Another intriguing idea I read is to have a white actor playing Herbie as someone oblivious. He loves Rose but he doesn't understand how hard it has been for her, as a Black woman trying to make her way without anybody else's help in this time period, which has contributed to her being so direct and aggressive. On a certain level, in the end, he just doesn't understand her. And her continuous fighting to be taken seriously in that era, which must have been exhausting, would lend even more resonance to "why did I do it, what did it get me?"
Some people on the Internet seem to think Paul Giamatti is getting cast as Herbie. I have no idea if that's wishful thinking that's gotten magnified, or if he can even sing, but that would be masterful casting. I hope it's true. |
