The Fannings Dump 'My Sister's Keeper'
Back in October, the two tow-headed cuties Elle and Dakota Fanning signed up to play siblings in My Sister's Keeper. In the first two-Fanning punch since I Am Sam, it's the story of a young girl (who would have been played by Elle) who sues her parents for divorce because she's being raised as a handy genetic match for her older, cancer-ridden sister (Dakota). Not anymore. Variety reports that the two sisters pulled out of the feature abruptly.Why? Their sources say that Dakota refused to shave her head for the part. I guess she thought they'd fit one of those bald caps on her head, or she'd be the lucky cancer victim who miraculously doesn't lose her hair. If this source is right, at least we know where she draws the line now. She shocked many before for her involvement in Hounddog, but I guess smooth noggin is crossing the line. It might seem surprising for Fanning, who has taken on a lot of grown-up fare, but she is only 13. (She turns 14 on the 23rd.)
At least their replacements have already been picked. Although I would've tapped her to play the elder role, Abigail Breslin will take over the ticked off role that Elle vacated, while Sofia Vassilieva, from Medium, is finalizing her deal to replace Dakota. Will this be another Oscar nod for Abigail, perhaps? Or a breakout performance from Sofia?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-13-2008 @ 11:09PM
Kelsey said...
Dakota Fanning is about the age the younger sister (who sued the parents) was in the book. If I remember correctly, the older sister was closer to high school age.
The book centers around these two sisters and their relationship, so if they cast the roles wrong they are in trouble.
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2-14-2008 @ 4:32AM
AJ Wiley said...
I'm not a huge fan of either the Fannings or Breslin, but what I do take from the article is this:
In an indie film I begin production on next year, there's a role where a cancer patient gradually loses all of their hair. I don't have the money for bald caps or the like. Hope my actor is a bit more willing...
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2-21-2008 @ 10:16PM
Steven Mark Pilling said...
First, you have to believe the story that Dakota Fanning dropped out because of her hair... and took her sister with her. Dakota, only turning 14 this month, has little to say about anything. She's a kid! Also, we'd have to believe that she could likewise negate her sister's role. Elle's the bigger star now and in high demand.
Dakota's been fading fast since her landmark child porn film "Hounddog". Not only is she damaged goods career-wise, but she's likely an emotional wreck as well. This is the second time within a year she's fallen away from a role that would have paired her off with her little sister. And, in both roles, she would have played a secondary role TO her sister.
First of all, it's completely possible that jealousy on Dakota's part may haven a factor. But the greater consideration would likely be from the filmmakers and the Fanning handlers. Dakota's box office is the former's concern. As for the latter, they naturally want to nurture little Elle's burgeoning lucrativity. Saddling her with the pathetic spectre of her sister in a movie is not the way. That Dakota's downfall is the result of their own greed and heartlessness means little to them.
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