Lee Daniels to helm "Miss Saigon" adaptation (aiming for '11)

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 10/20/09 at 11:38pm

Lee Daniels, director of Shadowboxer and the upcoming Precious, will be directing a film adaptation of Miss Saigon. They're aiming for a 2011 release date.

Daniels has more under his belt as a producer than a director, but the man is immensely talented. Precious looks to be raking in multiple Oscar noms.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118010180.html?categoryid=10&cs=1&nid=2248

[threetwoone]

Posted: 10/20/09 at 11:40pm

Wow! A lot of movie adaptations of musicals aimed for 2011!

Yay Miss Saigon!

[Pgenre]

Posted: 10/20/09 at 11:46pm

Likely Casting, like it or not:

It will have to be an unknown for Kim...

I vote for James Marsden as Chris, though who knows what direction they will go in for that role. Matt Morrison would be great, but too B-list.

ScarJo for Ellen? They DEF need to give her a different song, whoever they cast.

And John? Why do I see Jamie Foxx involved in this? Too small a role?

Maybe they will skew younger, though with the HSM/Disney/Hairspray age kids?

CONTROVERSIAL CASTING: Robert Downey Jr for the Engineer.

P
Updated On: 10/20/09 at 11:46 PM

[lmw8880]

Posted: 10/21/09 at 12:03am

I hope that this is done well and isn't a let down. It's my favorite musical of all times and I would love to see it on the big screen.

I can't think of any casting for it Hollywood wise, but I agree with Pgenre's thought for Jamie Fox as John.

[scaryclowns2232]

Posted: 10/21/09 at 12:05am

Anyone else think Ken Jeong could make a hilarious (if somewhat unconventional) Engineer?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/21/09 at 12:05am

And so the barrage of threads begins...

Ugh.

[jonmbway4652]

Posted: 10/21/09 at 12:18am

I think Miss Saigon will truly come to life on the screen in a away it never did onstage. The stage show was very touching, but I think that the story will adapt much better on the big screen, an I can not say that about any other musical. In the hands of Lee Daniels, this is bound to be something amazing.
Updated On: 10/21/09 at 12:18 AM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 10/21/09 at 12:23am

Would be really interested to know who they are looking to cast but guess we will see when the time comes. I like the James Marsden idea.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 10/21/09 at 12:24am

Interesting choice for director and give how good Precious is apparently, I'm thinking this might be a nice choice. I just hope they don't cut this one to crap or turn a bunch of the singing into spoke dialogue. PLEASE let this be good. I love this musical. It has the possibility of being a gorgeous, epic masterpiece if done correctly.

[jsg03jd]

Posted: 10/21/09 at 12:39am

I always thought this was one musical that would translate well onstage given all the precedential documentaries and movies we've seen on the subject matter, except that MISS SAIGON will focus on the central story of Kim, Chris and her "ultimate sacrifice."

I'd love to see a young Asian actress get her break in this film just as Lea Salonga did 20 years ago when she created the role in the West End.

Pretty good news, IMHO.

[Wildcard]

Posted: 10/21/09 at 12:47am

I think James Marsden is too old for Chris, especially since Kim is just 17. It will have to be someone early to mid-20s who can pass off as late 20's for the Bangkok scenes.

I know it's pretty unconventional but if Rob Schneider can sing, I can totally see him as the Engineer. Fits the eurasian mold, with enough comic timing to make the character interesting. It may also be a good way of showing his serious side. Otherwise, I'm sure they will cast someone like Ken Watanabe or Chow Yun Fat who will probably be wrong for the role.

Whoever they cast, I am so excited for this news. I love Miss Saigon! Maybe Lea Salonga can play Gigi or cameo as Mama San in one of the Bangkok scenes. She's still very innocent looking though so they've got to hookerize her.

[jovie27]

Posted: 10/21/09 at 1:04am

Jake Gyllenhaal as Chris!

[Wildcard]

Posted: 10/21/09 at 1:19am

I would take out "If You Want To Die in Bed" and give Chris a real song instead.

[Pgenre]

Posted: 10/21/09 at 1:22am

"Why God Why" is probably too famous/popular to be cut, if that's what you mean by "Chris's song"...

...and "If You Want To Die In Bed" is probably too important to the character of the Engineer, who sings it, to lose, as it is his personal motto pretty much.

I could see "Bui Doi", John's song, being cut before either of those two songs.

P
Updated On: 10/21/09 at 01:22 AM

[BDrischBDemented]

Posted: 10/21/09 at 2:59am

I'd like to see them cut all the songs and replace them with worthwhile music. HI-O.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 10/21/09 at 3:11am

Snap!!!

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 10/21/09 at 7:00am

I think IF they can sing, Ryan Reynolds & Scarlet Johannsen will make a great pair of Chris & Ellen ~

[StageManager2]

Posted: 10/21/09 at 7:37am

Pgenre: Cutting "Bui-doi"?! That was one of the most touching and emotional parts of the show. Frankly, "If You Want To Die In Bed" adds nothing to the story. It's a meaningless song, and it's so boring. I always skip it. If it were me, I'd cut that before "Bui-doi" or "Why God Why."

[Marquise]

Posted: 10/21/09 at 7:38am

~ or maybe the producers will get cold feet and decide to rework all the musical numbers as imagery in Chris' head due to his conflict with his relationships with Kim, Ellen and the conflict of war or simply because people in real life don't sing at each other.

or better yet...they decide to condense the score by dumping 1/2 of the songs because the big box office stars they cast in the leads can't handle singing and they don't want to alienate the average movie goer.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 10/21/09 at 9:28am

I honestly love this musical and I'm so glad it is being made into a movie. If he can sing, I would love to see what Tony Leung could do with The Engineer.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/21/09 at 9:37am

Jon Gosselin for the Engineer!

I think that people are funny when they say that something is "too important" or whatever to be cut, as though most of the times aren't just seemingly arbitrary. I still don't understand the end of the Hairspray movie.

[jonmbway4652]

Posted: 10/21/09 at 9:47am

"Jon Gosselin for the Engineer!"

I was thinking the same thing hahhaha

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 10/21/09 at 1:04pm

I agree with whoever said it earlier... Lea Salonga needs to be in this movie in some capacity!

~Steven

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 10/21/09 at 1:36pm

i was thinking... Lea Salonga still looks young... she could play Gigi! or if they do a flashback of Kim's past... she could be the mom getting blown up.. haha!

and that Jon Gosselin comment made me laugh so much!

[jsg03jd]

Posted: 10/21/09 at 7:22pm

Lou Diamond Phillips could toss his hat in for the Engineer.