Casting a Live Action Lady and the Tramp
It was reported earlier yesterday that Disney would be developing a live-action Lady and the Tramp movie, obviously hoping to carve off some of the success earned by 2016’s The Jungle Book. Directed by Charlie Bean and written by Andrew Bujalski, the release is slated as part of a handful of films going direct to Disney’s upcoming, still unnamed streaming service in 2019.
Virtually nothing else is known, but we thought it would be fun to throw out a few celebs that could be perfect to voice the canines and other fuzzy filmsters introduced in 1955.
Lady and her Tramp
The titular pups: a pampered pure-bred Cocker Spaniel and the sly mutt she falls for are a unique coupling. After mulling it about for a bit and throwing out names here and there, the perfect couple came to mind and locked. Emily Blunt and her real life hubby John Krasinski! Their Hollywood personas and natural chemistry fit their animated counterparts perfectly, from John’s ability to convince anyone of anything with just a glance to Emily’s prim and properness.
Emily and John as Lady and her Tramp
Jock
A Scotty by any other name just wouldn’t be the same. Jock is the father figure of sorts to Lady, suspect of all riff-raff that might come along to be her suitor. A caring sort, but one whose got a little bite in him when the time calls for it. Though lacking in a natural Scottish accent, perhaps turning to another John, this time of the Lithgow persuasion. He has those sweet fatherly, smooth vocals that can turn downright frightening, as he has playing Winston Churchill on The Crown.
John Lithgow as Jock
Si and Am (The Siamese Cats)
These hi-pitched hi-jinx-ers played a small, but memorable role in the animated film, setting off a series of events that gets Lady out of the house and into more trouble that she ever wanted. Originally voiced by the immensely talented Peggy Lee, I’d love to see another immensely talented individual take a swing at these twins: Ken Jeong. His high energy and over-the-top voices would bring a ton of character to this couple of felonious felines if they sounded like The Hangover‘s Mr. Chow.
Ken Jeong as the Siamese Cats
Peg
Another Peggy Lee character, Peg is a Pekingese who’s been around the block a few times (and ended up in the pound). Her melodic warning to Lady about Tramp’s reputation is a smoky, seductive sonnet that I would LOVE to hear Annie Potts take on.
Annie Potts as Peg
Tony and Joe
You might not immediately recognize the names, but you’re not likely to forget their love song ‘Bella Notte‘. The Italian chef stereotypes serenade Lady and Tramp in a back alley as the two canines chow down on spaghetti during one of the most famous animated sequences of all time. Two of only a few actual humans in the cast, those chosen to play Tony and Joe would have their actual faces appear on-screen. Now, it might be a stretch, but try to imagine: Key and Peele. Right?!?! The comedy duo would leave em wanting more for certain, even if they don’t exactly fit the “established” look.
Key and Peele as Tony and Joe
And the rest
There are plenty of other characters both furry and human: Trusty the bloodhound, Darling and Jim Dear, Aunt Sarah, Mr. Busy the Beaver, Dachsie, Toughy, Bulldog and more. Got ideas on their casting? Think you can do better on the mainstays above? Leave your comments below.
