Keira Knightley is in talks to star in a remake of My Fair Lady, reports claim.
Columbia Pictures are planning to rework the musical, famously adapted for the screen in 1964, with Audrey Hepburn starring as Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle.
And while the Oscar-winning 60s version is already beloved by fans of musical theatre and of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion, on which it is based, producers Duncan Kenworthy and Sir Cameron Mackintosh are planning a new big screen version with Knightley in discussions to star.
According to Variety, Notting Hill producer Kenworthy plans to shoot the film in its original London locations of Covent Garden, Drury Lane, Tottenham Court Road and Wimpole Street as well as retaining its 1912 setting.
Sir Cameron - recently seen on British TV screens as part of talent contest I'd Do Anything, with contestants vying to play Nancy in his West End revival of Oliver! - has worked on two stage revivals of My Fair Lady, in both 1979 and 2001.
And with the 21st century show now touring the US, he said the story of Doolittle's transformation from loudmouth to lady "couldn't be more timely in a contemporary world obsessed with overnight celebrity."
And Kenworthy, who has worked with Knightley on Love Actually, added: "With 40 years of hindsight, we're confident that by setting these wonderful characters and brilliant songs in a more realistic context, and by exploring Eliza's emotional journey more fully, we will honour both Shaw and [score writer Alan] Lerner at the same time as engaging and entertaining contemporary audiences the world over."
Columbia refused to comment on potential casting and a start date for the film.
06/06/2008 12:32:02
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