Film Adaptation of SUNSET BOULEVARD in the Works! Will Glenn Close Reprise Her Role?

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

If so, could she finally win her long-awaited Academy Award?

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Breaking-News-Movie-Musical-Version-of-SUNSET-BOULEVARD-in-the-Works-Glenn-Close-to-Star-20160104

[CarlosAlberto]

So many of these stage-to-film adaptations that are announced as "in the works" often times never see the light of day. But if by chance this does wind up getting made I would love to see someone else do the role of "Norma Desmond".

 

She really is too old for the role, and besides she had the opportunity to do it on Broadway so why not let another age appropriate actress get a chance to play it?

 

I could see Jake Gyllenhaal as "Joe Gillis"

 

 

[Tag]

Something's a little off here.  Webber said on Theatre Talk that they were close to confirming the filming of the ENO performance (like Sweeney).  I can't imagine both that and a film version would be in the works at the same time.

[Musical Master]

Tag said: "Something's a little off here.  Webber said on Theatre Talk that they were close to confirming the filming of the ENO performance (like Sweeney).  I can't imagine both that and a film version would be in the works at the same time."

 

COUGH!LesMisCOUGH!

 

[Broadway kid 2]

Tag said: "Something's a little off here.  Webber said on Theatre Talk that they were close to confirming the filming of the ENO performance (like Sweeney).  I can't imagine both that and a film version would be in the works at the same time.

 

"

 

[tazber]

So basically nothing new here.

 

Same old same old.

 

When we start getting concrete info regarding casting and creatives I'll believe it.

[CindersGolightly]

I don't want to see Glenn Close do this. Film her ENO performance and get someone else for the film. Please.

[CATSNYrevival]

I wouldn't mind a film of the ENO concert as long as Webber doesn't auto tune the s#!t out of it like he did with the Jesus Christ Superstar arena tour filming.

 

Has there been any mention of a designer for the concert? Will it be like Price's Sweeney Todd concert or more fully staged and designed like the Phantom of the Opera anniversary concert?

[Tag]

Price is directing it, so I imagine more Sweeney-like.

[Jane2]

 

"She really is too old for the role"

 

I'm curious, how old is Glenn Close? Norma Desmond was at her peak in silent films.

[CATSNYrevival]

Norma is supposed to be 50. Glenn is 68.

[imeldasturn]

Yes, but if it makes sense, I think being 50 in 1950 is different than being 50 in 2016.

[chernjam]

I'm really not convinced her reprising the role for the ENO is a great move.  She had a very thin, light voice back in 1994 when she starred in LA and Broadway.  Don't think 20 years on will improve that and do justice to one of ALW's most beautiful scores.  

[ChgoTheatreGuy]

I remember Mr. Lloyd Webber saying that if the film was going to be made that he wanted Madonna to play Norma.  I don't know if this would mean she would have to do more vocal training, like she did for "Evita".  I don't even know if she would be interested in playing a has been, unless their was Oscar talk behind it...I LOVE the original film, saw Glenn Close on Broadway and was severely disappointed...

[CindersGolightly]

I'm for anyone who hasn't played it before. I think Madonna would be lovely.

[SNAFU]

People looked a lot older then their age in the 40's and fifties. Partly fashion, partly life styles ( drinking ,smoking and unhealthy eating). Just take a look at the movies from that era!

 

[tazber]

If it really happens I think Glenn would be amazing.

 

And I would so love to see her get an Oscar.

 

 

 

 

[Scarywarhol]

It will never happen, and it never should. 

 

Leave that great, singular, perfect, of-its-time movie alone.

[Jane2]

What just went through my mind was the sound of Betty Buckley singing the last line of With One Look, and then I imagined the same line coming from Madonna. oy vey.

[tazber]

Plus Norma didn't have a fake British accent.

[qolbinau]

I would love to see Glenn Close give an incredible close-up acting performance on film, with a heavy technology supported studio-recorded soundtrack. 

 

But don't have much interest to see her struggle with the score in a concert setting.

Please, not Madonna. We have already had to suffer her in Evita.

[Sally Durant Plummer]

Please no.

 

But as Gypsy seems DOA, Barbra Streisand would be a much better fit for Sunset. A faded star desperately clinging to fame and a lover? Seems like a wonderful vehicle for her.

[Mister Matt]

Had the film been made 15-20 years ago, I would have begged to have Liza cast as Norma.  Now, I really just DON'T want Close or Streisand.  And I can't think of a single reason why Madonna would be cast, much less why anyone would want her cast other than to cash in on her fan base with no regard about the film itself.  There is zero evidence she would be able to handle the role or the score in a remotely believable way.  Not unless they cut most of her music and reset the action to take place in a trendy gay dance club.  Not that I think she'd even be interested.  She'd have to remove her grill and she needs it to piss people off.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

It'll never happen, a studio would never back this project, especially since Lloyd Webber films have consistently underperformed at the box office, and that was back when studios were interested in producing movies that didn't feature super heroes or lightsabers. 

I'll still indulge in the fantasy casting. I agree that Close would be great with the help of technology-enhanced vocals. Her voice is strong enough that they could "sweeten" the sound without making her sound like a robot. Yes, she's older than Gloria Swanson was when she played the role. But I don't think casting an older Norma would have a negative impact on the piece, it's not like she looks like she is in her 80s. 

Really, the actress working today that I think would most closely capture the elegance, sexiness, darkness and delusion that Swanson immortalized is Catherine Zeta-Jones. Give her a visionary director who can rein her in when needed and let her go big when necessary and I firmly believe she could be a Norma for the ages.

[Sally Durant Plummer]

I mean, in my dreams Patti would take Sunset to the silver screen and bring her rage and fury to create the perfect Norma - the one encaptulated in her final performance, which is, what I consider, the peak of Norma's material. Of course, she would never take the part nor would she be considered. But I can still dream, right?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4sVjqAqaTs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFzD-ddoUcg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ft3gUoQMyzc

 

PS I thought Zeta-Jones was banned from musicals after her horrific Tony performance. Kidding, of course :)