Because you hadda ask--let's cast the remake ;-)

Hi Jason - I love your dream casting suggestions!

Personally, I would love to see Judy Davis or Sigourney Weaver as Mercy Croft, as both play crisp,punctual, spiky and assertive frightfully well, and appear to have taken on some of Joan Crawford's charatceristics from the 40s and 50s. (Don't believe me? Play "Death and the Maiden" off against "Sudden Fear")

However, as an afterthought, if a maturer actress was sought out, either Vanessa Redgrave, Eileen Atkins (the original Childie from the London stage production!) or Maggie Smith as Mercy Croft: all are adept at scenery chewing! Redgrave because of her delicious turn as Joe Orton's campy agent, Peggy Ramsay. La Smith, because she has a devastating way with a line, a glance - she's been known to steal scenes from Lord Olivier - and plays cold efficiency with remarkable aplomb, and ironic poise. Atkins similarly to Smith, has a pinched look about her which would be perfect for a role as calculating as Mercy.
Further wonderful alternatives would be Diane Wiest, one of my favourite character actresses, for her sheer diverse range of 'types' from whimsical, to mumsy to neurotic, to harrassed, to capable and in control.

As for George, I'd love to see Pam Ferris: after seeing her butch bull-dyke headmistress in Matilda, she'd be simply devastating. And having already appeared in a country drama, similar to Applehurst, her appearance could be a sardonic tongue in cheek reference to it!
If Pam were to say 'no', then Stephanie Coles would be the next best thing! She's the ideal age too, and a has a gruff, blustery manner to her which makes her ideal, reminding me of the artist, Maggie Hambling. I could imagine her smoking a cheroot whilst in tweeds! Part of George's charm is that she is so open about her sexuality, whereas everyone else around her is - the quote Vito Russo - a bunch of fakes. honesty and candour are surely required.

Childie must be early 30s, but be able to look childlike, be utterly femme, like Kate Moss, or Audrey Tautou, but be rather calculating underneath. Perhaps Kirsten Dunst, or Kate Winslet?

YUR DOIN IT WRONG

..in other words, Ellen Degeneres is the farthest thing from George than anyone in the WORLD. Just because she is a lesbian does not mean she could play George- she is just so sweet and happy!

Same goes for Rosie O'Donnel!

Bump

You are so right. Kate Mulgrew would be a fantastic choice for George. Laura Linney would be fantastic as Mercy....she's the right age now, and she's a master at playing those people who are all sweetness on the outside, hiding the heart of a killer underneath....and able to pull it off with subtlety, without overacting.

Amanda Seyfried is still young enough that she would make a perfect Childie. She has the perfect look, and she is one of the most underrated actresses in Hollywood. She would just kill in the part, and would mix perfectly with the other two actresses.