SUNSET BOULEVARD as a movie musical soon?

[jo]

It looks like PARAMOUNT has decided to get its film rights on the movie revived, but as musicalized by Andrew Lloyd Webber!

Glenn Close is supposedly in talks. No leading man and director as of now. Early 2018 start of production being eyed!


www.thewrap.com/glenn-close-star-sunset-boulevard-movie-musical-paramount-exclusive/


I have a feeling that the entry of former FOX Chief Jim Gianopulos as Paramount President and CEO might be the driving force for the sudden and strong interest in the remake of the Billy Wilder classic, as musicalized by ALWebber! In the past, it has always been the lack of interest from Paramount ( which owns the film rights) to go ahead with the movie musical. Also, in a sense, the storyline actually puts the PARAMOUNT Studio in the spotlight, at a time when the once great filmmaker is trying to find out if its downcast fortunes can now be revived.


Jo

[jo]

In a sense, this is going to be tricky casting of the main leads.

Glenn Close is around 70 years old ( Norma Desmond was supposed to be in her 50's in the story). Surely, they cannot pair her with someone who is in his early 30's ( the presumed age gap in the film and in the musical was something like 20 years)... but maybe somehow a little closer in age gap ( rather than 35-40 years). But casting someone in his 40's might be a little problematic ( even if the Joe Gillis character is supposed to be someone who already knew his way around but was not successful as a screenwriter) if Betty is in her early 20's ( ingenues cannot be in their 30's ( at most, mid-20's?). Unless the Joe-Betty romance goes the way of other movies, where the man could be considerably older than bright-eyed Betty?

How will they resolve this?

Who are current young actors who can sing and have dramatic chops? Will there be chemistry with Glenn Close? The actor's personality cannot be completely overwhelmed by Norma and Glenn's strong personas! Otherwise the story will not be credible.

What about if Paramount allows a re-rewrite of the screenplay? To suit the casting of a much older Norma? And maybe even a more worldly Betty?


PS: Will Jim G knock on Hugh's door? But if he does : Will Hugh be interested at all?


Jo

[jo]

Hey, someone else ( on ATC) is thinking along similar lines --

re: Glenn Close to Star in ‘Sunset Boulevard’ Movie Musical at Paramount
Posted by: NewsGuy 07:06 pm EDT 08/17/17
In reply to: Glenn Close to Star in ‘Sunset Boulevard’ Movie Musical at Paramount - MockingbirdGirl 05:44 pm EDT 08/17/17

I'll just say it ... bring on Hugh Jackman.

[mamaleh]

If this goes through and either HJ wants no part of it (likely) or they don't have him in mind (also likely), I just hope they don't go with someone ridiculously young like Zac Efron. That would be like HAROLD AND MAUDE casting, only much more creepy in the context of the very intimate (physical) relationship between Norma and Joe.

Ellen