Barry Levinson to Direct CITY OF ANGELS Film Adaptation- Page 2

[Pgenre]

Posted: 6/17/09 at 4:26pm

I wish Clooney would DIRECT it AND star in it.

GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK is one of the best DIRECTED movies in recent years, with Robert Downey Jr. and Patricia Clarkson on the level of Mickey and Judy as far as screen chemistry goes.

Could Patty Clarkson do "You Can Always Count On Me"? Since she can do ANYTHING, I'm sure singing is something she can handle.

Downey Jr. is my first choice for Stone. He has already starred in a musical (THE SINGING DETECTIVE) and has a gorgeous voice (he sings the last song over the credits), plus he is freshly Oscar-nominated (TROPIC THUNDER) and hot again in hollywood (TT and IRON MAN).

And I'd love to see Alec Baldwin do "All You Have To Do Is Wait" in Jack Donaghey mode.

P
Updated On: 6/17/09 at 04:26 PM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 6/17/09 at 4:44pm

Zeta-Jones would be terrific, but she'd probably want to play both Stone and Stein or have all the female roles combined into one character so her part ended up bigger. She really needs to get off that clueless, career-oriented, self-absorbed mindset if she ever wants to be cast in anything A-list again.

My favorite part of your post, Besty.
Not really familiar with CITY OF ANGELS, just know a few songs for it, but the idea of Kristen Bell in another movie musical is magnificent, if there's a role for her in this, I say give it to her ASAP!

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 6/17/09 at 5:06pm

OMG I was just thinking about how great a CoA film would be today!

[jo]

Posted: 6/17/09 at 6:29pm

I saw the show on Broadway and still think it would make a movie musical.

In a previous plan to make a film musical version, it seems that the lead(s) had been offered to Hugh Jackman, according to Larry Gelbart.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/05022008/entertainment/theater/wish_hugh_were_here_109005.htm

>>Gelbart's script was terrific, but the production never got off the ground, and the rights reverted to Warner Bros.

Told about the new production yesterday, Gelbart said: "I was very pleased with the job I did, but we got left at the starting gate. Another dream shattered," he added, laughing.

He thought Jackman would be "wonderful" in the role, adding: "We tried to interest him in doing the movie version of 'City of Angels,' but that didn't work out. I have some wonderful scoops about things that didn't happen."<<<

Hope he is asked again!

Updated On: 6/17/09 at 06:29 PM

[Fan2]

Posted: 6/17/09 at 7:24pm

Just a correction Jo - the stuff you posted was talking about the main focus of that Riedel story which was when Hugh was rumored for "A Star is Born." It segued into the City of Angels thing when Gelbart was talking about Star is Born.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 6/17/09 at 7:30pm

Robert Downey Jr. can sing? I'd have to hear him, but that would be great casting IMO!

[jo]

Posted: 6/17/09 at 7:45pm

Yes,Fan2 -- the full excerpts I quoted were a bit misleading as it was referencing to A Star is Born, but I wasn't sure how to introduce Larry Gelbart into the picture and his reference to the CITY OF ANGELS being offered to Hugh -- so I ended up quoting the whole reference to Gelbart.

Mea culpa

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/18/09 at 3:40pm

If they kept in period for the film, but went out an a limb a bit for casting, I would love to see something sort of like this:

Stine - Robert Downey, Jr.

Stone - George Clooney

Gabby/Bobbi - Nicole Kidman

Oolie/Donna - Amy Adams

Alaura/Carla - Vanessa Williams

Mallory/Avril - Beyonce

Fidler/Irving - Kevin Kline

Jimmy Powers - Neil Patrick Harris

Munoz/Pancho - I can't remember the guy's name, but he's a prolific character actor playing somewhat comic sleazoid bad guys reminiscent of Danny DeVito (often seen sporting a pencil-thin mustache). Perhaps someone else knows who I'm talking about.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 6/18/09 at 6:44pm

SO EXCITED!! One of my favorite musicals. Love the idea of George Clooney being involved somehow. Is it wrong that I want Kim Basinger to play Gabby/Bobbi only based on her fantastic performance in L.A Confidential?
Updated On: 6/18/09 at 06:44 PM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/18/09 at 6:45pm

My fear is which musical numbers get dropped.

[Kad]

Posted: 6/18/09 at 7:08pm

If he could sing, I'd like to see J.K. Simmons as Fidler.

But then, that part isn't vocally demanding and, honestly, his numbers are probably the first to be dropped.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 6/18/09 at 10:52pm

Would Harry Connick Jr.'s ego let him play Jimmy Powers? I'm sure he'd want to play Stone/Stine, but they could keep Jimmy's two songs, plus give him "Everybody's Gotta Be Somewhere" and maybe the closing credits song.

[jennamajig]

Posted: 6/19/09 at 11:24am

Mallory/Avril - Beyonce

I kinda feel Beyonce might read too old for this role. I see Mallory as reading 18-22ish, with an innocent look to her, despite the fact that she isn't innocent at all.

I could definitely see Kristen Bell as Mallory.

[lachri5]

Posted: 5/26/11 at 12:57pm

It's been 2 years already, any updates on this project?

[bk]

Posted: 5/26/11 at 2:10pm

It wasn't happening then and it's not happening now and two years from now someone will bump this thread again and it won't be happening then and then they can bump the Barbra Streisand in Gypsy thread at the same time and that won't be happening either.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 1/14/25 at 8:17am

It's now 2025 and this project never happened. If we ever do get a feature film adaptation of City of Angels, who'd be your choices to direct and star? While I understand that he has a mixed track record, I'd actually be interested in seeing what Rob Marshall would do with it.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 1/14/25 at 9:34am

Agree doubling Stine/Stone could be problematic. Two very different actors work well because Stine so does not see himself as Stone. The psychic disconnect is the emotional core of the story. 

Also agree City of Angels has always seemed a natural fit for the movies.

I'm hoping for a much younger cast than most of the suggestions here so far. 

Paul Mescal could be wonderful as either Stine or Stone.  And though he's not a movie name (yet?) ditto Tom Francis. For Stine: Goff, Chalamet, Radcliffe?
America Ferrera seems ideal as Donna/Oolie. Ditto Elle Fanning as Gabby.  Lin Manuel as Buddy/Irwin.

Dare I suggest Nicole Scherzinger for Alora/Carla? 



  

 

Updated On: 1/14/25 at 09:34 AM

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 1/14/25 at 3:18pm

Let's see how Bill Condon's KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN comes together (have heard a lot of the score was tossed), but he certainly has the skill set to make something fascinating.