Just curious...what musical do you want to see made into a movie and with who..for me its "Into The Woods" with Catherine Zeta-Jones as the Witch, Nicole Kidman as the Baker's Wife, and Hugh Jackman as Cinderella's Prince, and... "Jesus Christ Superstar" (again) with Jude Law as Jesus, Ewan McGregor as Judas, and Beyonce Knowles as Mary Magdalene.
Proof, although its not a musical. I saw it performed a few months back @ Arena Stage in Washington, DC. Just hope that Hollywood wouldn't dumb it down for the target demographic group that it pitches practically all summer releases to.
"City of Angels" (a witty musical comedy set in the golden age of film noir - I think it would be intriguing).
"Crazy For You" (with Catherine Zeta-Jones as Polly).
"Merrily We Roll Along" (I personally think this would work great as a film - a la "Memento").
"The Most Happy Fella" (This probably would have had a longer run, a slew of Tonys and a hit film adaptation had it not opened under the shadows of "My Fair Lady").
"Ragtime" (all star cast in epic adaptation)
"Sunset Boulevard" (pick a diva? I personally would love to see Elaine Paige... but while I'm dreaming I'd like a pony).
"Sweeney Todd" (its in the making. I just hope it's really good).
Definitely Ragtime! With Renee Zellwegger as Evelyn Nesbit and maybe Alfred Molina as Tateh! Jackman would make a great Father, and Queen Latifah would be amazing singing "Till We Reach That Day".
I'd also like to see Into The Woods- and I think Catherine Zeta Jones would make an amazing Witch! And Kidman and Jackman would be great in the movie, as well.
Sally Bowles - Renee Zellweger (she's perfect for this part in every single way) Emcee - Jude Law Fraulein Schneider - Judi Dench Herr Schultz - Hal Linden Clifford Bradshaw - Eric McCormack Herr Ludwig - Denis O'Hare Fraulien Kost - Melissa Errico
Ragtime:
Coalhouse - Jesse L. Martin Mother - Lea Thompson Tateh - Robin Williams Father - Kevin Kline Sarah - Deborah Cox Mother's Younger Brother - Neil Patrick Harris Emma Goldman - Kathy Bates Evelyn Nesbit - Jane Krakowski (I don't care if she's too old)Harry Houdini - Hugh Jackman J.P. Morgan - Kelsey Grammar Henry Ford - Ewan McGregor Sarah's Friend - Lillias White
Hairspray:
Tracy Turnblad - Marissa Jaret Winokur Edna Turnblad - Harvey Fierstein/Danny DeVito/John Goodman Link Larkin - Justin Timberlake Penny Pingleton - Christy Carlson Romano Amber Von Tussell - Kirsten Dunst Velma Von Tussell - Glenn Close Seaweed Maybelle - Usher Raymond Motormouth Maybelle - Patti LaBelle Updated On: 2/21/04 at 07:36 PM
I like your Hairspray casting(although Latifah MUST play Motormouth if another version is ever made), but your Ragtime casting would never work.
Jesse L. Martin and Lea Thompson are not big enough names to star in a movie musical nowadays. Jane Krakowski would be very good, actually, and so would Kathy Bates, but Robin Williams as Tateh? Come on.
STARLIGHT EXPRESS!!!! Not a big screen version,Just the show on a DVD. They should do more shows like that. Look at CATS. Saying that i cant fault CHICAGO....
To me, at least, it shouldn't really matter if they are big names, or not. Having been in the show (not that it matters), I think that they would be perfect. Right looks, right vocal qualities, right ages... just right everything!
And you heard me correctly... Robin Williams would be a terrific Tateh. He is an impeccable actor, and a gifted mimic. He could handle the accent with no problem. Peter Friedman wasn't much of a singer, either.
As for Latifah as Motormouth... She was the first name that popped in my head. But, I don't think that her voice is right for the part. It lacks that edge that makes the part so special, and so different from the rest of the show.
KIRsten dunst? in a musical...she couldnt even cheer in bring it on.....shes got no rythem and got id hate to hear that voice sing...... ugh rene but worse.
Yes--they need to bring stars in the show. If they don't bring stars in, no one's going to want to see it. Ragtime isn't the most popular musical- everyone knows that. Although it's an AMAZING show, the public won't want to see it unless you have stars like Hugh Jackman or Renee Zellweger. That's the way it is. Is that the way the Broadway poplation wants it? Absolutely not. But that's the way the public is. They have no interest in musicals unless they're seeing something they want--stars.
Updated On: 2/22/04 at 10:22 PM
I would like to see Ragtime (could easily be done well) Rent(If given the proper director, could be great) And possibly Into the Woods.
"Wherever you go... I'll be right there. When you get your own private kick in the ass, just remember: it's a present from me to you."
Rose's dying words to Louise
What I was doing was presenting my ideal cast. I thought about each role before I "cast" it. In retrospect, I can't think of any celebrity who is better for any of the parts, regardless of whether they are popular on Broadway or on film.
I prefer when they put the stage version onto DVD (as said above). It seems like when a show is made into a movie, it often lacks a lot of things that made the stage version so good.
I agree...I don't think they should be made into like movie movies, but just film the stage versions. I don't think it should be done till after the show is about to close though or else people will stop attending the actual live version! I would really love to have some of my favorites on dvd though!
"Take a breath. Take a step. Take a chance. Take your time." -L5Y
Maybe some flops might work better on film...more intimacy. LaChiusa's "Wild Party" (yeah, I know I always go to that, but its one of my favorites). "Dear World" with Liza (oh, why the hell not?!) If Tim Burton did "Candide" in the animated style of Nightmare Before Christmas or James and the Giant Peach, it would be a mighty cool thing.
"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
~ Muhammad Ali
BTW: The movie version of "Proof" is being made with Gwyneth Paltrow, Jake Gyllenhaal, and I think Anthony Hopkins.
Spike Lee was to direct the movie of "Rent" (a brilliant idea, I think, he has an excellent sense of music and the fantasy New York he creates in his films--the colors a little too bright, etc.--would be perfect for Larson's world) and auditioned Marc Anthony, Raul Esparza, Justin Timberlake and others. For some odd reason, the Larson family wasn't happy with Spike's ideas or something and pulled the project from him. It probably won't get made now.
Joel Schumacher tried to do "Dreamgirls" about five years ago with Lauren Hill (ugh), the studio pulled it.
I also remember hearing about a "Damn Yankees" movie being worked with Rob Marshall....Liza in "Sunset Blvd" with Hugh Jackman and Scorcese....Cher in "Mame"(??) for TV..."Sweeney Todd" with Tim Burton, then Spielberg, then Rob Marshall, then Sam Mendes...and that "Guys and Dolls" remake they keep threatening to subject us to with Vin Diesel and Nicole Kidman.
"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
~ Muhammad Ali