Hugh and Sunset Blvd.- Page 2

[kangaroo]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 5:54pm

awesome... I know that Van Helsing was pretty popular in my area too. It was kind of weird, because my area doesn't get excited about movies too often.
I consider him a movie star, but I do consider Xmen to be his real start point on screen.

BTW, he was nominated for a Golden Globe in 2002 for Kate and Leopold...

Updated On: 1/18/05 at 05:54 PM

[sharon1]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 6:18pm

A profit for Van Helsing at 90 million is more than I would have guessed. But I wonder if the studio is happy with that. Makes me wonder about Phantom of the Opera

[Fan2]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 8:42pm

Plus Van Helsing grossed about $65 million in sales in its first week of VHS/DVD release and $9 million in rentals:

>>>The top-selling home video in the week ended Oct. 24 was USHE's Van Helsing, which sold more than 4 million combined DVD and VHS units, generating an estimated gross of about $65 million. The Hugh Jackman-starrer was the nation's second-best rental title, generating an estimated $9.1 million during its first week.<<

For the record, I loved Van Helsing - I love those types of movies anyway and frankly, I would pay to watch Hugh read the phone book. IMO this was the type of movie you either loved or hated - it was a fun, summer popcorn movie. Hugh said pretty much that in all the interviews he did.

That being said - I would LOVE to see him do Sunset Blvd.!!! I have the original movie and I absolutely love it. I also have the Glenn Close/Alan Campbell recording and could absolutely see Hugh singing those songs.

[kangaroo]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 8:47pm

I would definitely agree with you. I think that he would be amazing in Sunset Blvd. I think that I would either want Hugh or Michael Ball...
I think we should tell the world about Hugh and his singing talent. A lot of people only know Hugh as an action hero for Wolverine and Van Helsing... maybe he will be recognized for singing through Sunset, or maybe Disney in the way future. Who knows?

I am just waiting for the BFO DVD to come out, which is very exciting.

[jo]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 8:47pm

In addition to the $ 300 million that Van Helsing has made from domestic and overseas box office receipts, the following report indicates that it also made $ 137 million from domestic DVD sales and rentals as of end-2004 --

http://www.dvdexclusive.com/charts_sellers_ytd.asp

Hugh's Disney multi-picture deal for movie musicals does sound like a feat for someone who has never made a movie musical. ALWebber is rumoured, as reported in a column in the UK's Sunday Mail, to have already signed up Hugh and Anthony Hopkins for the Sunset leads ( in addition to wooing Glenn and Meryl for the role of Norma). Please remember also that he turned down the Billy Flynn role ( Richard Gere, eventually) because he felt too young for the role. Joel Schumacher also says that Hugh was asked for the movie Phantom role, but he had to decline because he was already committed to TBFO...All these sound like Hollywood is truly interested in him as a musical leading man.

Other movie roles - well, Darren Aronofsky, called by some as the new Stanley Kubrick, offered him the role in his much awaited movie now filming in Canada THE FOUNTAIN, after seeing him in THE BOY FROM OZ. Harvey Weinstein, the movie mogul, offered him the part in KATE AND LEOPOLD as a result of seeing him in OKLAHOMA! I think it was only yesterday that BBC reported that Hugh is the leading contender for the James Bond role, according to bookmakers. Hugh is also now co-producing and toplining XMEN-3 and the WOLVERINE spinoff.

Let's not get too far away from the subject of this online site -- Broadway!

Everybody knows how he did a herculean job in turning around THE BOY FROM OZ ( from a show that almost closed because of the harsh critical panning) to a sold-out show in the months after the TONYs and ultimately making a little money for the show. He was Broadway's man of the hour in the last season.



Let's read what Michael Riedel had to say about the phenomenon --

September 10, 2004 -- "AT last, Atlas can lay down his burden.
On Sunday, Hugh Jackman gives his final performance in "The Boy From Oz," that combination floor show/VH-1 "Behind the Music" bio in which Jackman plays the late gay songwriter Peter Allen (with one swish, Hugh's the boy next door).

Jackman has carried the show on his back for a year now, defying the critics who mauled it and the pundits (I was one) who predicted it wouldn't last the season.

He's also managed to put the $8.25 million show in the black, pushing it over the line with the help of premium-priced tickets, which have been selling briskly since spring, and $350 orchestra seats for the final, sold-out performance.

In its final week, "The Boy From Oz" is on track to gross $1.4 million, just $200,000 shy of the record set by Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane during the first week of their return engagement in "The Producers."

Yesterday, Albert Poland, the show's general manager, told The Post: "The show has recouped, and the final distribution to investors will occur shortly after the closing."

Jackman's feat has been extraordinary — super-human, really — and deserves to be studied as an example of what true star power can do for a Broadway show.

Jackman's only rivals on the very short list of male theater stars are Lane and Broderick. But unlike that duo, who, in "The Producers," were working with first-rate material, Jackman had to make do with garbage.

You'd be hard-pressed to find a show as tacky and ineptly put together as "The Boy From Oz," although Frank Wildhorn's "Dracula" is a worthy successor.

Yet Jackman, through a combination of energy, charisma and salesmanship, managed to transcend its awfulness and turn it into what was, for all intents and purposes, a one-man show with undeniable audience appeal...

...Because the bad reviews initially depressed ticket sales — and because Jackman was only signed up for one year — the profit margin on "The Boy From Oz" was always going to be razor-thin (the final profit, says a source, could be less than $100,000).

Had Jackman missed just a handful of performances, the show would never have recouped.

And here, he was exemplary: He did not miss a single performance.

For this, he deserves much praise.

If they have a case of the sniffles or a slight tickle in their throats, Broadway stars today can call up any number of showbiz doctors and have themselves put on "vocal rest." ...


...Jackman has raised the bar on attendance for all Broadway stars.

Let's hope they follow his example.

The Broadway community is turning out for Jackman's performance on Sunday. He is well-liked in the industry, having charmed the powerbrokers (and their spouses) and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for theater charities.

Every producer sitting in that house on Sunday is going to be making a list of projects for "Hugh," which is what everybody in theater calls him whether they know him or not.

Two that spring to mind are "Pal Joey," a revival of which is in the works, and "Company," in which "Hugh" would be perfect as the handsome bachelor, Bobby.

But producers will have to bide their time. Jackman will come back to Broadway but not, at the very least, for a year.

Atlas needs — and deserves — a rest"

[sanda]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 8:51pm

Thanks a million! This is priceless.

[kangaroo]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 8:59pm

a lot of information.... and although he did turn down the role of Billy Flynn, he still feels even looking back that he was too young. I think that he made the decision he felt was necessary for himself... and who knows, he could get a bigger break. What kind of upsets me is that he couldn't take the role of the Phantom in the movie, because of TBFO. I wouldn't have wanted him to end his performances early, but I think he would have been an amazing Phantom.

[Plum]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 9:23pm

Jackman isn't a movie-carrying star on the level of Carrey, Pitt, Hanks, Sandler, etc., but who says he should aspire to that? I'd rather he just did good movies without worrying about his star power. *crosses fingers for The Fountain*

[Fan2]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 9:28pm

The Phantom started filming in October 2003, right around the time BFO opened. I see your point and at first I also said "drats" - would have loved to have heard Hugh singing those songs - but then again, he would never have won the Tony, would never have met Aronofsky, would never had gotten the Disney deal, and who knows who else saw him (Liz Smith mentioned in a column of hers that she had lunch with Mike Nichols one day and he couldn't stop talking about his performance and Liz told him "stand in line"). So the old saying, "all things happen for a reason..."

[kangaroo]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 9:32pm

Yes I know, he did have an amazing experience... but I wish they would have moved the Phantom release date. It sounds kind of selfish, but I was still dreaming about it...

I love watching this clip... it is showing Hugh, and how he amazing he would have been... you have to scroll down a little bit.

SNL... #2

[jo]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 9:43pm

Plum,

I agree with you --

In one of his long ago past interviews, he said he had been working on the script ( he was a journalism major, after all) on the life of Bill Bixby which he thought would make a very good story to tell. I guess his interests lie not simply on what may be popular ( he did turn down the chance to be in the best-selling soap opera NEIGHBOURS to go to drama school instead) but on what may be truly interesting or dramatic or thought-provoking. But because of his busy schedule, maybe that script will never get finished.

We don't know why he did Van Helsing - maybe the concept as it stood sounded like a good summer movie ( and it was the execution by Sommers which caused the panning) or maybe it was also because it provided a financial cushion so he can do THE BOY FROM OZ and be off from movies for a total of 15 months ( rehearsals included)...

I am also excited with THE FOUNTAIN - I hope this can be a role that would get him much critical acclaim. He is capable of enormous range and I would like to see him in a role that explores his dramatic skills to the fullest ( pretty much like Erskineville Kings, which he considers his best film work even if it was just a small independent Australian movie).

If it were up to me - I hope the WOLVERINE spinoff will be his last XMEN movie and I don't really want to hear him say "Bond, James Bond" on the screen.

Jo

[kangaroo]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 9:45pm

Apparently the role of Van Helsing was written for him in mind... how can you turn down an offer like that?

[Plum]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 9:47pm

By reading it. But hey, nobody's perfect. I just know he can do better.

[kangaroo]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 9:57pm

:) true... but it was successful. He obviously can do better... and I hope he gets the chance soon to prove it to everyone else.

[jo]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 10:00pm

Hey, someone who attended the film screening at the NY Film Academy for Deborra-Lee Furness's short film STANDING ROOM ONLY has posted on the TBFO Forum that Deb has said that "HUGH WILL BE HOSTING THE 2005 TONYs"


"Okay, I'm home. It was great. And I have some wonderful news.
Deborra-Lee told me "HUGH WILL BE HOSTING THE TONYS AGAIN THIS YEAR!!!!!!!!!" I asked her if it was for publication, and she said, "I think it's out there, so spread the word." So, I am."
Updated On: 1/19/05 at 10:00 PM

[Fan2]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 6:26am

Hey Jo - I think your message may need a thread of it's own! What great news.

[sharon1]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 11:00am

Great info everyone. I love the expertise and info you all gave

[kangaroo]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 6:42pm

Are you the Jo from the jackmanslanding? And how do you know Deborah, that's really neat. Thanks for info,

Anyone know if this has ever happened before... 3 times in a row?!?!

[jo]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 6:45pm

Kangaroo --

LOL! I am not part of Jackmanslanding, just a regular reader - although I have occasionally submitted some news info, as many others do.

If you reread my post, I am just quoting what someone on the TBFO forum has narrated as her experience and how she found out about the TONY hosting news.

Jo

[kangaroo]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 11:00pm

Same here jo... I check jackmanslanding too
but I don't go to the ozalot forum as often as I used to. If I do, which I have probably been there 2 times this January, I don't post. I guess it just feels weird for me, because the show isn't on anymore. It is nice to see what is going on, and information about Hugh. I can't believe so many months have gone by...
~Kangaroo

Updated On: 1/19/05 at 11:00 PM

[lna]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 11:15pm

I don't think there's going to be a DVD, not of the Broadway version. No one has ever been able to confirm that anything was filmed.

I think the "promise" from the producers was really that they would film it someday, but they phrased it to make us fans happy. They've wanted to do a movie, so that might be what they're planning.

I've also heard there's going to be a revival/tour of the show in Australia, with Todd McKenney.

[Fan2]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 9:23am

Back to Sunset - Interesting stuff about the Australian production starring Hugh and Debra Byrne in here:

http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/2834/sunindex.html

Two interesting tidbits: under Latest News they have stuff from October 1996 through January 1997 (the last report) that's very interesting as to what happened in those months, including these Hugh tidbits:

Under October 1996:

>Rumours of Jason Donavon (?) playing Joe Gillis have been dismissed at the announcement of newcommer Hugh Jackman, who has left the cast of Beauty and the Beast as Gaston, to take the part. Australian Debra Byrne will play the role many would have killed for, and a sneak preview of her performing "With One Look" has been screened on Australian Television, and shows that she was the definitive choice for the Australian Premiere, as does a version of the title song "Sunset Boulevard" performed by Hugh. <<<

Under November - one of a few tragic things that happened during this production (Hugh to the rescue):

>The first preview of Week Two: occured when Debra had been feeling ill, with an ear-infection, and actually lost her sense of balence, and fell down 1/3 of the steps on the gigantic Sunset Staircase. The Audience were totally oblivious to the fact that the fall was real, considering it the act of Act One (it occured in the New Years Eve scene) as Joe (the wonderful Hugh Jackman) helped Debra up and brought her over to the chaise-lounge, as the curtain fell. The Cast didn't return to perform the 2nd Act, and the following two previews were cancelled.<<<

And December and January further explains the trials this production went through due to Debra's "emotional strain" because of the divorce she was going through - apparently her understudy went on many times and the audience wanted to see the star. What a shame!!!!

About the cast recording:

>>I think our hopes of an Australian Cast recording is down the drain, and it's a big shame : the Australian cast are of World Standard, (Debra is one of the most suited for Norma Actress's I have ever seen) ...(you should see her photos in the programme! Norma 100%) but Australia doesn't have the hype (well a big enough hype) to carry the show and make it a success. <<<

And under Reviews:

>" Hugh Jackman, also in brilliant voice, with Hugo Boss Looks..."
"...with his easy charm,great voice and fascinating ambivalance - sincerity
with a "rented smile" - Jackman makes the perfect hero, and perfect cad."

[kangaroo]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 11:12am

thanks fan2... interesting story, wow I can't believe that she fell down so many stairs. That would really hurt.

[jo]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 5:48pm

Australian TV showed a documentary called SUNSET BOULEVARD AND THE PALACE OF DREAMS which traced the making of the musical.

Very refreshing to see the very young Hugh ( he referred to himself in one scene as Hugh Michael Jackman ) talk and sing some of the songs ( I love him singing the duet TOO MUCH IN LOVE TO CARE) and recitatives from the show. It also showed him doing some rehearsal routines.

There were other sad events that beset the production - the assistant musical director was killed in an accident right before opening night. One cast member was especially cited because she had to have an appendectomy in the middle of rehearsals and probably could not join Opening Night. Debra Byrne, I guess, had the most trauma - the accident due to an ear infection and the pain of her marital problems. I understand Hugh gave a speech when the show closed much earlier than expected - if I am not mistaken, it ran for only 9 months or so. Sad, because the RUG people ( like the assistant director and also Paul Bogaev, the musical director of the original production in London and on Broadway) were very hopeful that this could turn out to be such a brilliant production. The REGENT THEATRE ( the Palace of Dreams) where it was shown was heavily refurbished ( after years languishing as a faded grand cinema venue) for the occasion.

But that was when the doors opened for Hugh. Trevor Nunn had nothing but praise for him ( he was interviewed for the documentary) and that opportunity to work with the famed Brit theatre director gave Hugh the chance to take the role of Curly when Trevor Nunn launched the brilliant revival of OKLAHOMA! at the Royal National Theatre ( then headed by Trevor as Artistic Director) in London...which eventually also led to WOLVERINE and his movie career

[kangaroo]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 5:58pm

Are you Austrailian? You don't have to answer, just curious. I wish I was, I love the Aussie accents.