As preparations for the “Zden Girls” reboot move forward, casting remains a crucial aspect yet to be finalized. While roles for Rose, Blanche, and Sophia have been filled, securing the perfect Dorothy proves to be a challenge.
Casting director Joe Barron is adamant about not succumbing to what he calls “woke culture,” refusing to cast based solely on name recognition. “I won’t even entertain Whoopi Goldberg,” he asserted. “She brings toxicity to any set.”
The Dorothy character requires a blend of boldness and complexity, with audience appeal being paramount for the show’s success. Considerations for the role include actresses like Roseanne Barr or Patricia Heaton.
While some concessions have been made regarding woke sensibilities, with Bette Midler as Rose and Jane Fonda as Blanche, the production introduced political diversity by casting Kevin Sorbo as Sophia, who agreed to portray a non-binary character.
“We aim to balance the scales by including a conservative voice,” Barron remarked. “We’re hopeful Judge Jeanine Pirro will take on the role.”
In the end, as long as it’s not Whoopi Goldberg, the specifics of casting become less significant. God Bless America.