The first film, My Week With Marilyn, is based on the book of the same name that chronicled Monroe’s time in England in 1957 shooting The Prince and the Showgirl, which co-starred Laurence Olivier. The book was written by production assistant Colin Clark. This film will star Michelle Williams as Monroe. Scarlett Johansson was originally offered the part but she turned it down.
The other movie will be based on the novel Blonde, written by Joyce Carol Oates, and is referred to as “imaginary Marilyn Monroe memoir.” Naomi Watts will play Monroe in this film.
Photo: (Left to Right): Naomi Watts, Marilyn Monroe, Michelle Williams.
The totally fictionalized 'novel' 'Blonde' should never have been made into a lurid mini series as it was, so why film it again? Some bio pics however, based on true facts work. The recent 'Grey Garden's' being a good example of great casting acting and authenticity. Jessica Lang also scored in two other bio pics early in her career, 'Frances' as Frances Farmer, and 'Sweet Dreams' as Patsy Cline. Thank goodness they never made the proposed film on the life of Marlene Dietrich with Gwyneth Paltrow. Can you imagine a more insipid actress trying to play such a legend and beauty? …The story for 'My Week With Marilyn' is an interesting time in Marilyn's life, but Michelle Williams looks nothing like Monroe. These actresses don't have suitable facial characteristics, they don't have heavy lidded eyes like Marlene and Marilyn for a start. For a bio pic to work..you must believe the actor is the person they are playing. We know Marilyn's face too well for any biographical film to really succeed. As far as I'm concerned, the only person who ever came close to looking and sounding like Marilyn was female impersonator Jimmy James. Have a look on Youtube…he is uncanny.
Robbie, thanks for you insightful comments. I couldn't agree with you more.
I agree with Robbie on all counts! I heard the Dietrich biopic was still in the works. God, I hope not. Gwyneth Paltrow as Marlene is a F***ING joke. Jimmy James is grand!