September 20th, 2002 - According to today's Hollywood Reporter, Tom Cruise's ex has "expressed interest" in playing twitchy-nosed good witch Samantha Stephens in the bedeviled big-screen version of the oft-rerun sitcom. It's both a new story, and an old one. Kidman's name has been linked before to Bewitched. Women's Day magazine reported all the way back in 1996 that the onetime Practical Magic star wanted to conjure up the role.

But today, Kidman's rep said she could not confirm the report in the Reporter , adding that the trade paper item was the first she'd heard of her client becoming Bewitched. The Reporter story concedes the film is still in the drawing-board stage. (Where Bewitched is concerned, what else is new?) The project is
a longtime resident of development. After all these years, there's still no director, still no script (although a new one's being cranked out). There's also no Darrin, Samantha's mortal ad-exec hubby. Mike Myers reportedly tops Columbia Pictures' wish list--Columbia being the studio behind the would-be flick.

Talk about a feature version of Bewitched, which enjoyed a 1964-72, Emmy-winning run on ABC, dates back (at least) to the mid-1990s. According to Coming Attractions by Corona, almost-Samanthas have included Alicia Silverstone and Lisa Kudrow (reportedly promised the role, then reduced to tears when Kidman interjected herself). Would-be Darrins have included: Jim Carrey, Kelsey Grammer and Robert Picardo.

Grammer and Picardo would have played Darrin Stephens in the same movie, Corona says, a gag harkening back to the series in which Samantha's TV hubby Darrin #1 (Dick York), was replaced in mid-run by Darrin #2 (Dick Sargent). York, Sargent and Elizabeth Montgomery (the original Samantha) have all died since the series ended, as has Agnes Moorehead (Samantha's meddling mother Endora), meaning the one certain thing about a Bewitched movie is that the number of cameos by the show's original stars would be sadly low. About the only Bewitched TV players still around are Erin Murphy and David and Greg Lawrence, the child actors who played Sam and Darren's offspring, Tabitha and Adam (a role shared by the Lawrence brothers).

Samantha Stephens in her future or no, Kidman is a lock to next be seen as writer Virginia Woolf in the Oscar-hopeful art-house drama The Hours, opening December 27.

I hope its true about Kidman. I don't like the idea of Mike Myers for Darrin as I think it would throw the movie off kilter. I think Matthew Broderick or Matthew Perry would make good Darrins. But who could take Agnes Moorehead's place as Endora? that is a toughie.

I agree, I think Matthew Broderick would make a good Darrin. Call me crazy but I think Julia Roberts would be good as Samantha. Nothing will ever live up to the original, but it will be interesting to see this movie (if it's made) and the perspective it takes, and what they do with the characters. As for someone to play Endora that is a tough one, Agnes Moorehead was one of a kind. I'm thinking perhaps...Maggie Smith..?

No one could replace Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha or indeed Agnes Moorehead as Endora. Nicole Kidman I dont think is either talented enough or pretty enough to play Samantha the way Elizabeth did.
What about Joan Collins as Endora? if there has to be a remake

I agree with Novarro that Liz, Agnes, or Dick can't really be replaced. However if they do a remake I think Nicole is certainly as good as we can hope for. She is talented and beautiful. The suggestion about Joan Collins as Endora is an interesting one, but I think she would end up portraying Endora as a bitch which (witch) she (Endora) certainly was not. Endora was a loving mother to Samantha who felt that Darrin was trying to mold her daughter into someone she wasn't and wouldn't accept her daughter for who she was. She did some terrible things to Darrin, but in many cases what the spells she cast on him were to prove that mortals were basically hypocrites who preached one thing and then did another.

I think it should be a younger cast, like Reese Witherspoon as Samantha, Ryan Phillipe as Darrin and Susan Sarandon as Endora

:happyface I think Nicole would make a good Samantha ! I'd rather see Lisa Kudrow play the lead in ''I Dream of Jeannie'' if they make a movie - she'd be great ! So would Reese Witherspoon come to think of it ... I cant see Julia Roberts as Samantha at all - just doesnt seem the type

Alright, Hollywood, I want this Bewitched movie out by Spring of 2003! Meg Ryan should be Samantha and definitely Jim Carey as Darrin (with a cameo of Kevin Bacon as Darrin #2 towards the end). What's taking them so long? !

Originally posted by moon627:
I cant see Julia Roberts as Samantha at all - just doesnt seem the type
You're right, I don't know why I said that, I think I had just seen her on the news or something, lol, and she was the first to pop into my head. But now that I think about it, she isn't the type. I agree with shocolah, that is a great idea for a cast. I do still think that Maggie Smith should be Endora, and I still say nothing will EVER be as good as the original.

I can definitely see Meg Ryan as Samantha ! And Jim Carrey would be the PERFECT Darren - wow ! Oh Please Please Please make it so !!! :wave:

Why remake a classic?????? I say leave it alone. It would NEVER recapture the magic of the series and would turn out like that HORRIBLE movie version of "Lost in Space" ..some special effects filled nightmare that was nothing like the original. a complete diseaster.
The actors and actresses who performed in Bewitched are irreplacable and it would be such a let down to be having other performers in their roles.

I think Nicole is a sure deadringer for Samantha. Surely just as good a Christine Taylor as Marcia in the Brady Bunch movies. Jim Carrey would be perfect for the role of Darrin. His comical timing and physical comedy skills will add alot to the movie. As for the role ENDORA, I think one of the Dynasty alumnis would suffice. Joan Collins who played Alexis on Dynasty( now plays Alexandra on 'Guiding Light') would be good. She was such a vamp on that show, and as Endora she would sure be wicked indeed

Do you guys know how happy I am?? well.. not exactly the mike myers part.. but the Nicole part!! AHH! hehe I cant wait for this movie!and plus, i highly doubt it would be bad if nicole is in it.. shes an amazing actress :)

-Ashley

I heard on the news the other day that Nicole Kidman is definitely going to play Samantha. I think she would be great: she has that "Samantha" look about her, with her arched eyebrows, and haircolor.

Someone else up in a prior post must have been reading my mind--I TOO think Maggie Smith could play a WONDERFUL Endora!! She has that regal tone of voice, and if they do up her hair and makeup, I think she could come as close to a dead ringer as possible.

I think Jim Carrey would make PERFECT Darrin!! He can get that wild-eyed, crazy, exxagerrated look on his face at times. As a matter of fact, when I first saw his movie, "The Mask", I commented to my husband that he reminded me of Darrin.

Has anyone remembered that Bernard Fox (Dr. Bombay) is still alive? At least he was a couple years ago when he was in "Titanic" and "The Mummy."

You know who would make a GREAT Abner Kravitz? That guy who is Raymond's father on "Everybody Loves Raymond!" (I forgot his name). He's perfect, even with his deadpan, straight-faced retorts!

As for Gladys Kravitz (the first one, not the new one), I can't figure that one--I'll have to keep thinking. It would be hard to get anyone who could yell, "ABNER come here to the window and look!" better than that lady could! Also, I need to try to figure out who could play Larry Tate.

Later!

Originally posted by Elizabeth B.
You know who would make a GREAT Abner Kravitz? That guy who is Raymond's father on "Everybody Loves Raymond!" (I forgot his name). He'd be perfect, even with his deadpan, straight-faced retorts!
You are soooo right! Peter Boyle would be perfect. And its nice to know someone else agrees with me about Maggie Smith playing Endora:) I still don't know about Nicole Kidman as Samantha, she does have the right look........ maybe its just that I've never been a really big fan of hers......... but I am a HUGE fan of Elizabeth Montgomery and its hard for me to picture anyone else in that role....anyways, I do like Jim Carrey as Darrin, and I think someone mentioned this before, it would be really funny if they switched Darrins halfway through the movie. Gladys Kravitz is a tough one, maybe Ann Guilbert or Andrea Martin. Of course if you've read earlier posts, you'll know I'm no good at this, lol, so forgive me if its a bad idea:D

Oh my goodness--switching Darrins halfway through the movie would be a riot!!! I wonder who the 2nd Darrin would be, though?

I still can't think up a Larry Tate or Gladys Kravitz!

One of my favorite lines from the Kravitz's:

Gladys: Abner, what would you do if someone tried to seduce me?

Abner: I'd put a coin in his cup, pat his seeing-eye dog, and walk away!

Or something like that--I can't remember the EXACT words, but it was funny! Those two crack me up!

Originally posted by Elizabeth B.:
Gladys: Abner, what would you do if someone tried to seduce me?
Abner: I'd put a coin in his cup, pat his seeing-eye dog, and walk away!

:lol: :lol:
I remember that one!!

LOL What about Steve Martin as Larry Tate.. I cant think of a Gladys either!! I wonder who would play Dr. Bombay too.. and Mr. Kravitz. GOSH I am so excited for this movie!!


-ash

Yeah--Steve Martin as Larry Tate! I never thought of that!

I still think that guy who plays Ray Romano's dad would be a perfect Abner.

Gladys, hmmm--you know who might make a good Gladys? That gal who used to play the spastic cheerleader on Saturday Night Live. She might need a little aging makeup, though. I can't remember her name. I don't know--she might be too young.

Uncle Arthur would be perfect played by that guy on Spin City--what is his name? He also was on The Wonder Years....I just know I'll think of it after I close this post! :) Oh, Yeah!!!! Richard Kind!!!

Originally posted by Elizabeth B.
Yeah--Steve Martin as Larry Tate! I never thought of that!

I still think that guy who plays Ray Romano's dad would be a perfect Abner.

Gladys, hmmm--you know who might make a good Gladys? That gal who used to play the spastic cheerleader on Saturday Night Live. She might need a little aging makeup, though. I can't remember her name. I don't know--she might be too young.

Uncle Arthur would be perfect played by that guy on Spin City--what is his name? He also was on The Wonder Years....I just know I'll think of it after I close this post! :) Oh, Yeah!!!! Richard Kind!!!


LOL I know who you are talking about! He would be perfect :) I am still trying to figure out who would play Gladys.. I wonder who they are going to pick. I wonder who they are going to pick for Endora too.. now THAT is KILLING me! LOL

-Ashley

I think Carol Burnett would be a great Gladys Kravitz.

Yeah!!!!!!!

Carol Burnett would be perfect!!!!

Originally posted by Elizabeth B.
Yeah!!!!!!!

Carol Burnett would be perfect!!!!

Definatly!!! :happyface I could so see her saying "OH ABNER!!" lol!

-Ash

:lol: Id love for them to switch Darrins halfway....Id die!! LOL

I cant wait for this to come out, and all Im hoping is that they make it good. The Brady Bunch movies were good, but look @ Leave It To Beaver..Ugh..well IMO anyways. I really hope they get some of the original people who worked on it to help out! And, that they make references to the show! Or, what if they went from B&W to color after about 20 minutes because thats what the show did LOl. But, Id rather have it be just color.


Wait.. we need some other characters!
Tabitha-
Her Aunt (who collected doorknobs--my mind just drew a BLANK right now!)
Endora-
That othr guy.. played by Paul Lynde

All of a sudden.. I forget the names! But you know who Im talking about.

Originally posted by ¤MsConanOBrien¤
:lol: Id love for them to switch Darrins halfway....Id die!! LOL

I cant wait for this to come out, and all Im hoping is that they make it good. The Brady Bunch movies were good, but look @ Leave It To Beaver..Ugh..well IMO anyways. I really hope they get some of the original people who worked on it to help out! And, that they make references to the show! Or, what if they went from B&W to color after about 20 minutes because thats what the show did LOl. But, Id rather have it be just color.


Wait.. we need some other characters!
Tabitha-
Her Aunt (who collected doorknobs--my mind just drew a BLANK right now!)
Endora-
That othr guy.. played by Paul Lynde

All of a sudden.. I forget the names! But you know who Im talking about.

Hehe!! You are thinking of Aunt Clara and Dr. BomBay :)

I'm not sure why this thread was bumped up, the movie has already happened...and I was not pleased with the end result of it.

For me, the biggest mistake was the writers and producers apted to introduce brand new character names rather than Darrin and Samantha, and using the series as a retrospective for these new characters to play these rolls as a part of the plot...made this movie very weak. There were characters from the series this movie did not touch apon(like as mentioned Dr.Bombay, Sereena and Larry Tate).

While were discussing the character of Larry Tate...I mentioned in a different post, I thought Burt Reynolds would have made a very believable Larry.

Uh....pretty sure you're the one who bumped it up unless I'm missing something here. All other posts were from 2002. :lol:

There's going to be a Bewitched movie??!! I wonder who will play Darrin?

The Ted Bessell/Douglas Carter Beane version of "Bewitched" sounded like it would've been really good: NYT (http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B02E3DC1630F93BA35756C0A9639C8B63&pagewanted=all)

I think Ted really "got" the show. It's so sad that he passed before it came to fruition. I would've loved to have seen it or even read the script.

Now with the popularity of "Mad Men" bringing back that era into the national consciousness, and that "The Hulk" flop was redone to become "The Incredible Hulk" hit, I really think a "reboot" could work if the powers that be decided to do it.

I nominate Erin Murphy for the part of Samantha!!!