2012 Poised to Usher In a New Golden Age for Movie Musicals; WICKED, AMERICAN IDIOT, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR & More in Development

Variety reports today that despite an absence of movie musicals in multiplexes around the country this past year, 2012 is poised to usher in a record number of musical adaptations on the big screen.  The season of musical films will begin with Joyful Noise (Warner Brothers), starring Dolly Parton, Queen Latifah and Broadway's own Jeremy Jordan, set for release on January 13.  Throughout the year, musical lovers can expect cinematic renditions of the highly anticipated Rock of Ages (June 1), starring A-listers Tom Cruise, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Russell Brand, Alec Baldwin and more, and Les Miserables (December 7) with the likes of Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Taylor Swift, Amanda Seyfried, Broadway's Aaron Tveit and others.

And those are just the few with release dates set.  Universal Studios alone boasts screening rights for Wicked, American Idiot, Jesus Christ Superstar, Carmen, a sequel to Mamma Mia!, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Pitch Perfect and In The Heights, all in development.

For the full report in Variety, click here.

Though a risky genre, what is clear is that with recent successes such as Hairspray, Chicago and Mamma Mia, Hollywood's appetite for big blockbuster musicals is reaching a new peak.  And for those theater enthusiasts everywhere, that is a good thing.