'Snake Eyes' For Ritchie's 'GUYS & DOLLS', But 'Lucky Sevens' For Possible Jackman Led Remake

Variety reports that the recent and much rumored story that Guy Ritchie is readying a remake of 'GUYS & DOLLS' has bothered the Frank Loesser estate, the rights holders of the classic musical, so much that they sought out Ritchie's reps to find out how he could be working on a movie they hadn't given a blessing to in the first place.

Allen H. Arrow, the attorney who represents the estate of Frank Loesser, wrote the music and lyrics, and the songwriter's widow Jo Loesser, gave comment to the trade paper that, "I can't tell you what is happening, but I can tell you what is not happening, and that is this Guy Ritchie version."

What might be happening hints Variety, is a big screen remake starring the Tony-winning "Boy From Oz" and Wolverine mega star Hugh Jackman.

Variety's sources revealed that 20th Century Fox has been quietly working on the rights to GUYS & DOLLS for a film version that would star Jackman in the Sky Masterson role.

Arrow indicated to the paper that a Jackman led version might be a luckier throw of the dice, "We are not opposed to that development."

Arrow remarked to Variety that the estate is being very cautious, "This musical survived even the recent Broadway revival, and as bad as that was, they couldn't kill it. If the terms are proper in the scenario you describe, that could happen." To read the full article in Variety, click here.

Earlier this month, The UK Sun reported that pop superstar Justin Timberlake was interested in Guy Richie's upcoming remake of GUYS AND DOLLS. In late May, the Sun reported that filmmaker Guy Ritchie was reportedly in Hollywood to begin writing a script for the big screen remake of 'DOLLS.'

The director, best known for the London-based crime films Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch, was said to be working with his favorite leading man, action star Jason Statham on a reworking of the classic movie musical, which originally starred Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra.

A source told the The Sun, "Guy has been on the case with the idea of making a musical recently. He had been throwing ideas around with Jason Statham about writing their own musical. "Guy has had a lot of meetings with top studio bosses about other projects but the Guys And Dolls idea really tickled him."

One of the musicals that defined the Golden Era of Broadway, Guys and Dolls, with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, made its Broadway premiere in 1950, ran for 1200 performances, and won 15 Tony awards, including Best Musical. The show brought "Runyonland," the world of author Damon Runyon, to life. Its score includes some of the most popular songs of the era including "I'll Know," "A Bushel and Peck," "If I Were A Bell," "Guys and Dolls," and "Luck Be a Lady."

It premiered on the big screen in 1955 starring Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, Frank Sinatra and Vivian Blaine. A popular 1976 Broadway revival featured an entirely African American cast including Bowl cast member Ken Page. A 1992 Broadway revival directed by Jerry Zaks, brought the show alive for a new generation. Starring Peter Gallagher,Faith Prince, Nathan Lane and Josie de Guzman, this production was so celebrated that coverage of its opening was front page news in The New York Times. A current Broadway revival stars Oliver Platt, Lauren Graham, Craig Bierko and Kate Jennings Grant.

Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman will star together on Broadway in A STEADY RAIN, a critically acclaimed two-character play by Keith Huff. Directed by Tony Award nominee John Crowley, A STEADY RAIN begins previews on Thursday, September 10, 2009 and opens Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th Street) for a strictly limited 12 week engagement through Sunday, December 6, 2009.

Jackman will also star in the Full Monty-ish 20th Century Fox film comedy "Avon Man." "Hitch" writer Kevin Bisch will handle scripting duties. "Avon Man" follows a group of men laid off from an auto dealership. One of those guys, Jackman, is reluctantly recruited into becoming an Avon salesman, and while the experience is initially emasculating, he uses his charm and good looks to become a top seller. The comedy takes a twist when the car salesman sets out to save his financially strapped family and town by pushing his buddies into the makeup business to win a regional contest.

Hugh Jackman won a 2004 Tony Award, Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle and Theatre World Award for his portrayal of the 1970s singer-songwriter Peter Allen in The Boy From Oz. Previous theater credits include Carousel at Carnegie Hall and Oklahoma! at the National Theater in London, where he was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical. In his native Australia he won a MO Award (Australia's Tony Award) for his performance as Joe Gillis in Sunset Boulevard, and he was nominated for a MO Award for Disney's Beauty and the Beast.

Photo by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

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