Oscar Nominee Carey Mulligan Eyes Starring Role in My Fair Lady Film

British rising star Carey Mulligan may follow in the footsteps of Julie Andrews and Audrey Hepburn by playing Eliza Doolittle in a forthcoming feature film remake of My Fair Lady, according to BBC News. Interviewed at the opening of the latest Nanny McPhee film, Emma Thompson, screenwriter for the new movie musical, said, “I think Carey is set to play it, yes." The role of Henry Higgins hasn’t been filled, although Thompson said she would “love” for rumored lead Hugh Grant to play the irascible hero created by Rex Harrison. “He might want to, he might not want to, so we don't know yet,” Thompson said of Grant. “But hopefully we'll make [the film] later this year."

Mulligan was nominated for a 2010 Best Actress Oscar for An Education and will appear in the forthcoming Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps. She made her Broadway debut in an acclaimed performance as Nina in the 2008 Broadway revival of The Seagull.

One of the most beloved musicals of all time, My Fair Lady debuted on Broadway in 1956 and was adapted for the screen in 1964.