Clint Eastwood wants former Jersey Boys to star in movie version

[kidbroadway2]

Posted: 6/11/13 at 1:58pm

http://www.deadline.com/2013/06/clint-eastwood-eyes-stage-talent-for-jersey-boys-movie-at-warner-bros/


"EXCLUSIVE: Don’t be surprised if Clint Eastwood is asked to host next year’s Tony Awards; he’s positioning himself to be that popular with the legit crowd. Eastwood is prepping to direct the movie version of Jersey Boys for Warner Bros. Instead of the Hollywood tradition of chasing screen stars, I’m told Eastwood is looking to cast the main role in the movie with the actors who are onstage every night in the various Jersey Boys stage shows all around the world."

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/11/13 at 2:13pm

That doesn't mean "former." It could mean former and current.

[broadway guy]

Posted: 6/11/13 at 2:16pm

I have never cared for Jersey Boys but I would be interested to see what Clint Eastwood does with it. Not sure if casting Broadway actors is the right way to go for this one though.. hmm..

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 6/11/13 at 3:47pm

I think this makes sense for someone who played Frankie like Jarrod Spector, John Lloyd Young, or even Joe Bwarie but for the other roles they should probably go Hollywood and get at least one star to play someone like Gaudio or DeVito.

[Dave19]

Posted: 6/11/13 at 3:50pm

This is the way to go.......the boys need to be extraordinary harmony singers at first.

Also, it makes the story a lot more believable if they are not too well known.
Leave the other roles to big names, not the 4 boys.

We live in a time where people are constantly craving new things, new people, new stars. No one really cares for certain big names anymore, as there are just too many celebrities nowadays. Having 4 extremely well singers (indeed, 4 of the theatre Jersey Boys) will make them stars and it will take the movie to a much higher level. It's all about the real quality.

I would have bought Les Miserables on Blu ray if it had an astounding singing Javert. I will not buy it now. It just lacks the quality to last. Names are too time and place bound...it's true quality that counts and that's what will stand the test of time.




Updated On: 6/11/13 at 03:50 PM

[Jdsnyder88]

Posted: 7/9/13 at 2:26pm

Has anyone heard any casting rumors about this yet? I just got word from a pretty reliable source over who has been cast in the 4 lead roles, but before I say, I wanted to see what others have heard.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 7/9/13 at 2:29pm

"We live in a time where people are constantly craving new things, new people, new stars."

We do? Do people crave those things or is that what people are force fed?

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/9/13 at 3:02pm

I have a female friend in L.A. (character actress) who was called in for a speaking part last week, so casting is underway as we speak, or she speaks, so to speak.

I'm gonna take a wild stab and say she wasn't up for one of the four leads, though.

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 7/9/13 at 6:44pm

I haven't heard anything about the movie because I have no sources. But my guess would be John Lloyd Young is gonna be Frankie. For the other parts I can't guess. Although I always thought Grant Gustin (Sebastian on Glee) would always be a decent choice. But jdsnyder88 please tell us something about the casting!

[Jdsnyder88]

Posted: 7/12/13 at 10:33pm

No one seems to have jumped on this, so I'm going to chime in with my information as I know it. As far as I know, John Lloyd Young is playing Frankie Valli, Erich Bergen is playing Bob Gaudio, and Vincent Piazza is playing Tommy Devito.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 7/12/13 at 10:41pm

I think it would make the most sense to at least bring John Lloyd Young back as Frankie. And I'm jumping way ahead of myself, but if he goes on to win an Oscar, he'll join the small list of people who have won an Oscar and a Tony for the same role.

Updated On: 7/12/13 at 10:41 PM

[Dave19]

Posted: 7/13/13 at 5:43am

John Lloyd Young as Frankie on film could be astounding.
Watching him sing/perform/act is the magic that reminds me why I love this artform so much.

It is very rare for filmmakers to hit the nail on it's head when it comes to casting. Because most of the time they are too tempted to cast celebrities.

The only 2 times that true magic was created in the history of movie musical, was Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music, and Olivia Newton John in Grease.

Magnificent singing, great acting, right type.

If one of these 3 things is not perfect, the performance will go down the drain.

Unless the singing for the part is of this extremely high level, there is no point in casting the person. And that should be the rule for every movie musical.

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 7/13/13 at 8:23am

"We live in a time where people are constantly craving new things, new people, new stars."

Yes. A movie based on a musical based on the story of a 1960 musical group. NEW NEW NEW.

[Dave19]

Posted: 7/13/13 at 11:22am

I'm talking about creating new stars instead of hiring Russel Crowe as Frankie Valli.

Big names are always very time and place bound. It's the true quality that counts and makes a movie stand the test of time. And creates stars.

I have absolutely no desire of watching the Les Mis film ever again. The role of Javert could have been breathtaking and could have lifted the film to a higher level. The role could have made an oscar winning star of the right singer/actor. And that could be the reason for more people wanting to watch the film over and over again. Unfortunately many filmmakers do not understand this.

Updated On: 7/13/13 at 11:22 AM

[FishermanBob]

Posted: 7/13/13 at 1:27pm

Oooooh, Russell Crowe as Frankie Valli. I like it.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/13/13 at 1:31pm

I'm more fixated on the idea of Erich Bergen as Gaudio again.

Someone gets the last laugh here!

[darquegk]

Posted: 7/13/13 at 3:14pm

I should know better than to engage Dave19, but even if one accepts that Russell Crowe's singing was so bad it sank the film- and I for one say it did not- that does not mean that the solution was "cast an unknown and make a new star."

Think of the fairly famous actor-singers with rich voices and imposing but nuanced presences. Victor Garber and David Bowie both could have sung the role respectably, even masterfully, as well as acting it well. Would they have acted it as well or better than Crowe? I find it hard to judge, because the film's portrayal of Javert differs quite strongly from the stage musical. It would, however, have been undeniably good- at least as good, if not better, than taking an unknown to "make a new star."

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 7/13/13 at 4:16pm

I agree with Dave19 on some of his points and that Olivia Newton-John in GREASE was brilliant casting!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/17/13 at 8:27pm

Young / Piazza / Bergen / Lomenda (?)
http://variety.com/2013/film/news/graham-king-clint-eastwood-eye-jersey-boys-1200563806/

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/17/13 at 8:40pm

Very cool. Can't wait to wait to hear how JLY behaves in Hollywood.

[Musical Master]

Posted: 7/17/13 at 8:46pm

Curious about this film too. Clint is interesting for the type of musical it is.

[Musical Master]

Posted: 7/17/13 at 8:46pm

DOUBLE POST


Updated On: 7/17/13 at 08:46 PM

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 7/17/13 at 9:06pm

Wow I think this would be great. I've seen JLY and Michael Lomenda and I think theyre both perfect for this. Michael is my favorite Nick. Bergen looks alright but I haven't heard great things about him as Bob but still cool. Piazza actually looks like a great Tommy. I'm really excited about this. If this movie is done well, it could be a mega hit. Does anybody know how true these reports are.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/17/13 at 9:11pm

Erich Bergen was my first Bob -- he's great, even if sometimes I thought he was a bit too slick and reassured to play a character who was never comfortable in the spotlight.

He also used to post here as "Erich," but I don't think he posted after he joined the show. :)

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 7/17/13 at 9:37pm

Does anybody think they could do this Les Mis style and have them sing live. I know that's a lot for Frankie to sing but I think it would make it more realistic.