A FOLLIES flim being developed by Sam Mendes and Aaron Sorkin?

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 1:06pm

We knew Mendes was interested in doing a flim of FOLLIES, but did we know he was actually developing it with a screen writer??

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/16/theater/16sond.html?_r=1&oref=log

I'm trying not to get too excited, All I will say is I hope they don't f*ck it up.

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 1:34pm

How in the world could they do FOLLIES on screen without changing it beyond recognition? It's all about the stage, the magic of performing in front of an audience... if Sondheim could be dissuaded - at one time - from doing COMPANY because someone told him it would never be as good as the show, why would he agree to this?

[TomMonster]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 1:40pm

Sondheim says in the same article that COMPANY could work as a film. He's not opposed to cutting for the sake of a movie.

I could see both working quite well as movies.

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 1:44pm

Yeah, I know he changed his mind, but FOLLIES still seems like a really bad idea.

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 1:46pm

I think a film version would have to focus heavily on the flashbacks.

[mateo]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 1:53pm

I know the perfect way to do a Company movie musical. Call me, the powers that be.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 1:54pm

If they made Company into a movie, I would absolutely hide under my bed from anything having to do with it.

[mateo]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 1:58pm

No. Cause I have the perfect way to do it, and its unlike any movie musical.

May be more like Once. Low Key. But not that 'acoustic' if you know what I mean.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 1:59pm

Well, then if it ends up being your version, perhaps I will retract my statement. Otherwise, no.

[mateo]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 2:00pm

Yes. I need a producer to call me!

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 2:10pm

Phyllis - Michelle Pfeiffer
Ben - Alec Baldwin
Sally - Megan Mullally
Buddy - Timothy Hutton

[TomMonster]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 2:14pm

I can see COMPANY: camera flying through the city and entering windows of the characters. The lights of the city spelling out COMPANY.

Crowds of people in the streets with the camera flying into one person who is singing "Anothor Hundred...". Night clubs, lounges...in other words, make NYC another character in the film. That little park they talk about during "Another Hundred People" actually exists and is on 53rd street. These locations could be used.

I could definately see it working.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 2:17pm

I'm about to make myself look like a huge nerd, but at the risk of having people laugh at me, 53rd and what?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 2:24pm

Yes. I need a producer to call me!

hey mistah prodcuer, YEAH!
im talkin to you, sir!

[TomMonster]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 2:24pm

53rd between 5th and Madison. "The Stamp" or Paley Park. A cute little oasis with a back wall waterfall, trees and cafe tables--and a tiny cafe.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 2:27pm

Since Company is so conceptual, I just always thought a film could take that even further. I guess in way similar to Chicago, the musical numbers could exist outside the world of the actual book scenes.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 2:28pm

Aww. I'm going to visit it.

ETA: Oh, I've been there! I always envisioned it as a little bit more of an enclosed park with... grass. Weird!

Updated On: 12/15/07 at 02:28 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 2:45pm

COMPANY could work as a very stylized period piece. I even think you could work TICK TOCK into it and have it be incredibly cinematic in its own theatrical way.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 2:55pm

" I even think you could work TICK TOCK into it and have it be incredibly cinematic in its own theatrical way."

Holla

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 2:56pm

I honestly don't have an opinion on the matter, but do y'all think could/should/would play Bobby?

[TomMonster]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 2:59pm

Depp


HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! *sigh*

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 3:01pm

It would be great if they rewrote the part of Heidi and got Doris Day to play it.

I know I'll never see it, but I always wanted to see Tina Turner play Carlotta. I've always thought Carlotta should have a bit of "edge" to her, perhaps a bit more alcoholic than she's been played in the past.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 3:02pm

I was running a few names through my head before I just went, "yeah, I don't know, f*ck it," but I did have this moment of, "they can just stick Johnny Depp in this one, too!"

His Bobby would be like, a crack addict or something.

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 3:03pm

I think COMPANY is going to need a lot more plot twist and turns to be a movie. A bunch of vignettes with songs aren't going to work on a screen.

FOLLIES seems more possible, in my opinion.
Updated On: 12/15/07 at 03:03 PM

[mateo]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 3:06pm

ljay,

thats why the story would have to be tweaked. It would have to be far less nonlinear.



My idea for TICK TOCK is that this dancer is on a late night variety show, playing in the background of Bobby and April's love making. The TV is the only light source, and casts an eerie blue glow over the two bodies and rustling sheets.

Cutting back and forth from the dance and whats happening on the bed.

I have a concept drawing for the scene. I jsut have to find it.