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Post by jo on Jan 27, 2015 0:57:11 GMT -5
www.thewrap.com/emma-watson-to-star-in-disneys-beauty-and-the-beast-exclusive/Emma Watson has been cast as Belle. A lot of people have mentioned Hugh as a possibility for GASTON. But he portrayed the role twenty years ago  Of course, he is now playing a middle-aged Blackbeard villain in PAN -- but would you like to see him reprise his first professional stage role  On the other hand, his name has also been suggested in the lead role of the Beast Jo
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Post by jo on Jan 27, 2015 1:05:51 GMT -5
A lot of memories generated by this news. I fell in love with the animated movie because of the musical score and the characters -- it was the very first animated movie that I have ever bought on DVD. And the lady who sang the title song, Mrs.Potts, reprises her song from the beloved movie ( which was the first film to be nominated for an Oscar as full feature movie, just like other Best Pictures nominees) -- Angela Lansbury : www.broadwayworld.com/videoplay.php?colid=912125#.VMcpGdEcTOU |
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Post by jo on Jan 27, 2015 1:17:36 GMT -5
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Post by mamaleh on Jan 27, 2015 8:02:04 GMT -5
I think Hugh would be the first to say that he has graduated from BaTB and that someone closer to Emma Watson's age would be much more appropriate--for either Gaston or the Beast.
Ellen
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Post by jo on Jan 27, 2015 17:08:24 GMT -5
Other than for sentimental reasons ( because he played Gaston once upon a time), I think the reason why his name crops up is because his name has now become identified with movie musicals along with his action movies fame. He has also become famous for his Broadway musical roles.
Oddly, in terms of age disparity - didn't he turn down the role of the Hunstman, that co-starring role with Kristin Stewart ( presumably the same age disparity between Emma and Hugh), which was supposedly offered to him for the film project called SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN.
Jo
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Post by jo on Feb 5, 2015 2:10:41 GMT -5
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Post by mamaleh on Apr 23, 2015 21:35:42 GMT -5
You have to wonder about casting of movie musicals. Dan Stevens, best known as (the late) Matthew Crawley on DOWNTON ABBEY, has been cast as the Beast. Can he sing? That's a role that requires some serious pipes. Hugh even said when he was starting out in musicals, he couldn't have sung that role.
And I really scratched my head when I read today that Marc Shaiman is writing a movie musical entitled BOB, THE MUSICAL to star that master of melody, Tom Cruise!?
What the heck? So where is the movie star with the strongest bona fides in that very tricky genre? Was he even asked?
Maybe this bizarre casting is simply evidence of my theory that Hugh has made it acceptable to do musicals.
Ellen
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Post by jo on Apr 24, 2015 3:09:37 GMT -5
I do believe that Hugh Jackman's efforts to draw attention to musicals ( film and stage) has made it a valid choice for actors to aspire for in a role these days. His espousing of The Musical is Back is now taken seriously! Even the producers think they are potential box office champs. I am not surprised that actors now gravitate to the genre. Even Ewan McGregor whom Baz Luhrmann chose over Hugh Jackman for Moulin Rouge and who has left the genre is now back -- he is going to be Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast. Dan Stevens - wasn't he the Lancelot who challenged Hugh Jackman's King Arthur in Night at the Museum 3? LOL! Maybe he wants to sing If Ever I Would Leave You - but this time, he will be challenged by that Beast solo "If I Can't Lover Her". Btw, have you noticed that the casting of the key roles in Beauty and the Beast is mainly British ( Watson as Belle, Stevens as Beast, Evans as Gaston, McGregor as Lumiere, E Thompson as Mrs. Potts)? MacDonald, Kline, Gad, Tucci are filling more minor roles. Jake Gyllenhaal is aiming to show people that he can also sing live ( Encores) maybe for future movie musical options? Maybe he thought if Russell Crowe can do a Javert, he can also do another iconic musical role? LOL!. Btw, he did a hilarious take on Jennifer Hudson/Halliday's song from Dreamgirls ( And I Am Telling You), including dressing the part and belting the belt. Haha! Amanda Seyfried, a veteran ( Mamma Mia! and Les Miserables) has publicly said that she hopes she can get a crack at the role of Glinda when WICKED gets the film treatment from the studio that owns the rights - Universal! Hey, being in the two leading box office champs, both from Universal, may be her bragging rights advantage ...And she has beautiful blonde hair, if that is a requirement - LOL! Hugh has Greatest Showman on Earth - which has been a passion project for him. I hope he will focus his full energies on that project ( as an actor and a producer) and if he can win an Oscar for that biopic ( I think it might have been Deadline who said it is "Oscar-friendly") - that will really seal the deal. The musical is back  Jo |
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