Is Thomas Kail still working on Fiddler on the Roof?

[JanLisaHuttner]

Posted: 7/28/22 at 11:16am

A new adaptation of Fiddler on the Roof -- to be helmed by Thomas Kail -- was announced on May 28, 2020.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Thomas-Kail-to-Direct-FIDDLER-ON-THE-ROOF-Film-Adaptation-with-Steven-Levenson-Writing-the-Script-20200528

Wondering if this still happening. No recent updates on IMDb.

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 7/28/22 at 11:48am

Was wondering recently about this too. I remember when Josh Gad posted an audition video, but I wasn’t a fan of the vocals. 

[JanLisaHuttner]

Posted: 7/28/22 at 11:54am

Josh Gad? Audition? For which part? A bit young to play Tevye. "Right? Of course, right."

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/28/22 at 12:01pm

Pretty sure Topol was younger than Gad is now when he made the film.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 7/28/22 at 12:12pm

Yes, Topol was 35 while filming the movie. Josh Gad is currently 41.

Also, keep in mind that Tevye and Golde are really only in their early 40s. In "Do You Love Me?" they mention being married 25 years, and they would have probably married around 18 (remember Golde is concerned because Tzeitel is almost 20 and not married yet).

[Jarethan]

Posted: 7/28/22 at 12:43pm

I suspect that Josh Gad wouldn’t have the gravitas to play Tevye.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 7/28/22 at 12:48pm

AEA AGMA SM said: "Yes, Topol was 35 while filming the movie. Josh Gad is currently 41.

Also, keep in mind that Tevye and Golde are really only in their early 40s. In "Do You Love Me?" they mention being married 25 years, and they would have probably married around 18 (remember Golde is concerned because Tzeitel is almost 20 and not married yet)."

 

Sure, but I think believable storytelling has to be taken into account. 

I’ve mentioned this before, but I always think of an anecdote told to me by a film acting teacher I had: during a shoot they used real toast, but the director said it didn’t look “toasty” enough. So they had to artificially make it look more “toasty” so that it would read to the audience - even though they were actually using real-life toast. 

The lesson: more realistic does not always mean more believable, from an audience/storytelling perspective. 

Josh Gad may be 41, but he doesn’t read as old as Tevye reads. Especially since “41" doesn’t necessarily look the same today as it did in 1905, or even 1971 for that matter (also, I’d argue that Topol looked/read significantly older than he actually was, which is partly why he pulled it off). 

 

[Dollypop]

Posted: 7/28/22 at 1:04pm

I have the reverse situation:

The on-again-off-again "The Spirituality of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF" project I've been involved with for a few years is on again. I'll be playing Tevye in his monologues and songs in this event, while a priest discusses the religious aspects of the musical. As I'll be 75 real soon and my hair is now white, I'm hoping that with the help of Just For Men I'll be convincing as a father and not a grandfather..

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 1/22/24 at 4:53pm

Is this still happening?

[Ke3]

Posted: 1/22/24 at 5:17pm

In the year and half to two year span before it was sold to Amazon, MGM greenlit a ton of projects. Many of them would have mined IP from their vault. My thinking is this was done partially as advertising. "Look what you'll get if you buy us!" I don't think any of the projects they announced will actually happen. Especially because Abdy and De Luca (the excuctives in charge at the time) left for WB + Amazon has completely restructured their Hollywood operations. They're reigning in their "we can afford to spend whatever" attitude.

[JanLisaHuttner]

Posted: 1/22/24 at 5:28pm

Well, alas, all mention of it has vanished completely from Thomas Kail's IMDb page (see link below), so Ke3's explanation sounds likely. I am very sad because IMHO *Fiddler on the Roof* really needs an onscreen update. (I have never been a fan of the film. I think Topol was badly miscast -- albeit very good on stage in his later years -- and Jewison violated the spirit of the Robbins version, mostly especially with respect to the Yente character. All of this is discussed in considerable detail in my book *Diamond Fiddler: New Traditions for a New Millennium*.) Alas!  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2371802/?

Updated On: 1/22/24 at 05:28 PM

[Jonathan Cohen]

Posted: 1/22/24 at 8:28pm

I'm not especially a Topol fan, but the ship has long since sailed on getting Zero Mostel in a movie version. 

So for me, Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish is the movie version I want to see.

Updated On: 1/22/24 at 08:28 PM

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 1/22/24 at 10:31pm

Norman Jewison, who directed FIDDLER ON THE ROOF for the screen, has passed away at age 97.

i mention it as I think it is one of the best Broadway-to-Film adaptations ever. The movie still works and I think it was perfect in its execution. I still watch it every year or so.

 

[Azúcar!]

Posted: 9/24/24 at 6:35pm

Is the Thomas Kail film production still happening?  This talk about the new Guys and Dolls just brings to mind so many film and stage projects that get big announcements and then.. nothing.  I think the world could use a new filmed production of Fiddler. Which is different than what I felt when this was first announced.

[DAME]

Posted: 9/24/24 at 6:59pm

I think you are right.  I wouldn't mind knowing that there is a new Fiddler movie on its way.  Nothing will touch the original film production.  To me it is perfection.  But is a good time for this story of prejudice, tradition, family and humanity to try and reach and comfort more people.  Is this still happening?  I think someone had said it is for max?

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/24/24 at 7:03pm

Ke3 said: "In the year and half to two year span before it was sold to Amazon, MGM greenlit a ton of projects. Many of them would have mined IP from their vault. My thinking is this was done partially as advertising. "Look what you'll get if you buy us!" I don't think any of the projects they announced will actually happen."

I think this answers the question.

Kail is not a hot film director, and I can think of very few legitimately famous film stars who would be right for Tevye.

[DAME]

Posted: 9/24/24 at 7:09pm

That is too bad.   But I wouldn't think they would need a legitimate famous film star at all.  And not sure then why such  specific press release with Thomas Kail's name announced would have been released.  

I just reread the release and I am afraid you might be right.  It is after all MGM.

Updated On: 9/24/24 at 07:09 PM

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/24/24 at 7:35pm

DAME said: "That is too bad. But I wouldn't think they would need a legitimatefamous film star at all. And not sure then why such specific press release with Thomas Kail's name announced would have been released.

I just reread the release and I am afraid you might be right. It is after all MGM."


A musical film must have a star to get funding and attract an audience. There isn't a single live action film on this top 25 list that didn't have a star. And in this case if that star is not a Jew, there would be a whole lot of screaming that no studio wants to deal with. FIDDLER's not going to sell on its own.

They put out a press release with Kail's name because he was signed on, pre-Amazon MGM probably paid him a little money, and for a short time the project might have seemed real before it became not-real. And MGM wanted to have a bunch of projects in the hopper while they were trying to get sold.

Probably better off leaving FIDDLER alone.

Updated On: 9/24/24 at 07:35 PM

[DAME]

Posted: 9/24/24 at 8:15pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "DAME said: "That is too bad. But I wouldn't think they would need a legitimatefamous film star at all. And not sure then why such specific press release with Thomas Kail's name announced would have been released.

I just reread the release and I am afraid you might be right. It is after all MGM."


A musical film musthave a star to get funding and attract an audience. There isn't a single live action film on this top 25 list that didn't have a star.And in this case if that star is not a Jew, there would be a whole lot of screaming that no studio wants to deal with. FIDDLER's not going to sell on its own.

They put out a press release with Kail's name because he was signed on, pre-Amazon MGM probably paid him a little money, and for a short time the project might have seemed real before it became not-real. And MGM wanted to have a bunch of projects in the hopper while they were trying to get sold.

Probably better off leaving FIDDLER alone."

Sad

[witchoftheeast2]

Posted: 9/25/24 at 9:50am

I think there are a lot of other film adaptations in the works that are taking precedence over this, which I'm honestly happy about. I can't think of anyone who could top the original films stars. Best to leave it alone. 

[BwayLB]

Posted: 9/25/24 at 9:58am

With Kail currently filming that crazy Moana live action for Disney, who knows.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/25/24 at 10:02am

witchoftheeast2 said: "I think there are a lot of other film adaptations in the works that are taking precedence over this"

Taking precedence by whom, the Broadway Court that says when a musical can be adapted for the screen????

As with any film & show, if there hadn’t been an update in more than 12-18 months, just assume it ain’t happening.

[witchoftheeast2]

Posted: 9/25/24 at 10:28am

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "witchoftheeast2 said: "I think there are a lot of other film adaptations in the works that are taking precedence over this"

Taking precedence by whom, the Broadway Court that says when a musical can be adapted for the screen????

As with any film & show, if there hadn’t been an update in more than 12-18 months, just assume it ain’t happening."

I just meant there are other adaptations that have been announced. Actually, I may have gotten ahead of myself there. If it's truly happening there's Kiss of The Spider Woman and then of course Wicked. But that's all I know of so...disregard my comment. But I think you're correct that if there's no update within that time frame, it ain't happening 

Updated On: 9/25/24 at 10:28 AM