Nathan Lane floats Jack Black for a PRODUCERS revival... bonkers or brilliant?

[Magic2Do]

Nathan Lane floats Jack Black for a PRODUCERS revival... bonkers or brilliant?#1

Posted: 5/17/26 at 8:29am

Nathan Lane went on the record with Deadline saying the ONLY person he can imagine playing Max Bialystock in a new revival is Jack Black:
https://deadline.com/2026/05/nathan-lane-wants-jack-black-producers-broadway-revival-1236907231/

My first reaction was "huh?" but the more I sit with it, the more I see it. Black has the showman muscle, the comic timing, and the singing chops (SCHOOL OF ROCK was not nothing). And in a post-Mel Brooks landscape, you do need a Max who can play big and broad without winking.

The harder question: who plays Leo? You can't cast Max without nailing Bloom. Andrew Rannells? Gideon Glick? Somebody weirder? And does THE PRODUCERS even land in 2026 the way it did in 2001? A few of the gags would need an honest pass.

[lala3]

Nathan Lane floats Jack Black for a PRODUCERS revival... bonkers or brilliant?#2

Posted: 5/17/26 at 10:27am

I think you're right on the money with Rannells. But despite the nod from Lane himself I don't like the suggestion of Jack Black. I think the character has a certain feigned refinement that I can't see Black pull off. However I could see Josh Gad do it. And a revival with a reunion of a pairing that took Broadway by storm is a marketing no brainer.

Plus both of them have made a name for themselves in film and TV.

 

[John Adams]

Nathan Lane floats Jack Black for a PRODUCERS revival... bonkers or brilliant?#3

Posted: 5/17/26 at 10:42am

I like the idea of Jack Black in the role a lot. Although there are similarities between Lane, Brooks, Black and even Mostel's humor, Black has an energy in his delivery that is uniquely his (as is also true of Lane). 

I can see how Black could brand Bialystock to himself in a similar way that Lane did.

As for Bloom, I know Ben Marshall from SNL can sing, but I think he's more of a baritone than tenor. I like the contrast in height and looks between Marshall and Black.

[BrodyFosse123]

Nathan Lane floats Jack Black for a PRODUCERS revival... bonkers or brilliant?#4

Posted: 5/17/26 at 11:54am

Anyone questioning Jack Black’s talent and range, live under a huge rock in suburban Ohio and still living 6 blocks from their childhood home. Nathan Lane knows what he’s talking about. 

 

[SteveSanders]

Nathan Lane floats Jack Black for a PRODUCERS revival... bonkers or brilliant?#5

Posted: 5/17/26 at 1:24pm

The Producers is packing them in right now in London. Having seen it twice, I think it still shows quite well in this day and age.

[ACL2006]

Nathan Lane floats Jack Black for a PRODUCERS revival... bonkers or brilliant?#6

Posted: 5/17/26 at 1:54pm

I'd worry Jack Black wouldn't be able handle the role 8 times a week.

A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.

[lala3]

Nathan Lane floats Jack Black for a PRODUCERS revival... bonkers or brilliant?#7

Posted: 5/17/26 at 2:48pm

Or they are just not that impressed. This video you posted is fine. But I'm not blown away by it.

 His singing and dancing would be fine.

I question the quality of his acting mostly,

[lala3]

Nathan Lane floats Jack Black for a PRODUCERS revival... bonkers or brilliant?#8

Posted: 5/17/26 at 2:49pm

ACL2006 said: "I'd worry Jack Black wouldn't be able handle the role 8 times a week."

He's been on tour with his band. I think he could handle eight shows a week.