Rock of Ages has already been picked up for a film musical, tentatively starring Patrick Wilson. Which other current or recent musicals do you think will get this treatment? Many of the ones in the works now are for considerably older shows.
I don't know about you, but I can see Next to Normal working pretty well on film. Particularly in its Off-Broadway incarnation, with the occasional excursions into Diana's mind and the "rock star" Dr. Madden appearing in some hallucinations. Here's a cast I thought would work for that show as a film.
Next To Normal
Diana: Toni Colette Dan: Jason Bateman (can he sing? If not, Michael C. Hall) Natalie: Lea Michele Henry: Michael Cera Dr. Fine: Ben Stein Dr. Madden: Jim Carrey Gabe: I'm trying to think of someone better, but the only person of the right age, look and talent coming to mind as a "name" is Zac Efron, and it IS high time he start pursuing weightier material. This is well in his vocal range, anyway. And as far as his falsetto, which is not his strongest suit, Gabe only as to sing to a G legit and a D above that in falsetto, and that only happens maybe once or twice, and quickly.
Any others? I can't imagine what a good cast for Rock of Ages, along with Wilson, would be.
Jason Bateman and Lea Michele would never be cast. Think John Travolta (again), Jim Carrey or someone marketable overseas. Decisions for these films are not based on talent or ability to sing. It is all marketing. The doctor would be played by Robin Williams or some comedian and they would trump up the rock star hallucination. Natalie would be played by whatever young starlet was hot at the moment (think of your Hilary Duff, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Miley Cyrus-type of things). Especially since Superboy is such a hit single.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
9 to 5 the Musical the Movie: Frances McDormand as Violet Newstead Anne Hathaway as Judy Bernly Kristin Chenoweth as Doralee Rhodes Alec Baldwin as Franklin Hart, Jr. Kathy Bates as Rosalind Keith Jason Sudeikis as Joe Kathy Najimy as Kathy Molly Shannon as Margaret
Jason Bateman is a fairly successful and marketable actor. He's no superstar, but with Juno, Hancock, Arrested Development and other such roles under his belt, he's highly recognizable, if not an A-lister. The daughter would probably go to someone more "famous," but I stand by Jim Carrey working well as Dr. Madden. The role provides him opportunities to do the two things he wants to do these days: one, be taken seriously as a serious actor (the reality moments); and two, cut loose with his old comic persona ("Let's get it on now baby," "Open Your Eyes" and "Feeling Electric," which I'm sure would be restored for a film.)
As far as the film coming across as camp on screen, I'm not entirely sure it would. The tone of the show, ESPECIALLY the hallucinations, is spot-on to highly successful SHOWTIME series "Six Feet Under," which dealt with similar subject matter in a very similar way, employing a psychological ghost character and frequent hallucinations, often musical numbers, to let us inside the heads of this very dysfunctional familiy.
I think Alan Ball directing would be a nice touch. Jason Batemen is great, but globally, he would never be touched. With the way casting has been going lately, it could end up Kidman and Jackman.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
Dan: I keep thinking Jim Carrey would be great for the part. Also Patrick Wilson would fit in since he's been getting a lot of roles lately in the film industry. I also think an interesting choice would be Dave Matthews.
Diana: I couldn't think of a certain person, but I was considering probably Christina Applegate or Brittany Murphy.
Gabe: Jesse McCartney or Zac Efron.
Natalie: This was a hard role to pick for too, but I was thinking Amber Tamblyn or Alexis Bledel.
From those suggestions, it's pretty clear that you do not <3 bway.
"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards
toni collette would be fabulous in this role but the thing is that this role is too close to her role on united states of tara. she wouldn't do another role in which a woman's mental illness affects her entire family.
...everyone was doing the mambo and drinking golden cadillacs...
"Art matters. You make it happen, and it becomes a priority, not on the periphery, absolutely essential to life." -Alice Ripley
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"The sitting together of notes, the sitting together of words has by their very nature a puzzle aspect. It's the creation of form out of chaos." - Stephen Sondheim
These have got to be the most pathetic suggestions I've ever read in my entire life.
"There's nothing good on. The media hates Christmas. The media loves vampires, though. Maybe they will show a Twilight Christmas." -Danmeg's 10 year old son.