Are you basing that off of the National Theatre production? I didn't see this production on stage or on screen, but I imagine Cooke will try to replicate his vision of the piece for his film version (for better or worse).
"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
TotallyEffed said: "rattleNwoolypenguin said: " Follies has ALWAYS seemed to me better suited for film.
The nature of this trippy night they all experience I just think really could pop and be beautiful and surreal on film"
I can’t think of many musicals that are moretheatricalthan Follies. What makes you think it’s better suited for film?"
It’s so intimately about the 4 of them. Also you could explore the actual theatre they are in as apposed to what always happens (the actors go offstage and come back onstage and it’s dimly lit and it’s just supposed to be somewhere else in the theatre)
What if Ben takes Sally to the roof?
or what if they have scenes sitting in seats?
or Too Many Mornings takes place where they use to sneak away to have sex?
the fantasy sequence will be much clearer and gorgeousif it feels “transportive” as apposed to just presentational
It’s just more dynamic to explore the space they are in
as well as using the ghosts, there’s so much filmic possibility there. They can meander translucently through the whole night.
I just think it could be really trippy. And definitely take a few cues from what made Birdman great.
I would love a great film adaptation of Follies. And I quite liked Dominic Cooke's revival at the National, save for Imelda Staunton and the documentary crew device. However, his only theatrical film to date was On Chesil Beach, which I thought was rather dreadful. So this news doesn't excite me. And if you saw On Chesil Beach, I bet your excitement would be tempered as well.
Everyone who thinks Kelli O'Hara or Laura Benanti could be cast in the leads in this has such optimism to entertain the thought! Yes, that would be wonderful, and no, that would not happen. The only "theatre" person I could really see cast (outside of the ensemble and the young characters) is Renee Fleming as Heidi (and she's marginally a "theatre" person). Phyllis will probably be Nicole Kidman or Catherine Zeta-Jones, though I would pull for Toni Collette. I would expect A-listers in the main quartet, with celebrity cameos for Hattie, Solange, and Carlotta at the very least.
There are so many things that can go wrong with Follies (and often does) with the wrong director or the wrong approach. The films made of Sweeney Todd and Into the Woods had admirers, but I thought Tim Burton and Rob Marshall ruined them with misguided direction and didn't seem to know what to do with the staginess of the material. Follies sounds like a potential disaster for the same reason.
His revival got so many things right. I was thinking what it must have been about it that convinced Sondheim he would be right for the film and one guess is the idea he had to have the confessional/reminiscing dialogue usually delivered out instead delivered to a documentary film crew. A smart cinematic choice.
And I agree I'd rather not have Staunton in this. Fabulous actress but this wasn't her score.
i too saw this production in London and LOVED IT...if this bit of news turns out to be correct than i am there and will hold off any near death until i see this on the big screen...how 'bout Catherine Zeta-Jones as Phyllis?...
Saw the London production four times, twice with each cast. Loved almost every moment of each with some minor casting quibbles. I'd happily see a film that hews close to that stage version and with almost any of the casting suggestion made here.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
Shoot it in an actual old theatre that's ruined. That would be amazing- I mean theres dozens of old vaudeville theatres in the States in a state of ruin, likewise in the UK theres dozens of old music halls sitting around.
Jordan Catalano said: "All I care about is making sure Michelle Pfeiffer is Phyllis. "
i was thinking about this today so wanted to see if anyone else had suggested her on this board. has she sang at all since Hairspray? i think she would be so fantastic as Phyllis.
who else could be in this if it ever happens?
"Contentment, it seems, simply happens. It appears accompanied by no bravos and no tears."
bk said: "JBC3 said: "Oh look. The bitching has already begun. Things here are so reliable and consistent."
Here's what's reliable and consistent - automatically believing that PR stuff is true. We'll see if this is real when they announce a start date. Anyone can say anything, witness the six YEARS of Streisand/Gypsy PR BS."
Oh for Christ's sake, Bruce, a script existed. What do you think I've been handing people for upwards of a goddamn month? PR B.S. or not for most of its existence, they did actually intend to do it at some point. A full screenplay is not drafted as a press ploy. Take the stick out of your <<edited by BWW staff>>.
I don't know, what HAVE you been handing people for a month? I'll take the stick out of my <<edited by BWW staff>> when this film getting made actually happens. Where did you get what you've been handing out for a month? Do people know you've been handing whatever it is out for a month? Do tell.