Sunset boulevard movie 2020

J.K. Simmons is the obvious choice for Max. He got his start in musical theatre/opera, then transitioned to film, and now he's a recent Oscar winner. (And he's bald!)

BrodyFosse123 said: "Until cameras begin rolling, I’m not holding my breath. Though Close is saying more details this time around, she has said things about this possible film adaptation for years.

Though she’s now about 20 years too old for the role (Norma is 50 in SUNSET BLVD.), Close is so identified with the role it’s impossible to cast anyone else. She’s as identified with this musical as much as Streisand was with FUNNY GIRL."

This. Everything you said I absolutely agree with. She is FAR too old for the role but on the same page I don’t want to see anyone else play the role on screen. Gloria Swanson and Glenn Close just ARE Norma Desmond. If having Close in the film is the only way to see that incredible staircase and hear that wonderful score on the silver screen then I’ll take it.

qolbinau said: "Is this still a pipe dream or is there a production company and director attached?"

There's been no official announcement. I bet it depends largely on the reception to CATS: if CATS is big, it could give ALW some "skin" to get his next project financed and attached to a studio. If Close wins the Oscar this year, that could also elevate the film. Probably also depends on who they get for Joe (& Max).

Re: her age, I don't think it's that big a deal. She's 71, but she doesn't look it. 50 in the 1950s meant something entirely different than 50 today. Her being a little older actually raises the stakes of her "comeback." May-December relationships are different and more common now, too. A guy who's ~35 won't look out-of-place (someone like Gyllenhaal, Robert Pattinson, Gordon-Levitt, John Legend, Chris Pine, or Zac Efron). Jackman, however, is way too old.

And I stand by my J.K. Simmons as Max suggestion. Cranston, Lithgow, Langella, Ben Kingsley, Patinkin, or Patrick Stewart could also do it.

The situation reminds me a lot of Chita who used to say all the time for years and years that "The Visit" was coming next season, next season, next season. It never happened and it all seemed like a little sad pipe dream...but then it happened. Dreams do come true. I hope it happens.

Are the film rights to Sunset Boulevard not owned by Paramount Studios? They own the rights to the original Billy Wilder film noir classic. I remember ALWebber saying in the past that they needed to secure the agreement of Paramount to get the film adaptation going.

Paramount is now headed by Jim Gianopulos, former Fox CEO who co-approved the greenlight for The Greatest Showman. So, maybe given the success of Greatest Showman and other recent musicals, he would be more supportive of the genre, even if in the past it was considered on the risky side. Will Paramount have the final say in the major casting, if they produce and distribute the movie musical? Just as Universal (with whom Working Title had a work deal) approved the final casting of Les Miserables.

Re the casting -- If Glenn who is 71 is cast, having a male lead in their early 30's might be too weird an age gap for there to be some credibility. Joe Gillis was not a young male ingenue blinded by the glamour of a faded movie star. He was a down-and-out screenwriter who knew his way around Hollywood and formed the liaison with Norma with his eyes wide open. William Holden ( who actually got first billing over Gloria Swanson in the original movie) was presumably in his late 20's/early 30's when he got the role opposite Gloria Swanson who was probably close to the age of fifty of Norma Desmond. Joe was also a strong personality to give the relationship a little less one-sided. Maybe if they cast Glenn, keeping a 25-year-ish gap might give the pairing more credibility? Maybe actor/singers in their mid-40's? Also, is Glenn Close still a major box office draw? Maybe they will need to cast someone who can add or even provide the major box office pull?

Also, if they follow the sung-through format ( the lyrics are very close to the actual dialogue of the Wilder movie), they will need to cast strong singing actors who can do the job!

Yes I take your point. Also, I must say that on stage even last year I thought Glenn Close did read about 50. I realise that when she is ready for her filmed "closeup" the years won't be so kind.

Leaving aside any reservations about an older Norma that we might or might not have, we start with a foundation of Glenn Close as Norma.

With that in mind, might not a more mature Joe than usual make sense?

My choices would be Patrick Wilson as Joe, Emmy Rossum as Betty and Paul Sorvino as Max.

I think it sort of helps that Glenn Close sort of looks the same in the past 20 or so years albeit those close-ups will show it all.

If he can sing, I think Armie Hammer would make a great Joe.

I agree Jake Gyllenhaal would be perfect for Joe. He can act AND sing and he's about 38 now so the age range is good. Still, I've never cared for SB as a musical and won't expect much if the movie gets made.