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Post by jo on Feb 8, 2016 14:40:01 GMT -5
CATS may get a film adaptation, with Tom Hooper likely directing it! It seems that there is no official confirmation yet. www.tv3.ie/xpose/article/entertainment-news/192402/Suki-Waterhouse-wanted-to-star-in-Cats-filmTo be honest, I would rather that if Andrew Lloyd Webber wanted another of his musicals adapted for film, I wish it would have been one of his other dramatic musicals ( Sunset Boulevard or The Boys in the Photograph/The Beautiful Game or Aspects of Love - unlike others, they have not been given the filmed staging/film adaptation treatments). Will CATS really have that much appeal, cinematically-speaking? POSTSCRIPT: I guess I am not really a filmmaker - LOL! There are discussions on BWW which point to how certain kinds of cinematic visions and treatments may actually produce a different and stunning kind of movie musical. There are of course the usual condescending naysayers of CATS itself ( and even dissing of Hooper's cinematographic style). Someone even suggested that Baz Luhrmann might be the kind of director who can give movie audiences the inventive take that can work. But there is of course mention of how the musical itself is a true triumph of choreography! Although it is known that ALWebber has always wanted this particular musical to be adapted to film ( there was some talks in the past that it would be an animated version - which I understand now could be against the wishes of the poet whose book of poems gave life to CATS. Btw, did you know that the lyrics to the musical's best known song, MEMORY, was written by Trevor Nunn, although it was inspired by poetic passages from what T.S.Eliot wrote in his book of poems. Jo |
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Post by mamaleh on Feb 9, 2016 10:00:59 GMT -5
CATS does not number among my favorites, either. I believe there's a version of the stage show already available on home video. Unfortunately, it has a higher profile than many of ALW's other, more dramatic works.
Too bad Hugh's dream of a new film version of CAROUSEL never came to pass. I'm fairly confident it would have netted him another Oscar nomination.
Ellen
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Post by chessie on Feb 9, 2016 14:10:13 GMT -5
I enjoyed CATS on stage; the actors did a wonderful job "being" cats. However, I watched the PBS filmed version, and was really disappointed. It just didn't translate well to being on film. I think it's an odd choice to produce as a movie.
Carol
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Post by jo on Feb 9, 2016 16:26:16 GMT -5
I don't think it is meant to be filmed as it was staged live, so maybe the ffilmed PBS version was not the right vehicle. Some say the issue is really the thinness of the plot ( in many ways, it is similar to A CHORUS LINE) and probably is better seen as a stage production. However, filmmakers sometimes are able to re-envision a stage production into something more cinema-worthy ( such as in CHICAGO)...and surprisingly, Baz's Moulin Rouge was welcomed in many sectors as the true rebirth of the current musicals genre. Although, it is not yet confirmed, I do wonder why Tom Hooper would like to take a crack at it. He does like to try different genres ( King's Speech, Les Miserables, The Danish Girl) although they do deal about some dramatic slices of life. He was once supposed to work on a Freddy Mercury film biopic, but maybe he was envisioning a more dramatic characterization for the late singer? Maybe it is the Aussie in him ( his Mum is Aussie) which prods him to " have a go!"  Personally, after seeing the show way back then I tried to understand what made it a big hit -- it was only after I read the lyrics that it made more sense to me. Otherwise, I thought it was too long for such a thin plot. I do like Jellicle Ball, the Rum Tum Tugger display, a few others, and of course Memory. Maybe I should re-listen to the score? Did you know that Sarah Brightman played one the young cats here? Jo |
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Post by chessie on Feb 10, 2016 13:36:40 GMT -5
I read T.S. Eliot's book before and after I saw the play (making sure I got my money's worth, I guess  ) and I was a cat owner at the time, so CATS really resonated with me. I loved the music, and was thrilled when years later I was lucky enough to hear Betty Buckley perform Memory in concert. She called it her signature song, and said she never tired of singing it. I didn't know that Sarah Brightman was one of the cats, but that is an example of spot-on casting! It will be very interesting to see just how this would materialize as a film. Carol |
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Post by jo on Feb 10, 2016 15:25:23 GMT -5
Sarah was not a star then. She had a relatively small role, I think it was as Jemima...and according to stories, that was where she and ALWebber first met.
I was also lucky to have seen Elaine Paige in a concert -- and she sang not only DON'T CRY FOR ME ARGENTINA but MEMORY as well! Her being cast in CATS was not intentional -- she was a late replacement for Judi Dench who had a minor leg injury which caused her not being able to perform as Opening Night drew near. I wonder if MEMORY would have been the big popular culture hit that it became had the public heard Judi Dench's interpretation instead? Judi would probably have given more emphasis on the dramatic side (of Grizabella's life) as compared to the soaring interpretation by Elaine?
Jo
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Post by foxie on Feb 19, 2016 13:09:12 GMT -5
They just announce Hugh may play the Dick Van Dyke roll in Mary Poppins with Emily Blount
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Post by jo on Feb 20, 2016 2:02:08 GMT -5
Did they announce it officially... or are they just speculating?
It sounds doubtful that he would take on the role... as he has a forthcoming movie musical in tow (GREATEST SHOWMAN ON EARTH).
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Post by foxie on Feb 20, 2016 11:43:45 GMT -5
Speculating
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Post by jo on Feb 21, 2016 7:50:11 GMT -5
Okay... personally, I wouldn't put too much credibility to it -- probably just a wish list ? Also, I would rather see Hugh on center stage in a movie musical ( MP is really the story of Mary!)-- that is where his performing talent is shown best. Better still, if it is a dramatic musical ( like Les Miserables) or a musical biopic of a very interesting historical figure (such as P.T. Barnum in GREATEST SHOWMAN ON EARTH). It looks like SHOWMAN is his priority in terms of movie musicals - maybe one of two key film projects for filming in 2016. We've seen the photo of his recent workshop for SHOWMAN and he did share a new song ( THIS IS ME) from the musical during BROADWAY TO OZ. Also, Hugh seems to prefer new material...and maybe that is why he doesn't mind being part of the long development phase for a new movie musical. Did you ever see the more recent stage adaptation of MARY POPPINS? It is a little dark but it was not particularly appealing to me. News reports for the new Mary Poppins project seem to suggest a look at some of the original source material, probably a bit of the dark side ... hence, it may not exactly be a remake? But thanks for letting us know that Hugh's name is still a go-to actor when it comes to musicals Jo |
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Post by jo on Feb 24, 2016 16:10:53 GMT -5
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Post by jo on Jan 25, 2018 12:52:42 GMT -5
Steven Spielberg has been rumored to do a remake WEST SIDE STORY. Whether it is going to be true to the original film adaptation or not has not been confirmed...but it seems casting calls for the key cast will now confirm that the project may be forthcoming. www.broadwayworld.com/article/Casting-Call-Goes-Out-for-Steven-Spielbergs-WEST-SIDE-STORY-Remake-20180125He is casting completely new faces for the key roles...or presumably current performers who are not yet big enough not to require any auditions? No matter that it is helmed Spielberg, a remake of a musical with ( relatively or completely) unknown faces may not sound appealing boxoffice-wise. Jo |
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Post by hughmanity on Jan 25, 2018 15:09:22 GMT -5
Not excited about this...while I like Spielberg, WWS ranks up there as one of my all time favorites. Don't mess with it! Steven Spielberg has been rumored to do a remake WEST SIDE STORY. Whether it is going to be true to the original film adaptation or not has not been confirmed...but it seems casting calls for the key cast will now confirm that the project may be forthcoming. www.broadwayworld.com/article/Casting-Call-Goes-Out-for-Steven-Spielbergs-WEST-SIDE-STORY-Remake-20180125He is casting completely new faces for the key roles...or presumably current performers who are not yet big enough not to require any auditions? No matter that it is helmed Spielberg, a remake of a musical with ( relatively or completely) unknown faces may not sound appealing boxoffice-wise. Jo |
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Post by jo on Feb 14, 2018 3:07:47 GMT -5
Someone has started a petition to get Hugh Jackman into the film adaptation of HAMILTON -- www.ipetitions.com/petition/hugh-jackman-for-hamiltonI haven't heard of any plans yet to adapt it to the movies. Besides, wouldn't LinManuelMiranda himself want to have the major role in it? Jo |
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Post by mamaleh on Feb 14, 2018 9:53:07 GMT -5
I don’t think HJ fits the parameters of casting as stipulated by Miranda—unless he were to play the small but scene-stealing role of King George III. (“Da da da da da...”)
Ellen
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Post by jo on Feb 14, 2018 18:14:18 GMT -5
Well, isn't Hugh sort of an immigrant, too Jo |
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Post by jo on Feb 28, 2018 18:45:04 GMT -5
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Post by jo on Jun 17, 2018 20:09:34 GMT -5
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Post by mamaleh on Jun 17, 2018 21:45:26 GMT -5
I saw SPAMALOT the day after it opened back in 2005. It was very funny, but the farceurs, including Tim Curry, David Hyde Pierce, Christian Borle and Sara Ramirez, all could sing. Not sure about Cumberbatch & co. Of course, they are all big names, so that new slate would likely be a draw. But why don’t they consider another A-lister—initials HJ—who has a bona fide musical background? And he played King Arthur in kindergarten.  I’d vote for that. Ellen |
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Post by jo on Jun 17, 2018 22:02:15 GMT -5
I remember the Broadway staging. Later after opening weeks, I also remember that they broke the 4th wall for the moment when the Holy Grail was found. I chickened out when I found out that my seat ( with the two end seats in front or the back of me) were the 3 candidates for finding "it" beneath your seat - I exchanged seats with my niece … She didn't get it - but at least I was relieved during the entire staging that I would not have to be asked to the stage, in case it happened. Maybe if Hugh had been King Arthur then, I would not have exchanged my seat Hugh with the coconuts? Ha- I wouldn't be surprised if he gets roped in, by Fox. He did say that after The Greatest Showman he would be interested to do another 3-4 movie musicals in the future. LesMis was a period piece dramatic musical; The Greatest Showman was period piece family entertainment; why not a period piece musical comedy/spoof? Hey, he was also King Arthur in NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM 3 ( with a fake sword). I can already hear the clip-clopping Jo |
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Post by jo on Jun 17, 2018 22:15:34 GMT -5
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Post by jo on Jun 18, 2018 6:09:39 GMT -5
How about this for fantasy casting -- Hugh as King Arthur and Taron Egerton as Patsy? Although I would much rather see them in a remake of Man of La Mancha |
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Post by jo on Jul 20, 2018 12:59:01 GMT -5
Indiewire analyzes why movie musicals are enjoying a renaissance -- www.indiewire.com/2018/07/mamma-mia-here-we-go-again-musicals-box-office-1201984961/Er… it seems a little superficial. It focuses on 3 factors ( the popularity of sequels owing it to the original material/worldwide appeal of the genre/strong appeal with female audience), which are the same factors that apply to superhero or action blockbusters ( save for a different gender effect)! For one, it fails to mention that the popularity of the musical score often drives a movie musical's success. This can come either from a popular songbook ( as in Mamma Mia 1&2 … and from the original Beauty and the Beast animated film) or a strong new score ( as in Greatest Showman which also benefited from featuring a contemporary tone) or from original stage musicals ( as in Les Miserables...but why not Phantom of the Opera - maybe because the cast was unknown). Recognition awards also push box office success ( as in Chicago and La La Land). Also to a lesser extent, it can be helped by appealing and popular choreography ( Grease/Greatest Showman/maybe Fame...and even harking back to classics such as Singin' In the Rain). Song and dance are at the heart of movie musicals -- and if the cast are real triple-threats, that helps in pushing the box office success of the films. Jo |
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Post by mamaleh on Jul 20, 2018 22:57:35 GMT -5
Saw the MAMMA MIA sequel today. The performers are all fine, but the story is rather insipid with ABBA songs more awkwardly shoehorned in than in the original stage show and film. But to each his own.
Meryl Streep fans take note: she appears only in the last 10 minutes or so of the movie. And she looks older than Cher, who plays her mother. Ah, the wonders of plastic surgery!
Ellen
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Post by jo on Jul 22, 2018 15:25:00 GMT -5
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) and I was a cat owner at the time, so CATS really resonated with me. I loved the music, and was thrilled when years later I was lucky enough to hear Betty Buckley perform Memory in concert. She called it her signature song, and said she never tired of singing it. 
