Benjamin Walker Choosing X-Men over Bloody on Broadway?

[broadwayman17]

Posted: 6/19/10 at 4:49pm

Remembered hearing that it was a rumor that a possible hold up for BBAJ taking the Jacobs theater for the fall was that Walker was considering taking a role in the new x men prequel and just saw this:
http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b186621_x-men_prequel_just_keeps_getting.html?utm_source=eonline&utm_medium=rssfeeds&utm_campaign=imdb_tv-movies

he's appearantly playing a younger version of Kelsey Grammer's character in X men 3

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 6/19/10 at 6:23pm

Well, if the movie is a success I guess he won't be welcome on Broadway after that now that we know how they really feel about "Hollywood" stars.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 6/19/10 at 6:25pm

What a sellout.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/19/10 at 6:26pm

"What a sellout."

But you didn't say fag.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 6/19/10 at 6:31pm

He should be so thankful that Hunter turned it down.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/19/10 at 6:32pm

Same with DiCaprio & TITANIC.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 6/19/10 at 6:33pm

A Hollywood movie V. the possibility of a show transferring.

I'd go with the movie.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 6/19/10 at 6:38pm

How dare he do a movie over the THEATUH!

He's dead to me now.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 6/19/10 at 6:45pm

He'll do the movie then present at the Tonys next year. It is win/win for him!

[Taryn]

Posted: 6/19/10 at 7:34pm

What? An actor choosing a multi-million dollar movie in a huge Hollywood franchise over a Broadway show? SHOCKING.

[JP2]

Posted: 6/19/10 at 7:38pm

And he probably signed a multi-picture deal. Good for him.

FYI- Eddie Redmayne of 'Red' also auditioned for the next X-Men film.

[Kad]

Posted: 6/20/10 at 12:52am

Let's see, a surefire cash cow with lots of extra cash from using his likeness on merchandising and will give his career a massive boost.... or a quirky transfer that may be risking it on the Broadway?

In the long run, it's even a wise decision. This will make his name bigger, which will make the prospect of a transfer better at a later date.

[Brick]

Posted: 6/20/10 at 9:51am

It's a business. Easy decision.

That said, He's been with the production through various incarnations, and it's always a shame when an actor is lost when a piece is finally reaching its moment in the spotlight.

[jagfkb]

Posted: 6/20/10 at 10:05am

Anyone think they'll consider casting someone with more star power? I'm sure there's a ton of actors who could do wonders in this role (Neil Patrick Harris comes to mind).

[AC126748]

Posted: 6/20/10 at 10:16am

Work for scale in a niche show that will probably close in ten minutes on Broadway

OR

Cash a nice paycheck on a movie from a guaranteed franchise?

Take your pick.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 6/20/10 at 10:17am

The nice paycheck which will give you a bank account so you can afford to do all the quirky, niche shows on Broadway, off-Broadway, in a 1-seat theater in a box in Duffy Square you want.

[AC126748]

Posted: 6/20/10 at 10:18am

Precisely

[emg_sound]

Posted: 6/20/10 at 12:34pm

So... Hypothetical... Would they hold it up, let him become more of a major star, and then have him do a 6-month run on Broadway, which would be far more lucrative for all?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/20/10 at 1:11pm

Why would they have to put a hold on this. While I think Ben Walker is fabulous, I don't think he is irreplaceable.

It also sounds like this decision to do the film, was made BEFORE there were possibilities of the transfer....and even given that...it's still just a possibility.

BTW: I saw the show again at Saturday's 5pm, the cast sounds vocally tired. It was still damn entertaining.

[Taryn]

Posted: 6/20/10 at 2:57pm

Why would they have to put a hold on this. While I think Ben Walker is fabulous, I don't think he is irreplaceable.

It could be a smart business move. They already know that Ben Walker is amazing in the role, and if they hold it up until after filming, he'll actually be a significantly bigger name, and it seems likely that he'd come back for it if his schedule allows.

[WholeMegillah2]

Posted: 6/20/10 at 3:39pm

He won't be a bigger name until after the movie comes out, and even then he won't be a huge name. I doubt they will hold the transfer for him. Either they'll scuttle it or they'll cast someone else.

[yay_gerb]

Posted: 6/20/10 at 4:04pm

playing beast in the new xmen movie wont make him a "name". he'll get some attention but i can't see alot of people saying..."oh look ben walker is in this show lets go see it". i'd love love love for him to stay with the production but they will lose some of the buzz they have if they take to long to transfer. regardless i can't wait to see it again.

[jo]

Posted: 6/20/10 at 8:38pm

The first relatively unknown theatre actor cast as an XMan (although he was actually replacement casting, as the original actor got tied up with the movie he was making) was Hugh Jackman

It looks like he ran away with the whole franchise, even if he was not a popular choice with fans before the movie came out -- he was a foot taller and did not wear yellow spandex as did the comic book Wolverine. What worked is that nobody knew he was singing "Oh What A Beautiful Mornin' " before he was chosen by the XMEN producer who saw him in the musical and fans loved his movie portrayal of a favorite comic book character.

Maybe this proves that theatre actors have a remarkable versatility that gives them an advantage.

So, good luck to Ben Walker!

Btw, the role he is rebooting was originally played by Kelsey Grammer on screen. He also joins other theatre stalwarts who have worked or will be working in an XMEN movie, such as Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen




Updated On: 6/20/10 at 08:38 PM

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 6/20/10 at 9:23pm

Wait, sorry for being late, but he IS doing the movie right? If so, should I run to the Public and try to get a ticket before it closes?

A LITTLE OFF TOPIC: Has there been any news about the cast recording?

[Kad]

Posted: 6/20/10 at 10:26pm

You should run and see it before its run ends, yes. If it transfers, I doubt it would be without Walker- so it wouldn't be till the spring.

Still no date on a cast recording release, but Sh-K-Boom has put up some previews.