Michelle Williams to play Catherine Parr in "Firebrand."

This would be greater and more expected than the Michelle Williams version of Mary Queen of Scotts.-

I'm into this recasting.

Wouldn't work, Alicia ain't thicc enough.

Same thing with Michelle Williams.   The Dawson's Creek fans are long grown up now.   Besides the people who likes awards and the people who takes an interest in smaller independent features, and some of the soft folkie manbaby Manchester by the Sea fans, I don't think anyone cares about Michelle Williams either.   

Eh, I think A Royal Affair and The Green Knight show that she is more than capable of playing a role like this. This role would play to her strengths, and I do think she has charisma -- but it's a low-key and reserved energy, which obviously is difficult to parlay into a major movie career.

Sorta agree on Michelle Williams not really having masses of star quality (she's essentially a lesser Kirsten Dunst, who oozed star quality, particularly in her younger days and has probably stronger acting chops as well), but she still has a lot more presence than Vikander. 

But yeah, I've never really found myself overly excited by the prospect of watching a Michelle Williams performance, even though in fairness, she's a good actress that's improved steadily over the years. She's generally always solid, but I've never been blown away by her, despite her being an indie/awards darling. She seems like a nice woman though.

That's kind of her thing though, isn't it? That's what she did on Dawson's Creek as Jen Lindley, where people first found out out about her. Jen was perpetually  down and sad. She does it well I guess,  but it's a limiting niche.

I see Vikander like Cotillard actually.   She just has that European face that isn't gonna appeal enough to most Americans.   In order to be a star of a Hollywood level, you have to look kind of American - that's the only way you're gonna comfort the average population who's used to Julia Roberts and Meg Ryan.   

I can't think of a European star that is big enough outside their home country.   Even Asians, we saw the attempt at making Zhang Ziyi a star which failed after just one movie (Memoirs of a Geisha).   

I think overall Dunst is more well known.   She's done more childhood roles.   Bring It On, Spider Man, Dick, Virgin Suicides... all had some impact on teens and young adults.   I think most people have seen Dunst.   I legit think most Americans have no clue who Michelle Williams is.   But I do think most people who has a slight knowledge of movies recognized Dunst in something - not that I think she has much star quality either.

The costumes do look sumptuous as expected. I just really want this to really lean on the promised "horror" elements of the court of a dying Henry VIII.