I truly am sorry, but...

[dmb_rent]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 12:01am

At one point a pop music film adaptation was discussed featuring Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, and Usher.

A television miniseries was also discussed featuring Neil Patrick Harris, Rikki Lee Travolta, and Wilson Cruz.


Please god, somebody tell me that is a joke. At least, the first part. The second part...a bit more tolerable since at least from what I know Neil and Wilson were once cast members...I don't know Rikki Lee...but still the fact that a miniseries was in talks? Holy cow. But wow, my jaw is still hanging from reading that first part. I threw up in my mouth a little.


Edit: Sorry again for making another damn Rent thread. But yeah. Seriously. Sick.

Updated On: 11/29/05 at 12:01 AM

[sadiem100]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 12:07am

It was considered by other directors who had the rights to Rent at first... but Chris Columbus never considered them. At least that's what I read.

[dmb_rent]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 12:09am

No no, I didn't think it was Chris that considered them. Just the fact that they were considered at all, is sending shivers down my spine. ...Grossed out shivers, that is.

[Allie]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 12:11am

Well, Chris did say he had a meeting with Justin Timberlake, did he not?

[GirlfriendFromCanada]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 12:12am

I'm pretty sure Justin was seriously considered for awhile. Wasn't he involved in the readings or run-throughs or whatever that Raul and Orfeh were involved in?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 12:15am

Justin WAS seriously considered. Raul screentested for Mark with Justin as Roger.

[tagiunagi]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 12:22am

Raul seems like more of a Roger to me.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 12:23am

He could go either way.

Personally, if I had my choice, I'd cast him as Angel... but that's a bit too wishful.

Updated On: 11/29/05 at 12:23 AM

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 12:26am

You just wanna see him in tights, imp. FLAIL!

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 12:26am

Didn't he once say that he'd love to play Angel, but he knows he'd never be cast?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 12:27am

I'm not gonna lie. That IS one level of the multi-faceted desire.

ETA -- maybe he did, like, one of those times that he was mad at never being cast in Latino roles.

Updated On: 11/29/05 at 12:27 AM

[LariTheLoud]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 12:28am

Raul in tights?

Daaaamn.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 12:30am

See? You wanna see that.

[dmb_rent]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 12:30am

Justin WAS seriously considered.

Oh Christ, let me just tell you right now...if Justin Timberlake had been in Rent, even as an EXTRA...I would be throwing popcorn at the screen every damn time. I would still go, fine, ok yeah. lol But I would be going with an extremely sour face upon entering and exiting. *Especially* if Justin were to be Mark. Also, I think we've had enough boy band members near the Nederlander. Please, no more.

[greatdct]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 12:30am

Mental images. Santa Suit.

Thank you, Em.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 12:30am

That's how I felt when he was supposed to be Roger. I would've been totally traumatized.

hee. "Merry Christmas, bitches!"

[greatdct]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 12:35am

I think I DID read somewhere that he wanted to be Angel. I think he would be brilliant. And it doesn't hurt that "I'll Cover You" is my favorite song.

[theatregirl340]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 12:55am

"Wasn't he involved in the readings or run-throughs or whatever that Raul and Orfeh were involved in?"

Orfeh was involved with RENT readings? Does anyone know anything more about this?

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 12:58am

It was back when Spike Lee was considering directing the movie a few years ago. I think Audra McDonald was also considered for Joanne.

[rican732]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 11:55am

I happen to know for a fact that Neil and Wilson were not only considered for the miniseries but the film as well. And I am truly sorry, but they would have been pretty amazing. So get off your OBC soap boxes please.

[rican732]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 11:57am

Really, it sends shivers down your spine to have talented people play roles in a film that they excelled in on stage? Wow, you must be cold or something. Put a sweater on.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 11:58am

Raul is WAY too old looking...

And Justin as Roger? Yeah right - Justin would actually do quite well as Angel, though...

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 12:04pm

OK i'm sorry but, Justin (while I agree he should never be in the Rent movie) is a very talented person...and I'm sorry you guys don't appreciate the endeavors he has taken but there is no doubting that he is pretty damn amazing at what he does.

It still would of been ok if he was in the movie, (not 1/3 as good) what would have been the disaster is putting Christina Aguilera in it. Do we want a Mimi that would do crazy runs and sing a lot of "ohhoooooooohhhhh"s inbetween actual words? no. Justin would have stayed true to the show and not done it all pop or boy band-y.

JMO

[dmb_rent]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 12:05pm

I happen to know for a fact that Neil and Wilson were not only considered for the miniseries but the film as well. And I am truly sorry, but they would have been pretty amazing. So get off your OBC soap boxes please.

Um, I don't think anyone was complaining about Neil or Wilson -- at least, I wasn't. I was sickened reading that Justin Timberlake and Usher were considered...that's just nauseating, as I've commented earlier. -- And the miniseries thing would have just been a train wreck. (Just because...it would be a miniseries...of Rent.) -- I don't know how Neil and Wilson did with their roles in the show, I'm sure they were good, otherwise they never would have gotten the parts....But I don't know...I am SO, SO, SO...so, so, so, SO glad that they stuck with the majority of the original cast. I know I'm not alone here.

I also know a lot of people like to complain about how "old" the cast looks...but I'm sorry, I don't care what anyone says - If anyone had taken the roles of the characters in Rent OTHER than the original cast, the magic would have been completely lost. Completely, completely, completely. For me, at least, and I think for a lot of others who understand why it was so important for the OBC to be in the film. Anyway, their age is irrelevant in the end -- sure being at this early 20's part of life is tough and they're trying to figure out where to go with their lives...I'm living that right now -- but really, they're just a group of friends trying to appreciate the life they have left. They can be any age to get that point across.

Now I'll get off my soapbox.

[singingwendy]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 12:06pm

I read somewhere that once the talks had gone to TV and mini-series, the Larson family stepped in and put their foot down. When they sold the rights to the show they made it so that they had ALOT of say in what was done with the piece. They felt that rent would have to be too sanitzed and "prettied up" for TV and that would take away from the artisitic integrity of the work.

So...thank you Larson family!