RIALTO CHATTER: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR To Be 'Resurrected' On Film?

[BWIDB Charlie]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 5:13pm

Click here to read RIALTO CHATTER: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR To Be 'Resurrected' On Film?

[Jenna Maroney]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 5:34pm

The Gillan/Head/Elliman recording is the concept album, not the OBCR. I don't think Gillan ever played Jesus on stage.

[AwesomeDanny]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 5:38pm

My sister's high school did this show two years ago. I haven't seen it, but being an atheist who does not like Andrew Lloyd-Webber musicals and HATED Joseph and the blah-blah Dreamcoat... eh, I'll probably end up seeing the movie just because it's a musical.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 5:39pm

Did ANYONE ask for this?

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 7:01pm

Being an atheist shouldn't really factor into liking JCS because it's pretty... not in line with common religious views. A lot of religious people even find it offensive.

Basically, it takes a lot of liberties with the Bible, shows Judas sympathetically, and portrays Jesus as more human than most "Jesus movies," which bugs some people.

[AwesomeDanny]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 7:06pm

Still, I have yet to find an entertaining Andrew Lloyd-Webber musical. I was a spot-op for a high school production of Joseph and was sick of the music after the first day. I didn't like the movie versions of Phantom or Evita. I have been warned by my mom and my sister NEVER to see Cats. I'm waiting for Phantom to close so something else can become the longest-running Broadway show.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 7:08pm

Why?!?!?

I actually have a bit of a fondness for "Jesus Christ Superstar" but there are already two film versions out there (one released less than a decade ago) that run the stylistic gamut. What would be accomplished with a third adaptation?

[EVIE]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 7:20pm

I love Jesus Christ Superstar and would very much like to see another film. I just pray it doesn't have Ted as Jesus. I hope Jesus is played by an age appropriate hottie! LOL

[Pgenre]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 7:22pm

I love this score and it is almost IMPOSSIBLE to understand what cultural impact this piece had in its day. I've written a 50 page thesis on it, actually. But, why now?

In general, why?

I mean, neither film is satisfactory... but I just don't see the need for this when SO MANY other scores, even ALW scores, would make better movies. We already have TWO versions on DVD.

ALW needs to buy the rights to SUNSET BLVD and just make the go*damn movie if the studio is just dragging their feet as they have for a decade. I think the time is right for that. Not this.

P

[ladybegood]

Posted: 8/1/09 at 6:30am

Making any one film isn't at the expense of another. And although I would particularly also love to see a really fabulous version of "Sunset Boulevard", it's all about what is thought likely to make money. "Sunset Boulevard" isn't generally well known enough, and I have always thought the problem (apart from rights issues) has been the perception that it isn't family friendly enough either. Not that JCS was obviously family friendly, but I can see the attraction. Whether people like it or not, it might be a little dated but it is is still an amazing piece with a proven track record, and it has an iconic status. And for all there are the two versions already, neither will affect the potential of a current audience too much. I think it would do well. And every musical film made that does do well enough is potentially going to open doors to more. So I wouldn't complain too much on that score anyway.

But I would actually love to see a really fabulous new version, on it's own merits, as long as they aren't wanting to repeat the equivalent of the "Mamma Mia" casting. The likes of Pierce Brosnan singing "Gethsemane" would not amuse! Would a new version with Steve Balsamo be too much to ask for?
Updated On: 8/1/09 at 06:30 AM

[TimesSquareRegular]

Posted: 8/1/09 at 10:08am

What's really awesome, AwesomeDanny, is that you seem to be totally dismissive of ALW based on 2 movies (neither of which I liked very much), 1 high school production, and comments from other people.

And by the way .... when Phantom closes (probably not for many more years) it will probably be at least a generation from now when it is surpassed as the longest-running musical.

Muddled thinking is awesome .....in the true dictionary sense.

[AwesomeDanny]

Posted: 8/1/09 at 12:44pm

I know it will be a very long time before anything can run longer than Phantom, but Chicago is still doing pretty well and, from what I have heard, it's one of the cheapest shows on Broadway. Unfortunately, Phantom will have the title of longest-running Broadway musical for a long time. At least Les Mis has run for longer than Phantom on West End.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/1/09 at 12:50pm

At least Les Mis has run for longer than Phantom on West End

Yes, because Les Miz is high art and so much more deserving of the title.

(snort)

[AwesomeDanny]

Posted: 8/1/09 at 12:56pm

Okay, we can have different opinions, but I really like the score for Les Miserables while I can't say the same thing for Phantom. When I watched the movie, I really wanted to like it because it has been viewed as a classic, but it really wasn't my cup of tea.

[philly03]

Posted: 8/1/09 at 12:59pm

Eek This really isn't necessary...why not do a new one!?

" "Sunset Boulevard" isn't generally well known enough, and I have always thought the problem (apart from rights issues) has been the perception that it isn't family friendly enough either. Not that JCS was obviously family friendly, but I can see the attraction."

...My family always enjoyed watching SUNSET much more than JCS. SUNSET's one of Hollywood's greatest tales, I don't necessarily see how it is not family friendly / why that would matter. Phantom killed a lot more than good old Norma.


Which BTW, Phantom sells much better than Chicago. Chicago tends to go through some really low stints throughout the year, where-as Phantom, for the most part sells pretty well.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/1/09 at 1:01pm

I don't even like Phantom that much, but I can tell you for certain that the film is a very poor representation of the stage show. It works a lot better onstage.

[AwesomeDanny]

Posted: 8/1/09 at 1:12pm

I'm sure it is much better on stage, but I live in Chicago where the tour isn't coming this season, so I'm out of luck for my opinions to change. I think a big reason why I didn't like it is that I can't watch anything remotely scary. I had to listen to the [title of show] recording when I fell asleep so that I would have less scary nightmares... and I still dreamt of being killed by the Phantom. It's just like in those movies where somebody has a nightmare where they are about to die when they wake up a moment before death. I was in a boat for some weird reason that was being chased by the Phantom who was holding an axe. He chased me around the sewer the boats were in (kinda like the sewer to his lair, except without a weird hideout) and swung the axe to my neck as I suddenly woke up. Now does everybody understand why I can NEVER watch The Phantom of the Opera?

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 8/1/09 at 2:28pm

BRING....IT....ON!!!!

Before I die, I need to see a good filmed version of my favorite musical. PLEASE don't let this movie suck like the ones before it.

Ps. JCS is actually the story of Jesus' last days through the eyes of Judas. A lot of people who protest this show forget that little tid bit!

[ladybegood]

Posted: 8/2/09 at 6:08am

Awesomedanny...Has it not actually occurred to you that it really isn't clever to form such fixed opinions when you are coming from a position of such limited knowledge? And while I am presuming you were very small when scared by the idea of the phantom, and that might mean that you have been put off the concept of the show, you are supposed to learn to be able to be more objective when evaluating quality. And having been scared should have no bearing at all on appreciation of a score. Phantom isn't actually a particular favourite of mine, but I don't deny that it has some amazing songs in it.

And Philly03, I think "Sunset Boulevard" is amazing too! And I would really love to see it filmed fantastically well, not that I would say no to a new JCS either. But of course perception of potential audience matters! Films aren't made for charity. The bottom line is always money.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 8/2/09 at 6:21am

HIRE A FREAKING FACT CHECKER BWW.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 8/2/09 at 8:28am

It has to be better than the previous film. They could not do any worse.

[James885]

Posted: 8/2/09 at 9:54am

I'm kind of indifferent to JCS so even if they did go through with it, I don't know if I'd go to see it. I'd much rather see a musical remake of Sunset Boulevard. Hopefully it won't be bastardized like the Phantom movie.

[AwesomeDanny]

Posted: 8/2/09 at 12:19pm

ladybegood, you were partially right in assuming I was very young when scared of the phantom because I was in second or third grade when I saw the first trailers for the movie. However, it wasn't until sixth or seventh grade when I saw it. I understand that Andrew Lloyd Webber has made a very great contribution to the theater society, but I just don't see anything that makes him so much more special than other, less known composers. As for the score from Phantom, actually the haunting, scary feeling the music gave me is a big reason why I didn't like the score. What I find slightly annoying in Andrew Lloyd Webber shows is that many themes are repeated too many times in the shows.

I haven't used this argument against him yet because I don't believe I have enough evidence yet, but I find some themes are derivative. In "Joseph"'s "Jacob Cam to Egypt" the melody with the lyrics "So Jacob came to Egypt, No longer feeling old" can be found in Mozart's Rhondo Alla Turca. A while ago, I played a Clementi sonatina that had a melody that I could have sworn was in Phantom.

I want to make it clear that I have not used that argument before, and I don't have enough evidence to make the argument yet. Also, If you read my original post, I said I would probably end up watching this remake of "Jesus Christ Superstar" anyway. I won't express any of my already formed opinions about it until I see it. Anyway, if they didn't make the last movie version too long ago, why would they decide to make another this soon? Movies are very expensive, and although a movie musical can be successful, many aren't.

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 8/2/09 at 12:36pm

So...Adam Lambert as Jesus?

[Pgenre]

Posted: 8/2/09 at 12:45pm

Daughtry as Judas?

P