Saturday, December 14, 2024

Emma Thompson Will Play Mrs. Trunchbull in Movie “Matilda,” Even Though Men Have Always Played the Role on Stage

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Harvey Fierstein, stand down.

Emma Thompson has been cast as evil Mrs. Trunchbull, the deliciously malicious central antagonist in the movie version of Broadway’s “Matilda.”

This decision is despite men having played the part on stage traditionally. Bertie Carvel was nominated for a Tony Award in the original 2013 production. His replacements during the four year run included Bryce Ryness, Christopher Sieber, and Craig Bierko, and Chris Hoch. No ladies, only guys.

But Working Title, Netflix, and Matthew Warchus probably thought this was a safer way to go. They didn’t even consider John Travolta, who went full on drag for the “Hairspray” movie.

You know that Billy Porter and Eddie Izzard would have given anything to take this part.

Eleven year old Alisha Weir has been cast as the title character.

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

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