Guys and Dolls

[birchie]

I know this is in the wrong place but I couldn't find the random bits thing. We've often talked about Hugh doing Guys and Dolls and were happy to hear when Fox got the rights but this was just released and I'm nauseous:
www.playbill.com/news/article/177274-Fox-Nabs-Rights-for-Guys-and-Dolls-Film-Remake-Channing-Tatum-and-Joseph-Gordon-Levitt-May-Star

Fox Nabs Rights for Guys and Dolls Film Remake; Channing Tatum and Joseph Gordon-Levitt May Star

By Adam Hetrick
24 Apr 2013

Frank Loesser's 1950 musical Guys and Dolls is heading back to the big screen. Deadline.com reports that 20th Century Fox has obtained rights from the composer-lyricist's widow, Jo Sullivan Loesser, to remake the beloved Golden Age classic.

The studio is in the early stages of the project, which they hope will star Channing Tatum ("Magic Mike," "The Vow") and Joseph Gordon-Levitt ("Looper," "The Dark Knight Rises") as Nathan Detroit and Sky Masterson, respectively.

The roles were originated on film by Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando in 1955. The highly successful 1992 Broadway revival starred Nathan Lane, Faith Prince, Peter Gallagher and Josie de Guzman. A 2009 Broadway revival with Oliver Platt, Lauren Graham, Craig Bierko and Kate Jennings Grant proved short-lived.

A writer and director are not yet attached, according to Deadline.com.

Guys and Dolls features music and lyrics by Loesser with a book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. The popular musical is based on the stories and characters of American chronicler Damon Runyon. The original Broadway production, starring Robert Alda, Isabel Bigley, Sam Levene and Vivian Blaine, won five Tony Awards and ran for 1,200 performances.

Seriously??? Channing Tatum and Joseph Gordon-Levitt starring??? I know Joe can sing but even so this would not work for me.
Sue

[jo]

If Hugh is not doing it -- they could have found a more worthy pair to revive the memories of Brando and Sinatra! Ugh!!

Jo

[birchie]

Apr 24, 2013 18:55:55 GMT -5 jo said:

If Hugh is not doing it -- they could have found a more worthy pair to revive the memories of Brando and Sinatra! Ugh!!

Jo

Yes, I was stunned. That combo (CT & JG-L) would never have been anywhere near my radar for Nathan Detroit and Sky Masterson!
Sue

[mamaleh]

What is this mania with aiming for Generation Y? Its members don't even like musicals, as a rule. G-L does have some musical chops, but if I assume correctly that Fox has him in mind for Nathan Detroit, what good do those skills do him? Traditionally, Detroit has only the one song (two if you count "Traveling Light," cut out of town in 1950 and never again used). Tatum, who would likely play Sky, is known for his moves, not his pipes. And Sky doesn't even really dance except for maybe a bit in the "Havana" number if so staged.

What's more, Sky is a seasoned ladies man who knows how to juggle his "dolls" and his dice. In other words, he's been around the block, and then some, and has built quite a reputation. That takes the gravitas of a smooth, confident man. And then there's Nathan. He's been engaged for 14 long years to his long-suffering nightclub chanteuse fiancee, who has a "feeling she's getting too old." So Fox is casting younger???

Tatum and G-L simply don't fit those roles.

If Jo Loesser had given permission to do the property a decade ago instead of just recently, who knows what would have happened? Then again, Hugh had to turn down the PHANTOM movie because he was prepping for TBFO. Timing is everything, unfortunately. But this stinks. I was so hoping if a CAROUSEL movie was not happening, at least there was the strong possibility of G&D. But it doesn't look good. Bleh!

Ellen

[jo]

But this stinks

I most certainly agree!!

It seems Hollywood is not only bent towards "infantilizing" its action and other tentpole genres but also America's cultural heritage in musicals!

This does not seem like a done deal, though. Maybe they are just testing the waters if a classic musical "pitched imperfectly" towards the "young demos" will have broad appeal, with such a casting! Forget the suitability to the characters -- so long as there will be screaming fans at the screening???

On the other hand, I wonder if Hugh's continuing but increasingly fragile link to HOUDINI now is causing him to turn down some musical roles on film?

Jo

[mamaleh]

I do wonder how close Sorkin was to finishing the book for HOUDINI. I always assumed it was just being polished, but if it was indeed nowhere near finished, that would certainly throw Hugh's schedule into disarray. Well, Hugh would have to know more than we know -- so I'm sure he's basing his career decisions on matters as they stand.

Ellen

[jo]

Unless Sorkin is still in the picture, but not too obviously so - -maybe he is still discreetly helping out ? Hence, why has there been no bookwriter asked to pitch in, for such a high-profile project? Bigtime Hollywood names who are acting as producers, bigtime theatre director attached, bigtime musical composer continuing to work on the musical score, very bigtime theatre and Hollywood name involved -- something must still be afoot!

Could there have been creative differences between the two main creatives or just scheduling misalignments? Aren't they both generally based on the West Coast? I do remember reading that Schwartz had no intention of writing another big musical until he learned that he would be working with Sorkin and readily hopped on board.

Hoping bigtime that we will be in for a nice big surprise eventually

Jo

[apetricc12]

I think we should remain hopeful that perhaps Hugh still has a shot at being in Guys and Dolls. I'm encouraged since Fox is behind it.

I think Gordon Joseph-Levitt is a very capable actor so I can see him playing Nathan. But I'm not sure how I feel about Channing Tatum. I actually think he's a bit too young for the role.

Annette P