Taron Egerton (Rocketman) is currently in talks to play the leading role of Seymour Krelborn in the latest remake of Little Shop of Horrors. Based on the 1960 comedy of the same name, which then inspired the 1982 off-broadway musical composed by Alan Menken, the story centers on a florist named Seymour. With his flower shop on the decline, he soon finds a mysterious Venus flytrap during an eclipse that speaks, a discovery that he hopes will attract more people to his shop when put on display. Unfortunately, the plant has a very sinister motive. Dubbed Audrey II, after his co-worker and love interest Audrey, the plant feasts on humans and demands to be fed, and Seymour is quick to give in to it.
Little Shop of Horrors has been remade a few different times. Following its stint as a musical, it was then remade as a film once again in 1986. Directed by Frank Oz (The Dark Crystal), the film starred Rick Moranis as Seymour and Ellen Greene as Audrey. This remake also provided audiences with singer Levi Stubbs’ iconic take on Audrey II, one that was both eerie and memorable. Several remake announcements made the rounds years later, including one with Joseph Gordon-Levitt attached in 2012 and another in 2016 to be directed by Greg Berlanti. Unfortunately, both projects seemed to fall through, but it appears another is starting to make its way into the spotlight.
According to Full Circle Cinema, Taron Egerton is currently in talks to play Seymour in the upcoming Little Shop of Horrors remake. Previously, Egerton had his turn at playing Seymour in a “regional production at the Aberystwyth Arts Center Youth Theatre in Aberystwyth, Wales in 2007,” so it’s certainly a part that the actor is familiar with. Entertainment reporter Jeff Sneider also added that, alongside Egerton, “ScarJo has the offer for Audrey, and as previously reported, Billy Porter eyed to voice Audrey II.”
Egerton is currently coming off the success of his Elton John musical biopic, Rocketman, which garnered the actor a Golden Globe win for his portrayal of the beloved singer. Egerton is also widely known for leading the Kingsman franchise, which has the third film currently in the works and a prequel releasing later this year titled The King’s Man. The actor was also rumored to be playing Wolverine in the Marvel Cinematic Universe at one point last year. Unfortunately, he was quick to debunk that specific role but has since expressed that he’d still love to join the MCU in some capacity.
Considering how charismatic Egerton was in Rocketman, the role of Seymour could be a perfect fit for him. Not only does he have a phenomenal singing voice, but he could bring a very fun and lively energy to the character. Part of the reason Rick Moranis’ iteration of the character was so memorable was that he embodied his awkwardness with ease. Egerton could easily make Seymour his own, and both Johansson and Porter would be excellent additions alongside him. Especially the latter, who could provide a fresh and hilarious take on Audrey II. Hopefully, this latest remake of Little Shop of Horrors will finally make its way to the big screen.
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Source: Full Circle Cinema/Jeff Sneider
