Hey, I just realized that next year is going to be pretty golden (and competitive) for screen adaptations of stage musicals. It may even be the biggest year in decades:
All will be released in 2014:
Into the Woods Jersey Boys The Drowsy Chaperone
The Broadway-to-Hollywood musical is FAR from dead. At least next year.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
I've always imagined Amy Adams as Janet, finding a triple threat who is a name is going to be very hard. Adams and Anna Kendrick are the first two people that come to mind that somewhat come close to being triple threats, but not really. There are no more Rita Morenos, Gene Kellys, and Liza Minnellis. "Show Off" on film would be great. Love the idea of Nicole Kidman as the Chaperone, someone really unexpected, who'll be having a great time with an old friend (Rush). Really, the roles are great for this, I certainly hope it happens.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
I've dreamed of Adams as Janet since I first saw Enchanted. I think she'd be wonderful, by far my first choice, though I wonder if she's a little old for the role now.
Speaking of Enchanted, is James Marsden too old for Robert? I think he'd look and play the part perfectly. And I'd love to see him opposite Adams again. (I also think Matt Morrison would make an interesting Robert, and would probably be one of the better dancers they could call upon.)
Chaperone: Michelle Pfeiffer Janet: Carey Mulligan Robert: Joseph Gordon-Levitt Aldolpho: The Rock Mrs. Tottendale: Joanne Worley Underling: Dick Van Dyke
"It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are 20 gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg."
-- Thomas Jefferson
The casting possibilities are endless. These roles are all so fabulous and so fun. I could sit around for literally hours thinking of all the incredible performances various actors/actresses might give in these roles. I hope the cast lives up to the material, as I'm sure they will.
I kind of hate that Bob Martin won't be playing the lead, though I realize Rush's involvement is how this is coming to fruition. Perhaps Martin could play one of the gangsters.
Love this musical so so much. Obviously looking forward to this!!!
I see no reason why Janet couldn't be someone from broadway or an unknown. I would love to see Sutton on the big screen. I also can see some Hollywood actresses in this role if they can sing it: Carey Mulligan and Emma Stone were the first people to come to mind. Anneliese Van Der Pol would also be a very good choice.
The roles in this film remind me of CHICAGO, there are twenty different incarnations I'd love to see just with twenty completely different casts. James Marsden can do anything (to me). I also love Jordan's suggestion of Kristen Bell as Janet, I just worry Bell's movie career has rather stalled, maybe things will turn around if VERONICA MARS is half as good as the show was.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
Kristen Bell, Amy Adams, Emma Stone, and Carey Mulligan are all really good choices for Janet. Also, for some reason I could see Michelle Dockery of "Downton Abbey" making her big American screen debut as Janet.
James Marsden is perfect for Robert, and I would kill for Liza as Tottendale. And Nicole would make a great Drowsy!
I love the show, so I hope it's done well. And if it's really released next year against Annie, Into The Woods, Jersey Boys, and The Last Five Years, then it's gonna be a great year for the movie musical.
"I saw Pavarotti play Rodolfo on stage and with his girth I thought he was about to eat the whole table at the Cafe Momus." - Dollypop
The Chaperone. The actress must have great comedic timing and be able to belt As They Stumble Along. The role isn't really limited by age. She should be older than Janet, but could really be anywhere from 30-70. Possibilities: Kristin Chenowith, Bette Midler, or Glenn Close. Chenowith did a version of "I'm Tired," Madeline Kahn's song from Blazing Saddles, during her concert at the Hollywood Bowl last weekend and I could totally see her playing the Chaperone the same way.
Janet: Samantha Barks, Demi Lovato, Kate Mara, Zooey Deschanel. Mara and Deschanel are bordering on the older side for the role.
Robert: I can't think of any Hollywood actors in the 20-35 age group that sing and dance that well. James Marsden, Patrick Wilson, or Hugh Jackman are older if the movie went with Robert being a bit older than Janet.
George: The role seems like it was written with someone like Nathan Lane or Jason Alexander in mind, but they might be a bit old for the "best man" role.
Can someone tell me why the latest BWW article talking about Geoffrey Rush in the Drowsy Chaperone movie is exclusive? Is it because Bob Martin confirmed it as opposed to the earlier confirmation? I guess the first two exclusive breaking news articles weren't enough?