Jeffrey, I would love nothing more than for them to cast an unknown as Kim and create a star. But that's not always how Hollywood works, unfortunately.
It's a safe bet that if they get box office names to play say, The Engineer and Chris and maybe even Ellen they would take a chance on casting an unknown in the role of Kim. Provided she is right vocally/physically/ethnically for it.
Why oh why do the powers that be feel the need to remake classic films?
Not a musical but case in point was " The 10 Commandments". First they made that abysmal musical and than the Ridley Scott snorefest " Exodus - God & Kings".
The 10 Commandments also had a pretty forgettable TV adaptation, with Naveen "Sayid" Andrews as Pharaoh.
Then again, "The Prince of Egypt" holds up pretty well in terms of "same story, different adaptation." Much better than Exodus or the "Ten Commandments" musical.
This is so unnecessarily imo, especially since the film is way more popular than the stage production. How many people are gonna be itching to see this??
Does "grittier" mean Fagin will again be played as a stereotypical Jew (which Ron Moody so conscientiously strove to avoid) or as a pedophile, which would be so au courant? Or will Nancy's beatings be visibly violent, cruel and bloody, which is certainly what Lionel Bart's Oliver! needs to be relevant?
"Cameron Mackintosh is like obsessed with OLIVER! how many stage productions has he produced already and now he wants to do a pointless remake. "
CM owns Oliver (the musical), lock stock & barrel. I believe he loves the show, so would explain why he keeps churning out productions of it. Also the money men & woman who run the studios, love known 'franchises' (easier to sell).Providing they don't do an 'Annie' type remake. It might be interesting to see a grittier version. After all, nothing is set in aspic.
I have wanted a new Oliver! Film for a long time now. I know it's controversial but I feel they could do this live like Les Miserables. Sam for Nancy! :p
Lotiloti, that's almost the exact same cast I picked, except that Rush is my second choice. Rowan Atkinson is my first. I've always wished I could have seen him play Fagin in London.
I wonder what this means for the potential OLIVER! LIVE TV production. I know that when talking about future Live musicals on TV, OLIVER! is usually on the top of the list.