Recasting Singin’ In The Rain (If It Was Made Today)

What a glorious feeling it is to recall the brilliant, sensational glory of Singin’ in the Rain. Not only is the 1952 MGM musical one of the best in the history of its genre; it’s often considered one of the greatest movies ever made. Taking place at the turn from silent movies to the “talkies,” Singin’ in the Rain has a loose structure of a story that serves as a backdrop for some of the most iconic music and dance showcases ever to make it on screen.

As such, there’s room to remake it, if any filmmaker or studio should be bold. There are plenty of eras to satirize and celebrate, leaving the loose structure of the movie one that is ripe for a re-imagining.

10 Don: Jonathan Groff

The lead role of Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) would need to go to someone who can sing and dance like no one else. Naturally, it makes sense to go to the stage to find someone who could possibly be worthy to carry on Kelly’s legacy. Groff, of course, is well-known for his turn in theater’s Hamilton.

Jonathan Groff is the way to go. His voice is angelic and he clearly has talent. Plus, Groff would be able to take the role in a different direction, rather than simply trying to copy Kelly. Groff is an actor who has deserved a major leading part like this for some time now. (He proved he can carry a story, thanks to his dramatic Netflix turn.)

9 Kathy: Hailee Steinfeld

With a quaint romance existing between Don and Kathy (Debbie Reynolds), it was hard not to notice the twenty-year age difference between Kelly and Reynolds. Fortunately, Groff and Hailee Steinfeld are closer in age, but there’s no reason there needs to be a romance between these two characters at all.

As Steinfeld has proven on Dickinson, she is more than capable of creating new paths for characters considered to be largely traditional. Frankly, Kathy would just be a great opportunity for Steinfeld to showcase all of her talent.

8 Cosmo: Ewan McGregor

It would be a mistake to remake Singin’ In The Rain and not find room for Ewan McGregor, who has a truly remarkable singing voice. While he’d certainly crush the role of Don, the idea of him as Cosmo (Donald O’Connor) is a particularly thrilling one.

O’Connor had a ton of comedic fun in the role and McGregor can obviously emulate this sensibility. However, his casting might also provide the character of Cosmo with a belter of his own. There’s room for new music, too, after all. Turns in Moulin Rouge! on screen and Guys and Dolls on stage show McGregor can hold his own in soundscapes.

7 Lina: Saoirse Ronan

As Saoirse Ronan once proved on The Tonight Show, she has pipes of her own. But until we see how she can dance, it might be better to let her enhance the role of Lina (Jean Hagen), rather than strive for new heights as Kathy.

Ronan is one of the biggest stars of the moment, thanks to turns in the Oscar-nominated Lady Bird and Oscar-winning Little Women. But by casting her as Lina, it’d be a decision that would carve out room for four stars on the poster. Ronan has starred in coming-of-age movies and period dramas, meaning a musical must be next on her checklist.

6 R.F. Simpson: Benjamin Bratt

For the role of R.F. Simpson (Millard Mitchell), there has to be a slight uptick in age, considering he runs the fake “Monumental Picture” studio. Naturally, Benjamin Bratt could slot into this role with ease and would keep the charisma train rolling along.

Plus, Bratt joining the film would allow for an increased musical capacity from the Simpson character. To make this remake a show-stopping one, the ancillary casting has to be nailed, too. Bringing in Bratt to tackle this role (rather than more Pangborn, which is also welcome, to be honest) would cement reverence for previous eras of moviemaking, as the original did.

5 Zelda Zanders: Jasmine Cephas Jones

Zelda Zanders (Rita Moreno) is a minor role in Singin’ in the Rain, but as the original actress was able to elevate it, a re-cast needs someone able to live up to that legacy, and Jasmine Cephas Jones, known for her role as Peggy/Maria in Hamilton, would be a perfect choice.

It’s time for Jasmine Cephas Jones to continue her rise into super-stardom. Many Hamilton cast members have gone onto some high-profile works, and Jones herself deserves more time in the spotlight.

4 Roscoe Dexter: Winston Duke

Roscoe Dexter (Douglas Fowley) is the director within the movie (itself directed by Kelly and Stanley Donen). The temptation here is to engage in a bit of stunt casting, perhaps by bringing in Damien Chazelle, a modern musical director.

Instead, the more intriguing swing would be to shoot for Winston Duke, a charismatic personality who is on the rise in the industry. He’s turned up in Black Panther and Us, which already showcase his range, and this would be a great addition. Every actor’s IMDb needs a musical, after all.

3 Broadway Melody Dancer: Taylor Swift

In the original Singin’ in the Rain, the “Broadway Melody” number featured a small cameo from one of Hollywood’s classic song-and-dance talents, Cyd Charisse. This means there’s room in the remake for a cameo from a beloved artist who doesn’t necessarily demand a leading role.

Taylor Swift in this role could provide solid redemption from her last on-screen musical role, Cats. But it could also provide an opportunity for Swift to write some songs for the film, as she did with Cats (“Beautiful Ghosts” was the highlight).

2 Rod: Billy Eichner

1952’s version of the film featured a more minor character named Rod (King Donovan), who headed the publicity side of things. It might be type-casting to consider Billy Eichner for this part, but considering his time on the street, he could probably manage some PR crises.

Eichner could also help streak the film with a different sense of humor, balancing out some of its more earnest elements. Not to mention, he crooned well in The Lion King‘s remake.

1 Dora: Mindy Kaling

Dora (Madge Blake) is the gossip columnist in Singin’ in the Rain, who also occupies a more minor role in the movie. But the re-imagining will obviously have room for minor characters to have bigger parts, so it’s only logical to cast Mindy Kaling, who can help elevate the supporting crew of the film.

Kaling is a well-known presence from shows like The Office and ensemble pieces like Ocean’s Eight. Her humorous, warm demeanor could help soften a role that could too easily be portrayed as antiquated.

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