A slightly frumpy singleton grieving for the loss of her mother soars to fame after appearing on a national talent competition. She instantly becomes a worldwide digital sensation and "a role model for everyone who has a dream" (© Elaine Paige). Hollywood couldn't make this up any better than it is, and no changes are needed to the real-life script for Susan Boyle: The Movie.
Events might even be overtaking this edition of Casting the news, as reports claim that producers are putting together movie treatments about the Britain's Got Talent contestant who sang I Dreamed a Dream and became the "tonic of the nation" and an "overnight YouTube sensation". Plus Boyle herself has been approached for a non-acting part in the forthcoming musical movie Section B (her co-stars would include Cyndi Lauper and Tippi Hedren).
Trawling through my casting Rolodex, I can see that there is something about Susan that would be a nice fit for Brenda Fricker or Imelda Staunton (in her Vera Drake incarnation, not Harry Potter's Dolores Umbridge), but I just feel that to bring a touch of Hollywood magic to proceedings, justice can only be done by casting an American.
Hmm, Kathy Bates perhaps? Too much sass, maybe. Wild card: Sally Field. But my No 1 choice is Meryl Streep, for the following reasons:
1. Impeccable box-office appeal when it comes to musicals. See Mamma Mia!
2. Famed for accuracy with accents, so Susan's West Lothian burr won't be a problem.
3. Deftly navigated real-life roles in previous biopics. See Lindy Chamberlain, Karen Blixen, Karen Silkwood.
And Streep can be foxy when required. Don't forget that there is another side to Boyle, as her sultry rendition of Cry Me a River attests. She'll be singing the James Bond theme next.
And while there are a host of supporting cast members and cameo roles in Coming to the Boyle (or, I Dreamed a Dream, if you prefer) that need casting, there is only one choice for Simon Cowell. Step forward Michael Sheen.
Any real-life production attempting to cast other supporting players would probably be handicapped by the Pamplona-style stampede of Piers Morgan, Amanda Holden, Ant and Dec, Twitter-followers Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher et al, who would presumably demand to play themselves.
Thankfully, Casting the news operates under no such restrictions and neither need you. Your suggestions please.
