Thursday, July 24, 2008

More Movie Musicals On The Horizon


It seems the movie musical's resurgence in popularity has everyone in Hollyood scrambling...

I'm not sure which has me cringing more: John Waters writing the sequel to the movie musical Hairspray (with an eye on the cast of the 2007 film to reprise their roles) or Emma Thompson authoring the screenplay for the remake of the Lerner and Loewe classic My Fair Lady.

Meanwhile MTV is planning to revamp Rocky Horror Picture Show and Kenny Ortega is bringing Footloose back to the movie houses. It should be interesting to see how the Broadway incarnations of those films impact the remakes...

And over at Universal, Marc Platt is planning the film remake of Jesus Christ Superstar and Wicked's move to the silver screen (which, if you ask me, will ultimately be the one to beat).

In case you were wondering, I am still on the fence as to whether or not this movie musical mania is madness or euphoria.


UPDATE: I neglected to mentioned the upcoming film of Sondheim's Follies, which has Aaron Sorkin in the unenviable position of adapting. And, of course, there is movie musical wiz Rob Marshall's adaptation of Nine.

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5 comments:

Esther said...

I dunno, I like Emma Thompson. But I am a little wary of John Waters. As much as I love the music, I don't know where he could take the story of Hairspray that would make it as dramatic and compelling as the original. But more tunes from Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, I'm up (or down) with that! And I honestly don't think we're going to see a Wicked movie anytime soon, as much as I would love it.

Sarah B. Roberts said...

It's madness, I tell you! Madness! Unless they say, of, "We're going to make movie of Follies using only Broadway actors." Then, I'll change my tune.

Alicia said...

Esther: I love Emma Thompson and everything that she had done thus far. I am just not a huge fan of My Fair Lady. I'll see it because she is writing it. And Keira Knightley is rumored to be in talks for Eliza...

Sarah: I completely forgot about Follies. I am completely underwhelmed by the fact that Aaron Sorkin is penning that one. As for casting... nothing yet. Would be great if they went with the CityCenter cast... There are a few in that one that have crossover appeal. We shall see...

Nicholas Borelli said...

I prefer my music in the theater. Film musicals . . . .

Recently saw "Wonderful Town" at Richter Park in Danbury. Woks well in person; not sure I'd want to see it as a film.

Regards

Margo said...

I would love to see Wicked - both in the theatre and on the big screen! When I visited NYC, I didn't get to make it to that show and I've never made it to the traveling productions in Houston. I saw your comment on sarah's blog about how seth made you feel like an insider when he deconstructed "walking in space" - does he have a blog? I would love to read about it. Thanks!