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Post by jo on Mar 26, 2017 5:02:32 GMT -5
It has always been supposed to be a musical biopic but seen through a contemporary prism. It was planned way, way before the greenlit film project ever came into being. Compared to Hugh's first movie musical, Les Miserables was approved for a film adaptation in the last months of 2010, then auditions and casting came around mid-2011, after Tom Hooper was hired as director. Hugh admitted that it was the very first movie that he ever worked so hard to get the lead role in. He heard about it from his agent ...and he hounded Hooper to give him an audition even before Hooper had signed on. His audition turned out to be a workshop where he had to sing all the parts of Valjean in a very long musical - something like a 3-4 hour audition! But I do remember what the casting director Nina Gold said of Hugh's audition -- that her hair was on fire when he heard him sing because she finally believed that they may have a Valjean ( someone who can act, can sing, looks physically strong, and can look noble)! In 2009, Hugh had a production company ( now defunct) called SEED Productions and one of the future projects was the Barnum biopic, then called THE GREATEST SHOWMAN ON EARTH and had a different musical team... The original script by Jenny Bicks was slanted towards Barnum's supposed infatuation with Jenny Lind -- but that has long changed. And it has changed very much. First, Bill Condon ( Dreamgirls, Beauty and the Beast) was supposed to have reviewed the script and provided his inputs but that did not pass either. The studio supposedly wanted greater emphasis on Barnum's life as an impresario who founded the bigtop circus. Eventually, Michael Arndt ( who won an Oscar for Little Miss Sunshine and was nominated for Toy Story 3; also wrote the script for STAR WARS: The Force Awakens and one of the sequels of Hunger Games) rewrote the script which became the final basis for this movie! So, there was a change in emphasis to one of both drama and spectacle, to attract a wider audience. Since 2009, Hugh Jackman has starred in major projects like REAL STEEL, THE WOLVERINE, LES MISERABLES, PRISONERS, DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, PAN, and now LOGAN and GREATEST SHOWMAN. He also had time to complete his Broadway stint with Daniel Craig ( A STEADY RAIN) and BACK ON BROADWAY, plus a concert series called BROADWAY TO OZ. In early 2009 he hosted the Oscars and in 2014, he reprised TONY hosting duties. He was also involved in an aborted Broadway musical eventually written but not finished by Stephen Schwartz called HOUDINI... Haha -- GREATEST SHOWMAN must have tested his patience for the time the project has spent in the backburner! I think I can wait another 9 months or so  Jo |
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Post by hughmanity on Mar 26, 2017 5:04:56 GMT -5
I hope there won't be any reshoots because from what I heard, if a movie has reshoots, its a bad sign. Nevertheless, I really can't wait to see all the teasers and trailers soon Well, we know there were reshoots on both DOFP and Logan and those turned out "ok" haha  |
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Post by jo on Mar 26, 2017 5:19:04 GMT -5
Also, the reshoots of XMEN:AGE OF APOCALYPSE was mainly the WeaponX/Wolverine cameo -- and most people say that it was the major redeeming factor for a movie which was very disasppointing.
Jo
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Post by jo on Mar 26, 2017 5:21:36 GMT -5
Trailers probably won't come that soon as they have just wrapped the film. But maybe a release of one or two of the songs in the musical -- they did pre-record the songs in a studio, so presumably they can be close to being ready for a public outing?
Jo
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Post by qwerty on Mar 26, 2017 5:48:58 GMT -5
It has always been supposed to be a musical biopic but seen through a contemporary prism. It was planned way, way before the greenlit film project ever came into being. Compared to Hugh's first movie musical,  Les Miserables was approved for a film adaptation in the last months of 2010, then auditions and casting came around mid-2011, after Tom Hooper was hired as director. Hugh admitted that it was the very first movie that he ever worked so hard to get the lead role in. He heard about it from his agent ...and he hounded Hooper to give him an audition even before Hooper had signed on. His audition turned out to be a workshop where he had to sing all the parts of Valjean in a very long musical - something like a 3-4 hour audition! But I do remember what the casting director Nina Gold said of Hugh's audition -- that her hair was on fire when he heard him sing because she finally believed that they may have a Valjean ( someone who can act, can sing, looks physically strong, and can look noble)! In 2009, Hugh had a production company ( now defunct) called SEED Productions and one of the future projects was the Barnum biopic, then called THE GREATEST SHOWMAN ON EARTH and had a different musical team... The original script by Jenny Bicks was slanted towards Barnum's supposed infatuation with Jenny Lind -- but that has long changed. And it has changed very much. First, Bill Condon ( Dreamgirls, Beauty and the Beast) was supposed to have reviewed the script and provided his inputs but that did not pass either. The studio supposedly wanted greater emphasis on Barnum's life as an impresario who founded the bigtop circus. Eventually, Michael Arndt ( who won an Oscar for Little Miss Sunshine and was nominated for Toy Story 3; also wrote the script for STAR WARS: The Force Awakens and one of the sequels of Hunger Games) rewrote the script which became the final basis for this movie! So, there was a change in emphasis to one of both drama and spectacle, to attract a wider audience. Since 2009, Hugh Jackman has starred in major projects like REAL STEEL, THE WOLVERINE, LES MISERABLES, PRISONERS, DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, PAN, and now LOGAN and GREATEST SHOWMAN. He also had time to complete his Broadway stint with Daniel Craig ( A STEADY RAIN) and BACK ON BROADWAY, plus a concert series called BROADWAY TO OZ. In early 2009 he hosted the Oscars and in 2014, he reprised TONY hosting duties. He was also involved in an aborted Broadway musical eventually written but not finished by Stephen Schwartz called HOUDINI... Haha -- GREATEST SHOWMAN must have tested his patience for the time the project has spent in the backburner! I think I can wait another 9 months or so Jo And I'm really glad that they changed the route! I think the whole Barnum and Jenny Lindt musical won't sell. They could do so much by making a musical out of the life of Barnum and the circus itself |
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Post by qwerty on Mar 26, 2017 5:49:23 GMT -5
I hope there won't be any reshoots because from what I heard, if a movie has reshoots, its a bad sign. Nevertheless, I really can't wait to see all the teasers and trailers soon Well, we know there were reshoots on both DOFP and Logan and those turned out "ok"  haha Ah yes 😊 |
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Post by qwerty on Mar 26, 2017 5:50:44 GMT -5
Trailers probably won't come that soon as they have just wrapped the film. But maybe a release of one or two of the songs in the musical -- they did pre-record the songs in a studio, so presumably they can be close to being ready for a public outing? Jo I think a trailer should be around Fall. Yeah, it would be cool to hear a piece from the soundtrack. I do actually wonder how they can edit the movie fastly because its already 9 months away |
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Post by jo on Mar 26, 2017 5:50:55 GMT -5
Most major movie studios guard their projects very closely, with utmost secrecy! There is also a very strong drive against piracy. Everyone involved usually signs an agreement of confidentiality. We usually get an indication on what's happening only when they film on location! Do you remember when we stumbled on Hugh while eating in a restaurant in New Orleans VERY EARLY while filming LOGAN? We were all wondering why he had a buzz cut and a full beard? We did not pay attention to telltale clues in his Instagram posts or even paparazzi photos -- because he always wore a baseball cap during the time -- we did not realize he must have been hiding something - LOL! We thought he must have found it comfortable to have a buzz cut if he has to wear a full wig in the movie. Plus the full beard would be shaped into mutton chops later on, to depict the real Wolverine. Haha -- that should have alerted us that -- *He must be portraying another character ( as it turned out, X-24, the dark side of Weapon X) *That he would look different as Logan because he will be wearing a full beard. We were approaching that image with a conditioned response We also saw the filming at the casino, which showed an ill Prof X, a grizzled Wolverine, and what may be a baby X-23 ( she is supposed to be a teenaged mutant in the comics) -- still, we did not suspect that James Mangold would be approaching this movie totally differently! Even clips can be deceiving -- remember when we got hold of unofficial clips while they were filming the mass crowd and barricades for LES MISERABLES early on? We could not understand why the barricades were so massive?!! It was only when we saw the movie that we realized that it was a different kind of barricade -- one where the fallen students and rebels were simply reprising their call to arms ( DO YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING) in the finale... but that the real barricade drama, which would see them fall, would be shot at another time? So, even set photos/clips or off-the-set photos can fool us Jo |
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Post by qwerty on Mar 26, 2017 7:07:18 GMT -5
New candids
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Post by qwerty on Mar 26, 2017 7:10:16 GMT -5
Most major movie studios guard their projects very closely, with utmost secrecy! There is also a very strong drive against piracy. Everyone involved usually signs an agreement of confidentiality. We usually get an indication on what's happening only when they film on location! Do you remember when we stumbled on Hugh while eating in a restaurant in New Orleans VERY EARLY while filming LOGAN? We were all wondering why he had a buzz cut and a full beard? We did not pay attention to telltale clues in his Instagram posts or even paparazzi photos -- because he always wore a baseball cap during the time -- we did not realize he must have been hiding something - LOL! We thought he must have found it comfortable to have a buzz cut if he has to wear a full wig in the movie. Plus the full beard would be shaped into mutton chops later on, to depict the real Wolverine. Haha -- that should have alerted us that -- *He must be portraying another character ( as it turned out, X-24, the dark side of Weapon X) *That he would look different as Logan because he will be wearing a full beard. We were approaching that image with a conditioned response We also saw the filming at the casino, which showed an ill Prof X, a grizzled Wolverine, and what may be a baby X-23 ( she is supposed to be a teenaged mutant in the comics) -- still, we did not suspect that James Mangold would be approaching this movie totally differently! Even clips can be deceiving -- remember when we got hold of unofficial clips while they were filming the mass crowd and barricades for LES MISERABLES early on? We could not understand why the barricades were so massive?!! It was only when we saw the movie that we realized that it was a different kind of barricade -- one where the fallen students and rebels were simply reprising their call to arms ( DO YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING) in the finale... but that the real barricade drama, which would see them fall, would be shot at another time? So, even set photos/clips or off-the-set photos can fool us Jo Agree! That's why I'm so curious on the outcome of this movie. Which is suspenseful and makes it more exciting. If they revealed it all, then the surprise will all be gone 😂😂😂 so yeah, at least we still get few photos despite the set is being so secretive |
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Post by jo on Mar 26, 2017 7:12:19 GMT -5
She is portraying a trapeze artist, so her costume will likely be of the kind shown on the photo. Last Christmas I was invited to attend with the youngsters in our family a Las Vegas circus act brought to Manila which included high trapeze acts. We were all gasping! I wonder how much Zendaya trained for it?
Jo
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Post by qwerty on Mar 26, 2017 7:22:52 GMT -5
She is portraying a trapeze artist, so her costume will likely be of the kind shown on the photo. Last Christmas I was invited to attend with the youngsters in our family a Las Vegas circus act brought to Manila which included high trapeze acts. We were all gasping! I wonder how much Zendaya trained for it? Jo You're a Filipino? Cause I am one 😂 Ah I see. I do wonder how she will do the stunts I wonder why did they call Zac's character as Phillip. Isn't he supposed to play as James Bailey? |
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Post by jo on Mar 26, 2017 7:36:22 GMT -5
LOL - we are very different -- I thrive on spoilers When I saw 2 plays on Broadway with Hugh on it, I read the playscripts many times ahead of when I went to NYC -- so I could savor the drama when I finally get to see it When I saw Oklahoma! live in London, I prepared for it by watching the film version and reading the play ( I had an old book of Rodgers and Hammerstein plays) ahead so there would be not much surprises for me. What happened when I actually saw the RNT version was there were two major surprises -- it was a very different version from the movie in the sense that Trevor Nunn injected a dose of realism in it ... and that the cowboy could actually be made a very interesting character ( I thought Gordon McRae, great though his voice may be, was boring because of his acting) -- and that was how I met this new theatre actor who swept me off my theatre-loving feet! His name was Hugh! I would even watch an unofficial version of a stage musical ( video) with Hugh or other favorite musical theatre performers before actually seeing the show. Or listen to a cast album before seeing the show. I would usually read the literature involved if there is one, before I see the show. One exception was Les Miserables when I first saw the stage play. I only read the over-a-thousand pages English version after I had seen the stage musical for the first time...and reread it while the film adaptation's filming was underway. I have read many of original literature where it did not end up in the same way as the movie ( The Prestige). Sometimes I would read the original literature to prepare me to fully comprehend the play or movie ( such as Hamlet and Julius Caesar before I saw Jude Law and Denzel Washington in the Broadway performance). For movies, I love knowing spoilers -- to tell the truth, someone on IMDB who saw an early screening of LOGAN shared a few things with me. When I asked him if Wolverine was going to die in the movie, he answered me with " Are you sure? Are you very sure?"... I gave him a straightforward YES -- so I did know about X-24, what happens to Prof X, and what happens to LOGAN, including the actual finale with Laura crying " Daddy" and then Logan eventually saying " So, this is how it feels."...plus the way she inverted the wooden cross. Did knowing it ahead to time make me less emotional about it. No, I teared up everytime I saw the finale ( 3 times!)  When I have a chance to read the script for a movie before seeing it -- I grabbed at the chance ( Les Miserables film adaptation, Prisoners, Pan, etc). I even read a supposed leaked version of LOGAN but it was not what the film turned out to be. But given the details in it -- my own assessment was that it was a very early version of the actual screenplay - as there too many coincidences. But I do enjoy reading stuff anyway...so... I do understand why others prefer it otherwise ... I guess I am just naturally curious ( aka nosy) We usually mark a thread with a SPOILER ALERT or a spoiler tag...OR a whole section if it is meant to include many spoilers. Jo |
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Post by jo on Mar 26, 2017 7:47:19 GMT -5
I am not so sure, but I thought we already knew that earlier -- I have often posted events about the Philippines or things like the Miss Saigon revival... glad to meet you online  I thought you were also from this side of the world because we were conversing on the same time zone There is someone listed on IMDB who is Zendaya's stunt double, presumably a real trapeze artist ? I guess she will performing the stunts for her. Zac has two listed stunt doubles but I did wonder why this was so -- I wonder if it had anything to do with dealing with circus animals? Who said Zac was supposed to be James Bailey? Right from the beginning when Zac was in talks for the role, it was said that he would be playing the role of Philip, who happened to be initially a protégé/assistant of Barnum who eventually became his ringmaster! Maybe the "Philip" in the storyline was based partly on the life of Barnum's partner James Bailey...but they probably fictionalized his character in the movie to add the ringmaster element? Something like EDDIE THE EAGLE, where the coach played by Hugh was based on a composite of the many ski-jumpers who helped/mentored the real Eddie Edwards? Jo |
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Post by qwerty on Mar 26, 2017 7:53:32 GMT -5
I am not so sure, but I thought we already knew that earlier -- I have often posted events about the Philippines or things like the Miss Saigon revival... glad to meet you online I thought you were also from this side of the world because we were conversing on the same time zone There is someone listed on IMDB who is Zendaya's stunt double, presumably a real trapeze artist ? I guess she will performing the stunts for her. Zac has two listed stunt doubles but I did wonder why this was so -- I wonder if it had anything to do with dealing with circus animals? Who said Zac was supposed to be James Bailey? Right from the beginning when Zac was in talks for the role, it was said that he would be playing the role of Philip, who happened to be initially a protégé/assistant of Barnum who eventually became his ringmaster! I think the real James Bailey may be closer in age to Barnum himself ( I will re-verify that). Jo Ah nice to meet a fellow Pinoy! Haha Ah I see. Because based from what I read, Bailey was only 25 years old (I'm not sure) when he met Barnum. And it also wonders me why the character Bailey isn't in the movie. I assumed it could be Zac and they just used the name Philip. Then again maybe I could he wrong. |
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Post by jo on Mar 26, 2017 7:56:18 GMT -5
I edited the previous post, thus ==
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Post by jo on Mar 26, 2017 8:03:14 GMT -5
They were supposed to be taken from the set of the movie, but he is not in costume.
There was only one photo which showed Hugh performing in costume ( blurry one) taken by an official visitor to the set.
Jo
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Post by qwerty on Mar 26, 2017 8:05:06 GMT -5
I edited the previous post, thus == Ah now I get it! But I wonder why they couldn't just make him the real Bailey? |
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Post by qwerty on Mar 26, 2017 8:06:00 GMT -5
They were supposed to be taken from the set of the movie, but he is not in costume. There was only one photo which showed Hugh performing in costume ( blurry one) taken by an official visitor to the set. Jo If you look below, Zac is wearing slacks and leather shoes. I think that's part of his costume 😂 but I can see his sideburns tho |
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Post by jo on Mar 26, 2017 8:22:20 GMT -5
This is the only photo of a performance from the set -- it is blurry. http://instagr.am/p/BPGixQ_Dok9 Posted by an official visitor ( probably a VIP) on the set. |
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Post by jo on Mar 26, 2017 8:25:04 GMT -5
The hoodie is definitely not of the 19th century They seemed to have crammed the circus scenes during the last day ?? Unless they were already re-shooting the scene?? Who knows Jo |
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Post by jo on Mar 26, 2017 8:31:21 GMT -5
The sideburns are probably de rigeur during that time. Although we see Hugh most of the time with sideburns ( for movie roles) so, it is no longer a novelty. We have seen him in all kinds of hairstyle, including being bald ( The Fountain and PAN and almost bald in the early scenes from Les Miserables). He even has different hairstyles as Wolverine Jo |
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Post by njr on Mar 26, 2017 9:20:27 GMT -5
Even if there are minor reshoots, it is likely not going to cause worries. Let's hope test screenings are very positive and audience reactions agree with how the movie musical was crafted. Re the dancing -- the story is set in the 19th century but the movie is supposed to have a contemporized patina. That has made me more curious as to the dancing -- would we have some golden-days-of-Hollywood-musicals and will we see Hugh and Michelle dance like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers? Somehow I cannot imagine them dancing ala Swayze or ala Travolta timelines? Or what about Hugh and Zac -- will it be tap dance, as they seemed to have had top hats and canes during rehearsals?? I think the reference to Sound of Music and Mary Poppins refer to the fact that there are Barnum kids involved in the storyline as well as a circus story. But the reference to West Side Story with the Jerome Robbins choreography could be the template for the movie?? That would be exciting and would seem more modern! Hugh and Zac are both accomplished dancers ( Hugh with Oklahoma!, Boy from Oz, back on Broadway and Oscar/Tony hostings...Hugh with his High School Musical days) but it would also be a treat to hear them sing! Solos, duets, ensemble songs! And of course I am also looking for some dramatic conflict in the storyline so it would all tick the boxes for yearend awards Jo I think you meant to say Zac with his High School Musical days. Nancy |
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Post by qwerty on Mar 26, 2017 9:27:53 GMT -5
The hoodie is definitely not of the 19th century They seemed to have crammed the circus scenes during the last day ?? Unless they were already re-shooting the scene?? Who knows Jo I think they are cramming it. The ending scene I heard which is where Hugh is saving Zac from a fire or something. |
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Post by qwerty on Mar 26, 2017 9:29:13 GMT -5
Btw, has anyone here seen La La Land? I admit its a bit overrated but the songs are just so catchy I keep singing it. I hope The Greatest Showman will also have catchy tunes 😊 (knowing Paul and Pasek are involved)
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