[rampart519]

Does anyone know why Broadway cast Mimi and Joanne were not used in the film like the rest of the cast?

[jonahgreenthal]

Daphne was pregnant at the time of casting/rehearsal, and Fredi felt she was too old.

[jcstar]

I'm sure the new Mimi and Joanne will do just fine.

Would have been nice to see all the original leads, though.

Oh well.

Andy.

[sleepy7653]

Fredi is to old she was in her mid-thirties when Rent opened in '96 and her character's age was between ages 20 and 30.

[DramaRobin2002]

I always thought Joanne was slightly older than the rest of the characters, already having got through law school and everything. Maybe more around early 30's than 20's. It would have been great to see the whole OBC but I'm glad they went in the direction they did. It seems like Tracie Thoms and Rosario Dawson have a lot of heart for the movie and both sound awesome on the soundtrack.

~~~Amy~~~

[EponineGiry]

Rosario has the experience of actually living in an East Village squat, so she has the strength of those memories. Tracie was an original fan and has an amazing voice. I'm sick of purists ragging on them, especially Rosario. Daphne was amazing, but tolerance is what Rent's about.

[Roger's Chica]

Also (and it's almost "lucky" that she was pregnant, in that she wasn't interested in working on the film and not being with her baby), Daphne is a gorgeous lady, but she's all grown-up now and there's no way she could pass for 19 anymore.

[what_the_heck013]

[Roger's Chica]