Yesterday the Twitter world was aflutter over the news that Lifetime is going to make an all Black version of 1989 hit film Steel Magnolias, itself based on a hit Broadway play. The movie starred some of the best actress of  the time and some reliable actors as well. Nathaniel Rodgers of The Film Experience already posed this question but I thought it would be fun to analyze who I would cast in these roles.

The Women

M’Lynn (Sally Field) – Lynn Whitfield
I initially thought of Viola Davis for this role, but I decided to go with Lynn Whitfield because she’s a great actress who we don’t see too often. She’s great at grounding the hysterics of a character in realness (see Eve’s Bayou) and I’d love to see her tackle that breakdown scene.
Alt: Viola Davis

Truvy (Dolly Parton) – Queen Latifah
This role has Queen Latifah written all over it. She can emanate warmth when necessary and has the right amount of sass to not get lost in the actress shuffle.
Alt: Loretta Devine

Ouiser (Shirley MacLaine) – Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi could use a great return to acting and this role of a curmudgeon is comedy gold.
Alt: Angela Bassett (she can do snobbery with the best of them)

Annelle (Darryl Hannah) – Gabourey Sidibe
This was a tough one to cast but I would love the non-traditional casting of someone like Gabourey Sidibe in the role. She’s done deglam (Precious), comedy (The Big C), and has a great personality. I am laughing already at the thought of her mentioning how her personal issues will not deter her ability to do good hair.
Alt: Taraji P. Henson

Clairee (Olympia Dukakis) – Phyilcia Rashad
Phylicia MUST play Clairee. That is all.
Alt: none, I’ve cast this role perfectly

Shelby (Julia Roberts) – Jurnee Smolett
I’d love to see a reunion between Eve’s Bayou Mom and Daughter for this movie. Jurnee is at the right age and sex symbol status to have this role, and she radiates warmth, something very necessary to play Shelby
Alt: Sanaa Lathan (if they want to go slightly older)

The Men

Drum (Tom Skerritt) – Ruben Santiago-Hudson
He has a great presence about him so he wouldn’t fade into the background with all these women. But he’s a character actor, so he’d have no problem letting other take the lead.
Alt: Dennis Haysbert

Jackson (Dylan McDermott) – Anthony Mackie
Anthony is as talented an actor as I have seen and he knows how to make the most of limited screen time. Plus he’s a great crier.
Alt: Lance Gross