Who Should Star in a Musical?

By Scott Harris Posted Dec 17th 2009 05:00PM

When you think of performers who can both sing and act, a few names spring instantly to mind. Queen Latifah. Jennifer Hudson. And, of course... Daniel Day Lewis?

Okay, so the famously intense method actor may not be known for his vocal prowess, yet that hasn't prevented him from baring his musical soul on the big screen in the upcoming musical feature 'Nine.' Which shouldn't come as too much of a surprise considering 'Nine' is directed by Rob Marshall, who previously coached up such musical neophytes as Renee Zellweger in 'Chicago' to unexpected heights.

So the release of 'Nine' got us thinking: what other actors would we like to see try their hand at a musical? Sure, these things don't always work out (see: Pierce Brosnan in 'Mamma Mia!') but it's always fun to see our favorite stars step out of their comfort zone and flex the golden pipes. With that in mind, here's our list of the top stars we'd love to see in a musical:

Before 'Titanic,' Leonardo DiCaprio was probably best known for playing Romeo in Baz Luhrmann's take on 'William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet.' Luhrmann, of course, went on to create the musical fantasia 'Moulin Rouge,' so it would only be fitting for the two to reunite on another big ticket musical.

'Twilight''s Kristin Stewart has been mum on the details of her rumored relationship with co-star Robert Pattinson, but perhaps she can get some advice from the erstwhile musician (who has written and performed several songs for various movies he's worked on) on how to approach a musical role. After all, if a singing episode worked for Buffy, imagine what it could do for Bella?

Daniel Craig probably isn't the first person that springs to mind when you imagine a night of song and dance. He's no stranger to Broadway, however, having recently appeared on stage alongside Hugh Jackman. We'd love to see if any of Jackman's musical talent rubbed off on the pugnacious James Bond star.

With mega-hits 'The Proposal' and 'The Blind Side' already under her belt just this year alone, Sandra Bullock seems to be following the career path set by the legendary Meryl Streep, who just gets better as she gets older. So why not follow the 'Mamma Mia!' star's example even further by headlining a musical?

Speaking of Streep, she's currently co-starring with Alec Baldwin in 'It's Complicated.' But while his role in that film may be complicated, this much is simple: Baldwin's comedic talents, which are displayed every week on '30 Rock,' would seem to be a natural fit for a lighthearted musical.

When Lauren Bacall presented her famous advice on how to whistle in 'To Have and Have Not' ("Just put your lips together and blow"), she probably couldn't have imagined a pair of lips more perfect than those on Angelina Jolie. But can Jolie use those puffy poutmasters to do more than whistle? We'd love to find out by seeing Jolie give musicals a try.

Matt Damon has slowly become one of the top movie stars of his generation, mastering drama, comedy and action. but he also has musical cred thanks to his viral video with Sarah Silverman, 'I'm F****** Matt Damon.' Can he parlay that into a full-length musical turn? We wouldn't bet against him.

Natalie Portman has a long history of musical projects, including appearances in the indie-rock cult classic 'Garden State' and her own viral 'Saturday Night Live' video 'Natalie Raps.' We think the self-avowed music lover would be the ideal choice for a studio looking to do a hip, young musical.

With his expressive, cartoony face, Jake Gyllenhaal would seem like the perfect actor to bring such Disney creations as 'The Lion King' alive on stage. Apparently someone agrees with us, as he is rumored to be committed to a big screen remake of the classic musical 'Damn Yankees.' We say it's about time.

When it comes to exacting standards among actors, perhaps nobody is as demanding as outspoken 'Grey's Anatomy' star Katherine Heigl. That sort of precision and attention to detail would serve her well performing the kind of intricate musical numbers demanded by, say, a Gilbert & Sullivan production. Heigl in 'Pirates of Penzance?' Someone needs to make it happen, stat.

Comments

(10)

Thursday 17 December

By DVaRmy

Vote down Vote up Report this

I would love to see Hugh Jackman in a musical. After his hosting gig at the Tonys he seems like a heck of a dancer/singer and dancing without his shirt would make it *that* much better!

Friday 18 December

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Monday 15 February

By Jen

Ummmm... Oklahoma!. In his pre-Wolverine days, I might add - and it also proves how fantastic John C. Reilly is.

By peggym

I would like them to cast people who can actually sing and dance, not people who can chant acceptably and do one step, cut away, another step, cut away. Chicago on Broadway had legendary dancers; on film Renee Z was one step, cut away, one step, cut away (Catherine Zeta-Jones was a pleasant surprise).

By Amy

Actually, Kate Winslet would be really wonderful in a musical and bring her acting chops as well. She's already proven she has a beautiful voice in Hamlet with Kenneth Brannaugh and also Sense & Sensibility. Beautiful soprano.

By Jeff

JENNIFER GARNER needs to star in a musical. She has a history in musical theater.

By Ashleigh

Ok before you start making plans for putting these celebrities in a musical. The first question you should ask is "Can they sing?"

By don

bobby bandiera. a musical about roy orbison. bobby plays with southside johnny. also with bon jovi, and his own band. well known at the jersey shore. you have to hear him do roy orbison. i don't think there is a song bobby can't sing. if you have never heard of him. check him out you won't be dissapointed.

By leon

I was thinking of Dean Martin but realized that he wouldn't stoop so low do it without Jerry Lewis by his side, and Joey Bishop and Frank Sinatra also in it. So I guess the whole thing is doomed before it starts.

By Charlie

I would actually like to see vocally talented non-celebritys, people that can really sing and act, placed in these roles. Watching Helena Bonham Carter play Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, simply because she's married to the director was truly a horrorshow.

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