Book "Help" / movie cast

[mainegal]

The Cast of THE HELP

Back in March, People magazine speculated on a dream cast for the movie of The Help. Now that the movie is shooting in Greenwood, Mississippi, People has to admit that none of their choices made it.

Comparisons, below. When we will see the results of the casting? So far, nothing more definite than “sometime next year.”

Role: Eugenia ‘Skeeter’ Phelan — Old Miss grad who returns home to Jackson, Miss. in the ’60’s and decides to enlist the local maids in writing a book that reveals what they really think of their employers.
People pick: Claire Danes
Role went to: Emma Stone.
Recently appeared in: Ghosts of Girlfriends Past

Role: Aibileen; the first maid to join the project. A strong and wise woman who has raised 17 of the local community’s children.
People pick: Oprah Winfrey
Role went to: Viola Davis
Known for: Received Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress in Doubt (2006)

Role: Hilly Holbrook, the local mean girl and Skeeter’s nemesis
People pick: Anne Hathaway
Role went to: Bryce Dallas Howard
Recently played: the villainous vampire Victoria in The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2006)

Role: Minny, Abilene’s good friend. Unable to hold her tongue, and, as a result, a job as a maid, she winds up working on the sly for Jackson newcomer Celia Foote, who is desperate to make her husband think she can cook and clean.
People pick: Mo’Nique
Role went to: Octavia Spencer
Recently appeared in: the TV series Ugly Betty

Role: Celia Foote
People pick: Scarlett Johansson
Role went to: Jessica Chastain
Recently appeared in: several TV series and a bit part in the recent Winter’s Bone

 

[*NikkiBell*]

We talked about this during our book club discussion. I am so very excited to see the film. The Help was one of my favorite books this year.

 

[kahblue]

This was my last bookclub book and we loved it! We, too, discussed who might play each part. Personlly, I'm not too impressed with the cast. I really wanted a few big names. Oh well, I'll see for sure.

 

[MMS1125]

I wish they had picked some bigger names for the roles but I loved the book and will probably see the movie as well!

 

[PeterPan09]

I love Viola Davis! That's a great pick, but I do wish that they had gotten some of the other people's choices for the roles like Anne Hathaway and Mo'nique.

It's going to be hard to do this book justice on film. So many of us have read it and loved it and will be expecting a lot from it.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I'm really disappointed with the choices. I think they could have done a much better job with the casting especially knowing how popular the book has become.

 

[mainegal]

Maybe it is a lower budget / indie film?

Or maybe they didn't want to big name stars to over-shadow the great story?