alternatehistory.com

In 1956, My Fair Lady premiered on Broadway. Julie Andrews's performance as Eliza Doolittle was well-regarded. In 1964, they released My Fair Lady as a film- but cast Audrey Hepburn as Eliza. Why? Apparently Jack Warner felt Andrews was not a big enough name. Meanwhile, Andrews was cast in another film released that year- Mary Poppins. My Fair Lady won eight Oscars- but the Best Actress award went to Julie Andrews for Mary Poppins. (Her acceptance speech began with her "thanking"* Jack Warner for his faith in her. It should be noted that, while many viewed Andrews's award as a slap to Warner, Audrey Hepburn herself differed with that assessment, saying it was because Andrews had the better performance that year.)
But, what would happen if the roles were reversed? What if Andrews kept the role of Eliza and if Hepburn got the role of Mary Poppins? Would it change either of their careers?

* She did use the word "thank" though I'm not sure what tone of voice it was.
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