DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS: The Movie Musical

[Pgenre]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 2:59pm

Apparently, MGM wants to get more involved in the movie-musical game if FAME is a hit. They are developing a film of the musical version of their property to follow FAME and (the just announced) VALLEY GIRL in their quest to "re-conceptualize" (read: re-package old ideas) their 80s "nostalgia classics" (their words, not mine). A friend of a friend is knocking out the script as I speak, supposedly aiming to be equal parts old film and stage musical.

Fun show, fun score and could be a fun time at the movies ala HAIRSPRAY, though the score certainly isn't on that level. The show definently could use a few new songs (especially a new opening number as neither one work) and a few cuts (I could see the songs for the subplot all disappearing and turning "Like Zis/Like Zat" into something for everyone).

Norbert should do the movie but since that ain't gonna happen my vote goes to... anyone but Jack Black. ANYONE.

Lithgow may have a shot at reprising his stage role, but I bet they'll aim for a bigger name (Michael Douglas would be fun if he could sing and if you've seen any of his recent dark comedic work you might agree- EDIT: and they could cut "Love Sneaks In" (which they will anyway) and he could Rex Harrison it).

A million possibilities for the other roles...

I'm just glad there's a post-NINE musical I've seen and enjoyed on stage (twice) actually happening (and no, FAME and VALLEY GIRL do not excite me in the least).

A Good Nightmare Comes So Rarely,
P genre
Updated On: 6/3/09 at 02:59 PM

[Dre2387]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 3:01pm

is this really happening? if so, nice!

[AvenueQResident]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 3:13pm

Dunno if this is old, but I believe the rights are avaliable now on MTI.

[scaryclowns2232]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 3:21pm

I would actually love to see Steve Martin pull a switcheroo and play Lawrence.

It could work.

[Pgenre]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 3:25pm

Best idea I've heard all week, scaryclowns!

I LOVE that idea! Plus, Martin has just released a quite successful CD (and performed on the AI finale)... plus, who could forget "Tut"? He could do wonders in the other role... and sing "Love Sneaks in" (or a similar small ballad, if neccessitated).

I could even see him playing opposite Black (who is destined to play the role, though I generally dislike him besides TROPIC THUNDER, in which pretty much everyone was at the top of their game).

A Good Nightmare Comes So Rarely,
P genre

[Kad]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 3:43pm

Martin's got great musical comedy chops. He was one of the best parts of the Little Shop movie.

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 3:44pm

I don't really care for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, but I'm always in favor of movie musicals.

[BrianIdol]

Posted: 6/3/09 at 4:17pm

The director of "The Brothers Bloom" could do a fantastic job. The whole movie reminded me of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (in a great way:))

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 11:01am

I'd love to see Anthony Hopkins as Lawrence, Jack Black as Freddy, and Anne Hathaway as Christine.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 11:39am

I would be very happy to see this happen as long as they keep Jack Black as far as humanly possible away from the project. (And as far away from any movie ever again would be more than ok with me)

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 12:10pm

I like the ideas of Jack Black and either John Lithgow or Steve Martin.

I like the idea of a bankable Anne Hathaway too. Reese Witherspoon sings too...right?
However, I think that Catherine Zeta-Jones could sing the role better than either of them.

Glenn Close is a good choice for Muriel, imo.

[JudasIscariot]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 12:23pm

How about Tom Hanks? He proved on Conan the other night that he actually has a pretty good voice.

I could kinda also see Neil Patrick Harris as Freddy.

But I agree, the idea of Steve Martin is golden.

[MrSweetNAwful]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 12:50pm

Wow, NPH as Freddy is genius!

[Tom's Cat]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 2:16pm

I LOVED this show but all of your suggestions would keep me a mile away from it.

The subplot is critical to making the show appeal to more than one narrow group of audience members. It was widely agreed on by many other fans that the Andree/Muriel subplot was the charming, gentle side of what otherwise consisted of nothing but a bunch of cheating crooks trying to outdo each other. There just wasn't anybody to really 'like' in the original film. You could certainly laugh at them - but you couldn't like them. Of course doing this means you MUST keep "Like Zis" for Andree. It's the heart of the charm.

I'm 1,000 percent for keeping Jack Black a mile away from the set and for giving every penny they can scrape up to Steve Martin to play Lawrence. If they had been able to do that for the Broadway show, it would still be running.

I really can't stand Glenn Close anymore (maybe for Muriel?) but Catherine Zeta-Jones might be really good. It's been a long stretch since Chicago and I think people would come to see her in another musical.

Updated On: 6/4/09 at 02:16 PM

[americanboy99]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 2:34pm

I'd love to see Hathaway or Witherspoon, two of America's sweethearts, tackle Christine. The audience would eat up their wholesomeness throughout the film, then (SPOILER!) be utterly shocked to see their beloved starlett turn to the dark side. I love it!

[tazber]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 2:55pm

Hope it happens. Personally, I love score. Way better that Hairspray, IMO.

[madbrian]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 3:16pm

My cast:

Lawrence: Hugh Laurie
Freddie: Jack Black
Christine: Anne Hathaway
Andre: Kevin Kline
Muriel: Megan Mullally

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 4:22pm

I'm partial to Kline as 'Lawrence Jameson' myself.

[provocation]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 4:22pm

When people refer to Anne Hathaway as someone who can compare to Sherie Rene Scott vocally, I die a little inside.

Seriously, people. Why not someone who can sing AND act?

[jarred03]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 5:02pm

I'd love to see Neil Patrick Harris as Freddy.

I hate Jack Black, he would overact the role and he'd turn the singing into Tenacious D.

Reese is a great choice, so is Anne.

[little_sally]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 5:13pm

Kevin Kline would be a great Lawrence.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 5:29pm

Sorry, I'd like to see Jack Black in the role.

[breakfree303]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 5:29pm

I totally dig the idea of Kevin Kline!
But I loved John Lithgow, and I've always been partial to NLB as Freddie.

Annelise Van der Pol would make a cute Christine in my opinion.

[Dre2387]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 6:33pm

I think Norbert as Freddy. Or Neil Patrick Harris. But I have to say that I can't see anyone else besides Greg Jbara as Andre.

[Weez]

Posted: 6/4/09 at 6:46pm

Jonathan Pryce as Lawrence, Jack Black or NPH as Freddy (depending on whether I'm in the mood to make people cross or not), and Amy Adams as Christine.