MISS SAIGON Headed for the Big Screen; Aiming for 2011 Release

Variety has confirmed additional details regarding the development of a film version of Miss Saigon, including word that the film will be produced by Paula Wagner (formerly Tom Cruise's agent at CAA before becoming his producing partner) and by Cameron Mackintosh, with Lee Daniels to direct. The team aims to hire a script writer next, with "an eye towards getting the film into production next year for a 2011 release." 

There's no additional word on casting or any other information at this early date. 

"Precious" director Lee Daniels' hinted about his thoughts regarding directing a movie based on the hit musical Miss Saigon to ComingSoon.net. He didn't go into much detail, but he is interested in bringing the story to the big screen. To read the small mention click here.

Miss Saigon, based on the Puccini opera Madame Butterfly, is brought up-to-date with music and lyrics by Alan Boubil and Claude-Michael Schönberg (the creators of Les Misérables), with an English translation by Richard Maltby, Jr. It is a story of an American soldier and a Vietnamese girl who fall in love, only to be separated during the fall of Saigon. Their struggles to find each other over the ensuing years end in tragedy for her and a fighting chance for the child he never knew he had. Miss Saigon is an epic, daring pop opera that gives a multi-ethnic cast of strong singers an opportunity to shine in show-stopping numbers like "I Still Believe," "Why God Why?" and "The American Dream."