- No film experience.

Pro or Con:
- Not well-known except among theatre fans.

Scarlett Johansson

Pros:
- Established film actress.
- Apparently favored by Frank Wildhorn.
- If Hugh Jackman is cast in the title role, they would be familiar with each other's acting styles, having starred together before.
- Hugh said they sang together behind the scenes of The Prestige, and that she sounded good.
- Allegedly wanted by Andrew Lloyd Webber to play Maria in London production of The Sound of Music.
- British.

Cons:
- Most of her films haven't done well critically or financially.
- We haven't really heard her sing, except in the karaoke scene in Lost in Translation and a snippet in the "Yes We Can" video for Barack Obama's presidential campaign.
- Smoking may hinder her vocal ability.

Keira Knightley

Pros:
- Very versatile actress.
- Enjoys being in period films.
- Box-office draw.
- Allegedly wanted for the role of Eliza in London production of My Fair Lady.
- British.

Cons:
- Don't know how well she can sing; she was allegedly laughed at when she auditioned for the Phantom of the Opera film.
- In high demand; may be busy with other projects.

Amy Nuttall

Pros:
- Versatile theatre performer; has played Christine (POTO), Eliza (My Fair Lady), and more.

Cons:
- No film experience.

Pro or Con:
- Not well-known.

Emmy Rossum

Pros:
- Young, but not too young.
- Emma's role seems more suited to her voice than Lucy's.

Cons:
- Potential for typecasting.
- Mixed reaction to her voice.

Sherie René Scott

Pros:
- Broadway actress who has played many varied roles, including Maureen in RENT, Amneris in Aida, Christine Colgate in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Ursula in The Little Mermaid.
- Had two film roles.
- In her 40s, but looks and sounds very young.

Cons:
- Hasn’t been in a musical film before.

Pro or Con:
- Not well-known except among theatre fans.

Hayley Westenra

Pros:
- Established singer; very popular among classical music fans.

Cons:
- No idea if she can act.
- No film experience.

Kate Winslet

Pros:
- Lots of acting experience.
- Sang theme song of Christmas Carol: The Movie (2001).
- Potential box-office draw.
- British.

Cons:
- Hasn't been in a musical film before.

Jayne Wisener

Pros:
- Played Johanna in the Sweeney Todd film.
- Currently training at the Scottish Academy of Music.
- Scottish, but can do a British accent.

Cons:
- Her voice may be too soft and light for Emma.
- Potential for typecasting.

Pro or Con:
- Has only been in one film so far.
- Looks younger than she is; is 20, but looks 16.


Gabriel John Utterson

Johnny Depp

Pros:
- Sang in Sweeney Todd.
- Musically knowledgeable; in addition to singing, plays the guitar and composed music for Once Upon a Time in Mexico.
- Terrific actor.
- Definite box-office draw.

Cons:
- No formal voice training; questions over whether he has the vocal range (especially if he has to sing an A in "His Work and Nothing More")
- May not be interested in another musical film, especially if Tim Burton isn't chosen to direct.

Anthony Stewart Head

Pros:
- Experienced singer with lyric tenor voice; sang in musical episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, will star in Repo: The Genetic Opera, and was supposed to have a role in the Sweeney Todd film.
- Potential box-office draw, especially in the UK.

Cons:
- Voice may be too 'pop-ish' for the role.

Ewan McGregor

Pros:
- May work better as a supporting character; good at playing "best friend / mentor" roles.
- Box-office draw.
- Could play the character at almost any age the script might require; can pass for someone very young or much older.

Cons:
- Like Johnny Depp, he may not have the necessary vocal range.

Patrick Wilson

Pros:
- Played Raoul in the Phantom of the Opera film.
- Broadway performer.
- Experienced film actor; in addition to POTO, starred in several independent films.
- Tenor with excellent range; sang a B-flat while auditioning for POTO, and would therefore have no problem with the A.

Cons:
- Too young-looking?

Pro or Con:
- Not especially well-known, except among musical and indie-film fans.


Simon Stride

Christian Bale

Pros:
- Starred in Newsies (a Disney musical film) at age 17.
- Sang in a rock band in college.
- Excellent film actor; very versatile and would make a terrific villain.
- Ideal choice if Christopher Nolan directs.
- Box-office draw.

Cons:
- No idea whether he'd do another musical, especially since Newsies wasn't a success.

Gerard Butler

Pros:
- Plenty of acting experience.
- Starred in the Phantom of the Opera film, and continued taking voice lessons afterward.
- Known for playing dark, gritty characters as well as action roles.

Cons:
- Split opinions about his singing in POTO.
- No idea if he'd want to be in another musical film.

Johnny Depp

Pros:
- Vocal range may be better-suited for Stride than for Utterson.
- Great at playing dark, gritty roles; after Sweeney Todd, Stride should be no problem.

Cons:
- Again, may not be interested.

Andy Serkis

Pros:
- Experienced actor; can play villain roles very well.
- In addition to films, has done voice-acting work for certain video games.
- Possible box-office draw.
- Apparently could sing; once played the Emcee in a stage production of Cabaret.
- Also sang with Tenacious D in his Gollum/Sméagol voice, and seemed to have good pitch.

Cons:
- Very few people have heard him as the Emcee; I'm not one of them.
- May have permanently damaged his voice by playing Gollum in the Lord of the Rings films.

Patrick Wilson

Pros:
- Very versatile actor; has played darker roles including that of a pedophile.
- Could add a new dimension to Stride by making him appear sweet and charming.

Cons:
- May seem too nice for the role.


Sir Danvers Carew

Michael Caine

Pros:
- Loads of acting experience.
- If Christopher Nolan directs, he may be an ideal choice.
- Possible box-office draw.

Cons:
- No idea if he can sing.
- Possibly too old for the role, especially if a very young actress is cast as Emma.

Pro or Con:
- Played Jekyll in a previous (non-musical) film.

Jeremy Irons

Pros:
- Played Scar in The Lion King, and has some other singing experience.
- Trained by renowned vocal coach Ian Adam.
- Excellent actor.
- Potential box-office draw.

Cons:
- Hasn’t been in a live-action musical film before.

Peter Karrie

Pros:
- Terrific stage performer; fan favorite as the Phantom in POTO and Valjean in Les Misérables.

Cons:
- Has never been in a musical film before.

Pro or Con:
- Not well-known except among theatre fans.

Christopher Lee

Pros:
- Tremendous amount of acting experience.
- Powerful bass-baritone voice -- has sung in concerts and on a CD.
- Wants to be in a musical film; was supposed to play a part in Sweeney Todd, but was unable due to scheduling conflicts and script changes.
- Box-office draw.

Cons:
- Possibly too old for the role, especially if a very young actress is cast as Emma.
- May be better as one of the Governors?

Brian Stokes Mitchell

Pros:
- Popular Broadway leading man; terrific singer with some Tony awards under his belt.
- Some acting experience in TV shows, and one film (One Last Thing).

Cons:
- Has never been in a musical film before.

Pro or Con:
- Not well-known except among theatre fans.

Alan Rickman

Pros:
- Played Judge Turpin in the Sweeney Todd film, and is still taking voice lessons.
- Box-office draw.
- Extremely versatile, talented actor.

Cons:
- May not do another musical film right away.

Colm Wilkinson

Pros:
- Established musical theatre star with huge fanbase in the US and UK.
- Possible box-office draw among theatre fans.

Cons:
- No film experience.
- Officially retired from performing on stage; may not do a film.

Pro or Con:
- Sang Jekyll's part in the original demo CD.
- Not very well-known, except among theatre fans.


Lady Beaconsfield

Helena Bonham Carter

Pros:
- Sang in Sweeney Todd and Corpse Bride.
- Experienced film actress with good sense of comic timing.

Cons:
- May not want to do another musical unless Tim Burton is involved.

Pro or Con:
- Fairly well-known.

Glenn Close

Pros:
- Sang at a few Sondheim concerts, and was recorded on the CD "Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall."
- Was the original Norma Desmond in the Broadway production of ALW's Sunset Boulevard.
- Established film actress.

Cons:
- Hasn’t been in a musical film before.

Pro or Con:
- Was in Mary Reilly, a (non-musical) film based on the J&H story.

Meryl Streep

Pros:
- Experience singing in Sondheim's The Frogs.
- Versatile, established film actress.
- Potential box-office draw.

Cons:
- No musical film experience.

Pro or Con:
- Allegedly was offered the role of Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, but declined.

Miranda Richardson

Pros:
- Played Madame Giry in the Phantom of the Opera film.
- Extremely versatile actress; a Rita Skeeter (Harry Potter IV) approach could be perfect for the character.

Cons:
- May not want to be in another musical film.


Anyone you've thought of who isn't on the list? How about actors who may be better in a different role than what I've put them under? If you have any of those, can think of any changes or corrections to the 'pros' and 'cons' I've written, or simply want to agree or disagree with any of my choices, feel free to comment! Keep in mind that just because an actor is on the list, it doesn't necessarily mean I'd personally want him/her in that role.


Your obedient servant,
I.A.E.