LIZA MINNELLI
Thought for the day: I’d love to see Liza Minnelli as Norma in a film version of Sunset Boulevard, however unlikely a casting that might be. If she was able to sing the role with whatever help the studio could offer, she would be magnificent.
Any thoughts?
Musical Cyberspace 
Debra Byrne would be sensational, but – as you said – not enough selling power, unfortunately. Her acting and her vocals are unmatched in Norma, in my personal opinion, of course. Marni Nixon!?!?!? Oh my…
Liza will most definitely be the film Norma. She is the friggin’ best choice and I predict another Oscar for her when she plays the role! 😀
I just wanted to mention someone that hadn’t been mentioned. What about Madonna? Besides, we know that Madonna can act like a first class bitch, because we’ve seen Evita. That’s no offence to her, because that was part of her act. 8)
I have not seen the musical, but I have the Glenn Close recording which I think is awesome, so I am rooting for her.
I really hope she gets the part, even though it’s a tough score and her voice isn’t what it was. I still think she’d be unforgettable – she can be larger then life but still bring a human quality to Norma. I saw Betty Buckley do the role on Broadway and was blown away but I’m sure they wouldn’t let her do it.
I think it should be Glenn Close. She is not the best singer but a top actress. She would be a great Norma. What about Elaine Paige? She was great in the London production.
If Sunset Blvd were made into a musical movie (a la Chicago/Phantom) then, yes, Liza would be an amazing Norma in character and voice. They can easily enhance her voice post production. Plus – like Gloria Swanson – she IS Norma. Gloria Swanson, a long forgotten but once famous actress longing for her big return played Norma – the same person. Liza, a once massive icon of stage and screen who still believes she’s got it and her popularity has never dropped and who loves acting and being in front of an audience could play Norma – the same person.
All this discussion is pretty pointless now with the news that Glenn Close has been signed for the movie.
Yeah, I found out about the movie about 20 minutes after I made the above post. 😛
Personally, I love Liza Minnelli. Cabaret – I mean, come on. But i do not think that right now she would be the right choice anyway. After reading in several places that Glenn Close has been signed for the role, I am not disappointed at all. I like Glenn as Norma and think she will do well for the film. I’m more concerned really about who’s playing Joe – not Ewan McGregor, please.