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Michelle Williams to Play Marilyn Monroe, Not Johansson?

by Alex Billington
December 4, 2009
Source: Production Weekly

But she is a better actress, right? Production Weekly is reporting that Michelle Williams (Synecdoche New York, Brokeback Mountain) is "in talks" to star as Marilyn Monroe in Simon Curtis' My Week With Marilyn. According to early reports, Scarlett Johansson was also rumored for the role, but I think that was more speculation based on her looks. This is the first time we've heard this, so I won't take it as confirmed casting, but it seems like it could be legit. This must be a minor indie film, because My Week With Marilyn isn't even listed on IMDb yet, which means it's a very new project. Shooting is scheduled to begin in June.

As far as we know, this is based on Colin Clark's book My Week With Marilyn. Clark was hired as the "third assistant director" on Laurence Olivier's The Prince and the Showgirl, who put him in charge of keeping an eye on Marilyn while she was in London shooting in 1957. I'm pretty sure almost everyone is already familiar with Marilyn Monroe, so I don't think she needs an introduction. Monroe herself has starred in movies, and been mocked on screen plenty of times, but I think this is the first time we'll see an actual biopic about her. Or rather, a film that is about her as herself, and not her as a character (if that makes sense). We'll keep you updated on this one for sure, so stay tuned. What do you think? Is Michelle Williams a good choice?

Filed under Casting, Movie News, Rumors

From around the web:

Rick

I think it would be a fantastic choice. I've always thought she was an amazing actress.
Greedo

James Van Der Beek to play Joe Di Maggio.
Bauzer

ack! Sweet Jesus really? She isn't nearly attractive enough to play one of the biggest sex icons in history. I never thought she was all that pretty. She might be a good actress, I'll give her that. But if she plays Marilyn Monroe.. Sheesh. I couldn't say that even Scarlet Johansson would have done any better. I'm sure there is some up and coming starlet that can do this role, look and act just like her.
Taylor

The way you wrote that headline you're writing 'Michelle Williams to play Marilyn Monroe rather than playing Johansson?' instead of 'Michelle Williams, rather than Johansson, to play Marilyn Monroe?', which is what you meant.
Quanah

She's a great actress. I think it's less important that someone become a caricature of Marilyn than it is to capture all the emotions of Marilyn. I'd challenge people to watch Anthony Hopkins in Nixon and you'll understand what I mean. I've seen the TV movie "Blonde" from 2001 starring Poppy Montgomery. Simply awful. I don't think the public needs another film about Marilyn Monroe that comes off as some over dramatized celebration of ditzy. Marilyn Monroe was a vulnerable, sad woman with a tough past who suffered most of her career from type-casting and sexual stereotypes. You need someone who can act and has the public respect before taking on such a role.
coswell

I think Michelle Williams deserves a big role like that. Michelle Williams is cute, sexy and interesting. And im pretty sure she would do a super Marilyn.
anonymous

Michelle Williams is not suitable to play Marilyn Monroe. Let me tell you I won't be thinking about Marilyn. She is talented but not for representing a legend like Marilyn Monroe. Why have articles said she needs time to think about taking the role. It's not a role suitable for her. Michelle is cute and most of her photos are pretty but to me she is not movie star sexy. Better choices here. KRISTY SWANSON HEATHER GRAHAM SIENNA MILLER DREW BARRYMORE NAOMI WATTS
anonymous

I would never want this plain and boring woman to play Marilyn Monroe. I do not believe that Heath Ledger found her sexy either. He was trapped with her on the set of Brokeback Mountain and she took advantage of how bored he was.