Natalie Portman to play Anne Boleyn w/Scarlett Johansson

pacific breeze · July 21st, 2006, 07:33 PM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5198470.stm

Portman to star in Boleyn film

Scarlett Johansson will play Anne Boleyn's sister Mary

Lost in Translation actress Scarlett Johansson is to star in a BBC film inspired by the life of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII.

The Other Boleyn Girl is based on a novel about the power struggles in the Boleyn family - in particular between Anne and her elder sister, Mary.

Johansson will play Mary, while Anne will be played by Natalie Portman.

The £20m film will be directed by Justin Chadwick, the director behind the BBC's mini-series Bleak House.

The film is the second version of Philippa Gregory's book to be made by the BBC. The first was made in 2003 and starred Natasha McElhone as Mary Boleyn.

The film traces the Boleyn family struggles after Mary Boleyn, who is already married, becomes the mistress of King Henry VIII and bears him two children.

Her sister Anne becomes the king's new favourite while Mary is in confinement.

After Anne's death, Mary manages to survive her family's power-hungry machinations and remarries.

Australian actor Eric Bana is expected to play King Henry. The film will begin shooting in October.

The film is one of a raft of new projects announced by BBC Films.

Cate Blanchett and Dame Judi Dench star in Notes on a Scandal, based on the novel by Zoe Heller, while Naomi Watts and Viggo Mortensen will appear in sex-trafficking drama Eastern Promises.

"There is an unprecedented range of international talent attracted to our films at the moment," David Thompson, head of BBC Films, told the Guardian.

Lobelia · July 21st, 2006, 07:37 PM

So, did Anne really have a sister named Mary? Is this based in fact at all? Guess I could google....

I am totally turned on by historical films. I will like this one better if it's at least partially true.

pacific breeze · July 21st, 2006, 07:47 PM

Yes, it's true. http://englishhistory.net/tudor/citizens/boleyn.html

Lobelia · July 21st, 2006, 07:48 PM

All righty then. I'm excited about this one. I'll have to study up before it comes out.

Cate · July 21st, 2006, 07:49 PM

Eric Bana is going to play him? Obviously, this is a younger, thinner, hotter Henry!

Somerset · July 21st, 2006, 08:27 PM

Oh, crappy English accents and glaringly obvious oscar bait, I couldn't possibly be more excited.

firecrotch · July 21st, 2006, 09:42 PM

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Sounds like good stuff!

However, I am not a big ScarJo fan. Mary Boleyn was prettier than her sister Anne Boleyn, so me thinks that Natalie Portman should be Mary, not Anne.

Rogue · July 22nd, 2006, 07:20 AM

Mary was one of the reasons Anne and Henry ever met; Mary became his mistress, and in trying to raise the family somewhat, Anne became a lady in waiting to Queen Catherine. Henry had quite a thing for getting with the maid of his (current) wife.

Thing is; they already did this premise as a mini series on the BBC about a year ago; an adaptation on the book from Mary's viewpoint. Why would they do the same series again, just with Hollywood actors, within two years?

Cleopatra · July 22nd, 2006, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue

Mary was one of the reasons Anne and Henry ever met; Mary became his mistress, and in trying to raise the family somewhat, Anne became a lady in waiting to Queen Catherine. Henry had quite a thing for getting with the maid of his (current) wife.

Thing is; they already did this premise as a mini series on the BBC about a year ago; an adaptation on the book from Mary's viewpoint. Why would they do the same series again, just with Hollywood actors, within two years?

Also interesting: Mary's children were very close to and held important posts under Elizabeth I. One or more of Mary's children were rumored to be Henry's.

cocainekate · July 22nd, 2006, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firecrotch

Mary Boleyn was prettier than her sister Anne Boleyn, so me thinks that Natalie Portman should be Mary, not Anne.

It sounds like Mary will be the lead role, so hopefully they want the better actress to play the lead. I guess Anne must have had the personality of a block of wood.

But I love the idea of casting those two together. Those bitches will tear each other apart.

Cleopatra · July 22nd, 2006, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cocainekate

It sounds like Mary will be the lead role, so hopefully they want the better actress to play the lead. I guess Anne must have had the personality of a block of wood.

But I love the idea of casting those two together. Those bitches will tear each other apart.

Luna · July 22nd, 2006, 02:25 PM

I love period films involving royalty. Looking forward to it.

Pandora · July 22nd, 2006, 05:52 PM

I can't stand either one of those chicks. One is barely tolerable, but the two of them together??? It's just too much!

Daphne · July 22nd, 2006, 08:54 PM

I'm looking forward to it. Anne of a Thousand Days is also a great film about Anne Boleyn, for anyone interested.

Chalet · July 22nd, 2006, 10:14 PM

I'm laughing. It's like when Gwyneth was in Shakespeare in Love. Those so called actresses have no chops.