Julie Andrews picks Cameron Diaz for Maria

updated 7:07 p.m. ET Nov. 28, 2005

LONDON - Julie Andrews says Cameron Diaz would be the perfect choice to play Maria if “The Sound of Music” is ever remade.

Andrews starred in the best-picture Academy Award winner about a nun who leaves the convent behind to wed an Austrian widower (Christopher Plummer) and spread the “Do-Re-Mi” spirit to his seven kids.

At a question-and-answer session celebrating the 40th anniversary of the popular film, Andrews recalled the scene in which Maria runs through the mountains singing “The Hills Are Alive With the Sound of Music.”

It wasn’t as serene as it looked, the 70-year-old actress said Monday.

“I will never forget it, there was a large helicopter coming towards me through the mountains with a brave cameraman hanging out the side,” she said.

“We shot the scene many times, and at the end of each take, the helicopter would circle round. The downdraft nailed me flat onto the grass, and a couple of times I bit the dust. At first it was funny, but after several times I began to get very angry.”

Andrews, who has given up musical roles because of throat problems, said: “I miss singing very, very much, but the best thing is I have never been busier.”

She will voice Queen Lillian in the upcoming “Shrek 3” movie. Diaz will voice Princess Fiona.

Diaz’s screen credits also include roles in “There’s Something About Mary,” “Being John Malkovich” and two “Charlie’s Angels” films.

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