Weinstein in Secret negotiations with Morrison

[The Pud]

Posted: 9/3/14 at 12:46pm

According to an article in the NY Post today, Harvey Weinstein is in secret negotiations with Matthew
Morrison to replace Jeremy Jordan in Finding Neverland. I think this is a little unethical.

[The Pud]

Posted: 9/3/14 at 12:50pm

NY Post article

http://nypost.com/2014/09/03/the-plank-might-be-out-again-for-finding-neverland/

Updated On: 9/3/14 at 12:50 PM

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 9/3/14 at 12:51pm

How is it in any way unethical? Jeremy Jordan and the rest of the cast are contracted only for the run at ART. The Broadway production is an entirely separate entity.

[The Pud]

Posted: 9/3/14 at 12:55pm

Jordan was used as a stand in without his knowledge. Morrison was who Weinstein wanted all
along but he wasn't available because of Glee. The only question now is will Harvey pay the
price.


Updated On: 9/3/14 at 12:55 PM

[Kad]

Posted: 9/3/14 at 12:56pm

No, he wasn't. He was contracted to do a production. He may not continue with the production when it becomes re-contracted upon its transfer. It happens all the time.

I am sure he will be compensated very nicely.

Updated On: 9/3/14 at 12:56 PM

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 9/3/14 at 12:57pm

Morrison did a previous workshop and was unavailable for this one because of Glee. We all know that, so I'm sure Jeremy knows that.

[The Pud]

Posted: 9/3/14 at 12:59pm

You have no idea, but you will, just saying.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 9/3/14 at 1:03pm

WTF are you talking about?

[Kad]

Posted: 9/3/14 at 1:04pm

...We have no idea about what? What "price" has to be paid?

The article states that there was allegedly nothing in Jordan's contract about continuing with the production should it transfer.

So what's unethical?

[Back Row]

Posted: 9/3/14 at 1:17pm

The use of the word "secret" implies that Weinstein is not being up front with Jordan. Whether that is indeed the case is probably something that only a handful of people know.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 9/3/14 at 1:33pm

...And it's irrelevant. The primary reason it's probably secret is because these types of negotiations shouldn't be leaked, thus Jeremy Jordan not even knowing about it. Producers always try to avoid leaked casting negotiations.

[Kad]

Posted: 9/3/14 at 1:50pm

If Jordan's contract- which I assume was negotiated over by Jordan's representation- does not stipulate he has right of first refusal for a transfer, Weinstein can negotiate "secretly" to his heart's content.

And that's showbiz.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/3/14 at 1:56pm

This is so transparent. The only reason he's doing this is out of fear. I think Weinstein is underestimating Jeremy Jordan's appeal and overestimating Matthew Morrison's popularity coming off a show that stopped being relevant years ago.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 9/3/14 at 2:24pm

Jeremy Jordan definitely has a lot less appeal than Matthew Morrison, who is an Emmy and Tony nominee, and stars in a TV series that is known globally. Like it or not (and I hate, loathe and despise GLEE and find him and his character particularly terrible), he is very much a bigger name than Jeremy Jordan, whose most high profile job so far was on SMASH as a character often described by critics and people on the board as one of the worst characters on television at the time. Morrison not only brings his GLEE credits, but he has been in some of the most highly acclaimed Broadway shows of the past decade--HAIRSPRAY, THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, and the SOUTH PACIFIC revival. It's a smart move from Harvey, ruthless maybe, but you should know that when you get into the Harvey business.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 9/3/14 at 2:50pm

Well, if Jordan wasn't supposed to know about it, he sure as hell will now!

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 9/3/14 at 2:54pm

"Jeremy Jordan, whose most high profile job so far was on SMASH as a character often described by critics and people on the board as one of the worst characters on television at the time"

Not quite. Jeremy Jordan was the Tony nominated star of Newsies. Despite its closing, Newsies has a pretty huge fanbase.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 9/3/14 at 3:02pm

There are a lot of Broadway roles that actors are *promised* and end up not playing.

--Sincerely Patti LuPone

[DAME]

Posted: 9/3/14 at 3:03pm

In some of those press interviews Jordan didn't look so happy. There is one which I recall in which he is sitting with his co star and every time she answers a question he has this look on his face that to me read like he is saying.."what a f'ing idiot." Even in his answers you can tell he just is a little over it. Of course this is all my interoperation of it. I found the link to what I think is the interview. But now when I click on it it goes right to a commercial and nothing else. Maybe someone else will have better luck?
http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Jeremy-Jordan-Laura-Michelle-Kelly-Talk-FINDING-NEVERLAND-20140812

[valeposh]

Posted: 9/3/14 at 3:15pm

Regardless of personal opinions, I think it's pretty clear that Matthew is way more known than Jeremy Jordan (whom I adore). I personally also like Morrison more, and think he'd be more suited, age-wise and vocal range. But that's my personal opinion. Jordan's contract is only through the end of the ART run, and I'm sure he knows very well he can be replaced or kept on, and that wouldn't be "secret" or "fishy" as that stupid article makes it sound.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/3/14 at 3:15pm

Is that the Richard Ridge interview? I wouldn't be happy having to be interviewed by him either.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 9/3/14 at 3:18pm

I'll take a million Richard Ridges over one Paul Wontorek….or hell, even Seth Rudetsky.

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 9/3/14 at 3:32pm

What "secret?" Everyone has known about Morrison's involvement since the workshop. It is not a secret.

[DAME]

Posted: 9/3/14 at 3:33pm

It might be. I can't recall. I just remember every time his co star answered a question he would contradict her

[Princeton Returns]

Posted: 9/3/14 at 3:40pm

Matthew Morrison is definitely better known but im not convinced he will attract audiences, name recognition doesn't always equate to ticket sales. Outside of Glee he hasn't really taken off,and even his role in glee has cut right back.


I personally find him quite cheesy and cringe these days, not convinced he is a strong enough actor for this role.

[tazber]

Posted: 9/3/14 at 3:45pm

Morrison is one of the most bland actors I have ever seen.