People Focus....News of a Jesus Christ Superstar Movie Remake and A Wicked Movie....I Kid You Not

[bwybuff87]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 1:35am

An article just posted by variety about six hours ago concerning the producer of the new movie Wanted reads as follows: P.S. READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE. It includes news about other upcoming projects, including the NINE movie and a movie about George Gershwins life

Link to article: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117988927.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

Universal Pictures has reupped "Wanted" producer Marc Platt for five years, keeping Marc Platt Prods. on the lot through late 2012.
Deal comes as Platt begins work on "Wanted 2" with director Timur Bekmambetov and writers Michael Brandt and Derek Haas.
The producer also just set up a remake of the 1973 rock opera "Jesus Christ Superstar," and Platt and the studio are taking formative steps toward a screen adaptation of "Wicked," the stage musical that Universal co-finances and Platt produces with David Stone.
After crossing the $1 billion mark in worldwide stage gross and opening its eighth production in Australia, "Wicked" has become one of the studio's most profitable investments and could follow a stage-to-screen track reminiscent of "Mamma Mia!" which U bows Friday.
Platt, who transitioned from U production prexy to producer under Stacey Snider and Ron Meyer, has been at the studio for a decade. While he remains close with Snider (who left to run DreamWorks), he said he's loyal to Meyer -- who championed U's investment in "Wicked" -- and has developed strong ties to U Pictures chairman Marc Shmuger, co-chairman David Linde and production president Donna Langley.
U brass has made it a priority to lock up their big suppliers, and Platt's pact follows longterm deals made by Imagine Entertainment and Working Title.
"Marc has strong commercial tastes, but so eclectic that you can't put him in a box or category," Langley said. "Our goal now is absolutely to make the 'Wicked' film, but much like Judy Craymer wouldn't give up screen rights to 'Mamma Mia!' until the stage show had reached its pinnacle, Marc and Stephen Schwartz are very mindful of the right timing. But we're dying to do it."
Platt, who produced the play with Stone and U, confirmed they are in early movie talks, and that book writer Winnie Holzman will write the script.
Proceeding at quicker pace is "Wanted 2," though Platt acknowledged that the creative team is still working on the challenge of continuing the story after most of the principal characters -- including Angelina Jolie -- ended the original in no position for an encore. But the film was designed as a potential franchise, Langley said, and it is still performing strongly after grossing $192.6 million worldwide. The intention is to get James McAvoy back into gunslinging mode.
"The writers are at work already, and those creative discussions are taking place," said Platt, who is producing once again with Jim Lemley.
That duo also is teamed with Bekmambetov on a Universal adaptation of the Christian Gossett sci-fi graphic novel "The Red Star," which has a script draft by Matthew Sand.
Platt is working on two other screen musicals. His next film, for the Weinstein Co., is the Rob Marshall-directed "Nine," which stars Daniel Day-Lewis and shoots in London this fall. For Universal, he's just agreed to supervise a remake of the studio's rock opera "Jesus Christ Superstar," which was directed by Norman Jewison with songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. Platt is in discussions with filmmakers.
The producer's next film for Universal will be "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World," an adaptation of the Michael Bacall graphic novel series that will be directed by Edgar Wright. Platt is producing with Big Talk Prods. partners Nira Park and Wright, who wrote the script with Bacall.
Platt has set several projects at the studio. One is "Gershwin," a biopic of George Gershwin that will be written by Doug Wright ("Quills"). Platt, who is partnered on the project with pianist and Gershwin expert Michael Feinstein, said the film has the support of the estate of George and Ira Gershwin, and will revolve around Gershwin's life during the formative stages of "Porgy and Bess."
Other Platt projects include: "Family Bond," which he'll produce with Al Gough and Miles Millar, with Jeff Lowell scripting; "Drive," a Hossein Amini-scripted adaptation of the James Sallis novel that will be directed by Neil Marshall ("The Descent"), which Platt will produce with John Palermo and star Hugh Jackman's Seed Prods.; and "The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud," an adaptation of the Ben Sherwood novel that Joe Johnston will direct.
Platt's next stage venture is a Roundabout Theater production of "Pal Joey," which is being directed by Joe Mantello in December.


"Marc has strong commercial tastes, but so eclectic that you can't put him in a box or category," Langley said. "Our goal now is absolutely to make the 'Wicked' film, but much like Judy Craymer wouldn't give up screen rights to 'Mamma Mia!' until the stage show had reached its pinnacle, Marc and Stephen Schwartz are very mindful of the right timing. But we're dying to do it."

Platt, who produced the play with Stone and U, confirmed they are in early movie talks, and that book writer Winnie Holzman will write the script.

Proceeding at quicker pace is "Wanted 2," though Platt acknowledged that the creative team is still working on the challenge of continuing the story after most of the principal characters -- including Angelina Jolie -- ended the original in no position for an encore. But the film was designed as a potential franchise, Langley said, and it is still performing strongly after grossing $192.6 million worldwide. The intention is to get James McAvoy back into gunslinging mode.

"The writers are at work already, and those creative discussions are taking place," said Platt, who is producing once again with Jim Lemley.

That duo also is teamed with Bekmambetov on a Universal adaptation of the Christian Gossett sci-fi graphic novel "The Red Star," which has a script draft by Matthew Sand.

Platt is working on two other screen musicals. His next film, for the Weinstein Co., is the Rob Marshall-directed "Nine," which stars Daniel Day-Lewis and shoots in London this fall. For Universal, he's just agreed to supervise a remake of the studio's rock opera "Jesus Christ Superstar," which was directed by Norman Jewison with songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. Platt is in discussions with filmmakers.

The producer's next film for Universal will be "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World," an adaptation of the Michael Bacall graphic novel series that will be directed by Edgar Wright. Platt is producing with Big Talk Prods. partners Nira Park and Wright, who wrote the script with Bacall.

Platt has set several projects at the studio. One is "Gershwin," a biopic of George Gershwin that will be written by Doug Wright ("Quills"). Platt, who is partnered on the project with pianist and Gershwin expert Michael Feinstein, said the film has the support of the estate of George and Ira Gershwin, and will revolve around Gershwin's life during the formative stages of "Porgy and Bess."

Other Platt projects include: "Family Bond," which he'll produce with Al Gough and Miles Millar, with Jeff Lowell scripting; "Drive," a Hossein Amini-scripted adaptation of the James Sallis novel that will be directed by Neil Marshall ("The Descent"), which Platt will produce with John Palermo and star Hugh Jackman's Seed Prods.; and "The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud," an adaptation of the Ben Sherwood novel that Joe Johnston will direct.

Platt's next stage venture is a Roundabout Theater production of "Pal Joey," which is being directed by Joe Mantello in December."

[brettystar]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 1:42am

I still think it will be some time before Wicked is made as a film.

Look at Phantom and Rent, those projects were talked about for years before they were finally made as films.

I think it would be craziness to make a film for at least another 5 years if the tickets sales keep going as strong as they are currently.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 1:46am

NO! Pleaaase don't remake JCS.

[taylor_kras]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 2:21am

I hope they bring in someone new for Elphaba and Glinda. Also that they look age appropriate. I also hope that the Elphaba has a darker tone to her voice ala Eden Espinosa.

JCS could be awesome. I hope they bring in Drew Sarich!

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 3:09am

Oh God, Winnie Holzman is writing the script???? Save us God!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 5:15am

Eh. Remember how long some musicals *cough*LesMiz*cough* have been in development hell. Save your energy.

[James885]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 9:52am

I hope the bit about Winnie Holzman doing the screenplay isn't true. Her book is one of the show's most glaring flaws.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 9:59am

A Wicked movie was inevitable. Of course there is going to be a film adaptation at some point. It's the most successful stage show of the decade (I guess the century, technically).

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 10:00am

According to Mackintosh himself, Les Mis was never in development hell as it never went in to development.Lots of talks but thats it

Posted: 7/15/08 at 10:36am

Winnie Holtzman took a dark, rambling, nearly un-adaptable book and made it the frame work for the most successful musical of our time.

[ICEcreamAssassin]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 10:51am

Does anyone remember the rumor about JCS movie remake starring Chris Cornell from Sound Garden. Really old rumor.

As I watching Wanted I noticed they flashed the Wicked Marquis in Chicago. Upon second viewing I caught Marc's name on the opening credits.. A ha! lol

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 11:30am

I think we all know, deep down, that they aren't going to make a Wicked movie with anyone who's done it one stage...

[Kev14]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 11:31am

"I hope they bring in someone new for Elphaba and Glinda"

^I'm sure they will. It will be years before Wicked is made into a film and by that time the originals will be too old to play high school kids.

[folkyboy]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 12:00pm

Eh, I'll believe it when I see it.

[BwayBoundJoe]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 1:25pm

"Eh, I'll believe it when I see it."

i agree...

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 1:28pm

They are in college, not high school.

[blaxx]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 2:26pm

It's the most successful stage show of the decade (I guess the century, technically).

No, the millenium. No, EVER!

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 3:08pm

"Eh. Remember how long some musicals *cough*LesMiz*cough* have been in development hell. Save your energy."

Don't forget Sunset Boulevard.

Anyways, I have hope for Amy Adams as Glinda (typecasting?) and Carly Smithson from American Idol as Elphaba. If she can act.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 3:11pm

I don't know if Amy Adams has the range for Galinda. Kristen Bell, maybe.

[E.Davis]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 3:11pm

I really hope universal is smart and makes a straight movie out of wicked and not the musical. I think it will translate better as a movie than musical-movie. I can just imagine defying gravity being really awkward

[BDrischBDemented]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 3:59pm

"I really hope universal is smart and makes a straight movie out of wicked and not the musical."

Um, if they're smart, they'd do the musical, as it would attract so much more revenue from the twelve-year-old fag hags. If they wanted to make a good movie, sure, the book would be the way to go, but since it all comes down to money... they'd be stupid not to adapt the musical

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 4:04pm

Updated On: 5/2/09 at 04:04 PM

[heathurrr]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 4:37pm

I loved the Wicked book, I loved the stage adaption.
I do no, however, love the idea of a Wicked movie. But hey, maybe it will surprise me. But for now I say that I do not think it will work as well on a screen.

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 4:40pm

A fag hag is a slang term for a woman who either associates mostly or exclusively with homosexual men, or is best or good friends with a gay man or men. It originated in gay male culture in the United States and was historically an insult.[1] Some women who associate with gay men object to being called fag hags,[2] while others embrace the term.[3][4]

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 4:43pm

Updated On: 5/2/09 at 04:43 PM