Latebreaking RENT FILM CASTING NEWS — Page 2

With this and what bad business might go down next Tuesday (ahem), perhaps I should start wondering if I'll be hit by a car two weeks from today should the Bad News Tuesday trend continue.

*grins*

Of course I'm obligated to remind myself and others that the article says that Columbus is pursuing the OBC -- not that they've agreed to reprise the roles.

...Because that was a necessary comment.

To each his own - I don't care. But saying it like that? Classy.

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Updated On: 10/26/04 at 09:53 AM

And as usual, the movie industry fails to surprise. Shoulda known they'd go with the easiest choice. Because why go through an audition process trying to find young unknowns in the spirit of the original show when you can just take advantage of every love-blinded, OBC-worshipping Rent-head instead? Really, anytime a move saves actual thinking or daring, you can count on a studio making it.

Updated On: 10/26/04 at 09:55 AM

No one conveys angst n' anguish as consistently as Pascal. And I mean really consistently. As in I sometimes doubt he can convey anything else.

I have no idea about the interviews or anything, but I was never blown away by Pascal's talent- or by that of most of the OBC, for that matter.

Broadwayguy, why so much hatred and negativety?? Really, if you don't love Adam, that's fine, but obviously a lot of us adore his voice and think he's very talented, so there's no need to be rude and call him a "hack" of all things.

I actually feel bad for Columbus. No matter what he does with this movie, people will whine and complain. If he casts total unknowns, people might complain about the lack of talent and then everyone will wish he'd cast the OBC. But then the same people complain if the OBC is cast! It's a no-win situation for him, really. I've heard people say they don't want him to change the script too much, and would like to basically see the stage show on screen. But other people complain that if it isn't changed enough, then the movie is basically pointless. What's the guy to do?? I sure don't envy him right now...

Personally, I don't think Adam, Anthony, Jesse, Taye, and Idina look too old, They're only in their 30's, and movie makeup can work wonders. I'd rather see an OBC member who might be a bit too old than seeing an 18 year old nobody who messes up the movie. Oh well, you can't please everyone.

You really think there's no one in their late teens to mid-twenties who can do the roles at least as well as the OBC? I mean, really?

Irrationality at its best, folks. Come and get it.

Right, and that makes the assumption that if they cast a non-OBC person they'll screw it up. Needless to say, I disagree.

"But other people complain that if it isn't changed enough, then the movie is basically pointless. What's the guy to do?? I sure don't envy him right now..."

Take his time and do it right. Once he's filmed this, Rent as material for a big screen adaptation is done for a long time -- perhaps forever. A lost property (if only because even if the film fails, Revolution is unlikely to admit to that by selling it to another company for a second adaptation).

Updated On: 10/26/04 at 10:28 AM

I AM a bitch, you sexy thing.


And just to add another hot, snide remark for kicks: What's next, news that the same costumes will be used?

My answer on how the movie should be done is


HOWEVER THE FU*K COLUMBUS WANTS IT DONE. He is the director and no matter what Evelyn (who clearly has no other involvement in this project than complaining non stop about it) says about it. Just wait for the damn thing to come out and go see it.

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A December 2005 deadline at this point doesn't mean rushing anything, dearie. Depending on how they want to film it and the style they go with, that's a very reasonable goal.

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"How many of you people claiming the OBC was the best actually saw the OBC perform the show?"

I saw them three times the summer of 1996. They were the best cast I have ever seen in the show and I have seen several. The show has steadily deteriorated and morphed into a completely different show.

"You really think there's no one in their late teens to mid-twenties who can do the roles at least as well as the OBC? I mean, really?"

Not that I've seen so far. Last summer, the majority of the cast performed the show as a bunch of young college kids who get to do Rent every night rather than actually making the effort to become the characters. Other than Joanne and Tom Collins, there was very little sincerity or truth occurring on stage. The show is not about the age of the characters or about hip pop stars. It was an overnight hit before audiences ever recognized the actors' names. It was a show that connected on an emotional level with the audience based on the material, direction and performances. On Broadway, there is only the material left. I just hope Columbus doesn't abandon the same crucial elements as the Broadway producers seem to have done.

"These people risk tainting the legacy of their performances in the original production by starring in a film that could very well bomb critically and financially."

Or be an enormous success. What makes you think it will bomb? There has only been speculation on casting. Don't count your chickens.

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Just pointing out I'm a tad skeptical about his artistic vision, that's all. :P

But hey, I'm not terribly invested in this except as a movie musical in general- I don't want any of them to fail because the studios will probably take that as a signal that all movie musicals are bad ideas and withdraw interest.