Benjamin Walker Choosing X-Men over Bloody on Broadway?
Benjamin Walker Choosing X-Men over Bloody on Broadway?#1
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
Benjamin Walker Choosing X-Men over Bloody on Broadway?#2
Posted: 6/19/10 at 6:23pmWell, 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.
Benjamin Walker Choosing X-Men over Bloody on Broadway?#3
Posted: 6/19/10 at 6:26pm
"What a sellout."
But you didn't say fag.
Benjamin Walker Choosing X-Men over Bloody on Broadway?#4
Posted: 6/19/10 at 6:31pmHe should be so thankful that Hunter turned it down.
Benjamin Walker Choosing X-Men over Bloody on Broadway?#5
Posted: 6/19/10 at 6:32pmSame with DiCaprio & TITANIC.
Benjamin Walker Choosing X-Men over Bloody on Broadway?#6
Posted: 6/19/10 at 6:33pm
A Hollywood movie V. the possibility of a show transferring.
I'd go with the movie.
Benjamin Walker Choosing X-Men over Bloody on Broadway?#7
Posted: 6/19/10 at 6:38pm
How dare he do a movie over the THEATUH!
He's dead to me now.
Benjamin Walker Choosing X-Men over Bloody on Broadway?#8
Posted: 6/19/10 at 6:45pmHe'll do the movie then present at the Tonys next year. It is win/win for him!
Benjamin Walker Choosing X-Men over Bloody on Broadway?#9
Posted: 6/19/10 at 7:34pmWhat? An actor choosing a multi-million dollar movie in a huge Hollywood franchise over a Broadway show? SHOCKING.
Benjamin Walker Choosing X-Men over Bloody on Broadway?#10
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.
Benjamin Walker Choosing X-Men over Bloody on Broadway?#11
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.
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/21/06
Benjamin Walker Choosing X-Men over Bloody on Broadway?#12
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.
Benjamin Walker Choosing X-Men over Bloody on Broadway?#13
Posted: 6/20/10 at 10:05amAnyone 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).
Benjamin Walker Choosing X-Men over Bloody on Broadway?#14
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.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
Benjamin Walker Choosing X-Men over Bloody on Broadway?#15
Posted: 6/20/10 at 10:17amThe 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.
Benjamin Walker Choosing X-Men over Bloody on Broadway?#16
Posted: 6/20/10 at 10:18amPrecisely
Benjamin Walker Choosing X-Men over Bloody on Broadway?#17
Posted: 6/20/10 at 12:34pmSo... 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?
Benjamin Walker Choosing X-Men over Bloody on Broadway?#18
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.
Benjamin Walker Choosing X-Men over Bloody on Broadway?#19
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.
Benjamin Walker Choosing X-Men over Bloody on Broadway?#20
Posted: 6/20/10 at 3:39pmHe 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.
Benjamin Walker Choosing X-Men over Bloody on Broadway?#21
Posted: 6/20/10 at 4:04pmplaying 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.
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Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
Benjamin Walker Choosing X-Men over Bloody on Broadway?#22
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
Benjamin Walker Choosing X-Men over Bloody on Broadway?#23
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?
Benjamin Walker Choosing X-Men over Bloody on Broadway?#24
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.
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