Thursday, October 30, 2008

Sally Forth On Film

Updated: 10/31/08
The Sally Forth Expo was a big success. Every rabid fan of the coolest working mom in comics was there. The big announcement was that Sally and her family and friends will be following in Garfield’s illustrious pawprints and make the move to the big screen. While a few minor details need to be worked out like filming, casting, financing, and negotiating rights, the producers feel confident that they can work with King Features Syndicate to get Francesco Marciuliano’s indentured servitude contract transferred cheaply enough to get the script on the way.

And while there was a lot of buzz, the titular (my very favorite word) role has yet to be cast. Unfortunately some very talented stars had to be crossed off the list because they are getting a little long in the tooth. Sorry, Sally Fields. As much as we would love to make the tagline “And Sally starring as Sally”, the powers to be decided that Gidget just didn’t work it with the target Atari Generation demographic.

But here are the actresses that have made the short list:

Terri Hatcher
Having never made the successful jump to the big screen, this desperate housewife would make a very sexy mom to a big screen Hilary. Less convincing would be that any potential Ted Forth could have landed her.

Sela Ward
While at 53, she is a little older than Sally’s youthful 40, her canonical performance as a harried divorcĂ©e in "Once And Again" keeps her in the running. If Meryl Streep can play a near-convincing aging hippie in Mamma Mia, Ward could pull off baby-boomer Sally.

Anne Hathaway
As she outgrows The Princess Diaries, Hathaway is breaking out of her Disney-fied squeaky clean roles. While a little young for the part, she has the lanky awkward figure necessary to play the smirky businesswoman.

Alan Cumming
This thespian chameleon can disappear into any role, and who better to mix Sally’s soft femininity and savvy business persona into a single character.

Angelina Jolie
If you are going to dream, dream big. And is it really that big of a stretch from Mrs. Smith to Mrs. Forth? This could be her return to the Oscar podium.

Lauren Graham
I've added this write-in candidate as late entry. The Gilmore Mom knows plenty about cracking-wise and making obscure pop cultural references. Her TV character even had a toxic mom to deal with. What better experience could you ask for?


I haven’t done a poll in a while, so make your picks and we will forward on our results to the studio. (Be patient with the vote counter, it lags a little, but your vote is being counted. You get what you pay for.)




BlatantCommentWhoring™: Any one else deserve to sit on the casting couch?

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

I cast my vote for Sela Ward after a bit of deliberating between her and Teri Hatcher, but let's face it, Sally is in many ways the least important role here. All she really has to do is be able to be sarcastic and approximate the sardonic smirk o' doom. Sally is merely the focus around which the other characters orbit, providing the actual entertainment. Casting Ted is much more important and much more difficult (how many actors have those impossibly tiny and feminine hands?).

yellojkt said...

Maybe Alan Cumming can play both parts?

Anonymous said...

I voted for Alan Cumming. Everyone else's bosoms are too big.

Anonymous said...

I like the sound of Cumming Forth. You can't can that resemblence.

Anonymous said...

Naw, lighten up Alan's hair and cast him as Ted. I'd like that. A lot.

Anonymous said...

Tina Fey. 'Nuff said.

Thumper said...

Let's think outside the box. Cast Whoppi Goldberg.

Mooselet said...

Had to go with Sela Ward - Teri's cleavage is just too distracting and I'm pretty sure the sight Sally Forth's cleavage is a sign of the Apocalypse. Really, it's in the Bible.

But I do think Alan would be a great Ted.

My verification is 'maniff'. Hee!

TBG said...

I think Scotty was right... Lauren Graham IS Sally Forth.

Anonymous said...

Yes, Lauren Graham!

Anonymous said...

Write-in for Miss Sally Field.

Rays profile said...

Yes to Lauren Graham.

And, although nobody's asked...Hugh Grant as Ted.

Anonymous said...

Sela Ward is pretty good, but as much as I like her, she might be a little long in the tooth.

I'm thinking Jami Gertz might make a good write-in candidate.

Anonymous said...

Teri Hatcher. We all know Sally needs a makeover. And Reese Witherspoon can play Ted.

ctsheehy said...

Lauren Graham as Sally - And we'll cast against type and get her Bad Santa co-star Billy Bob Thorton as Hillary and Paris Hilton as Ted (well, he does have vapid blond tendencies...)

DF said...

Joan Cusack. Clearly Joan Cusack.

Anonymous said...

Anne Hathaway is my favorite. She's not just an excellent actress, she is beautiful and nice and humble! She's like a Generic Viagra , very common, but irresistible!

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