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RENT 2000 Screenplay?

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Sondheimite
#1RENT 2000 Screenplay?
Posted: 10/25/17 at 8:44pm

Has anyone read/does anyone have their hands on Stephen Chbosky's original RENT screenplay from 2000 before Chris Columbus took a hacksaw to it?  I remember reading it a few years ago and would flip to read it again/get some more info on it! 


Broadway World's Fireman.

g.d.e.l.g.i. Profile Photo
g.d.e.l.g.i.
#2RENT 2000 Screenplay?
Posted: 10/26/17 at 7:48am

Check your inbox.


Formerly gvendo2005
Broadway Legend
joined: 5/1/05

Blocked: After Eight, suestorm, david_fick, emlodik, lovebwy, Dave28282, joevitus, BorisTomashevsky

LYLS3637 Profile Photo
LYLS3637
#3RENT 2000 Screenplay?
Posted: 10/26/17 at 9:12am

Wait, there's an actual copy of it floating around? I had only ever heard that Chbosky wrote an alternate draft. I'd love to read it. Perks of Being a Wallflower as a film/screenplay is my favorite book to film adaptation since To Kill a Mockingbird. 


"I shall stay until the wind changes."

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thirtythirtyninety
#4RENT 2000 Screenplay?
Posted: 10/26/17 at 10:52am

I was able to read it back in the day.  It was interesting.  Not sure it's THAT much better than the shooting script. I like most of Chbosky's work.

g.d.e.l.g.i. Profile Photo
g.d.e.l.g.i.
#5RENT 2000 Screenplay?
Posted: 10/26/17 at 4:39pm

LYLS3637 said: "Wait, there's an actual copy of it floating around?"

Yep. Check your inbox.

Truthfully, Chbosky was a writer on all phases of the film, but Columbus collaborated on the rewrite that was more reminiscent of the stage version for the final cut (and was briefly co-credited for screenplay; check the back of a Rent soundtrack sometime, I think he was still billed at the time they made the CD packaging).

While I concur with thirtythirtyninety that to some it might not be better or more ideal than the final product (for those who are purists/sticklers, fair warning: in many places it's a drastic departure from the play), but I would argue it captures the spirit of the show better.


Formerly gvendo2005
Broadway Legend
joined: 5/1/05

Blocked: After Eight, suestorm, david_fick, emlodik, lovebwy, Dave28282, joevitus, BorisTomashevsky

uncageg Profile Photo
uncageg
#6RENT 2000 Screenplay?
Posted: 10/26/17 at 4:54pm

While on the subject of the screenplay, did anyone read the one that was supposed to be the Spike Lee screenplay? Cannot remember where, but it was posted somewhere online around that time. I think it was taken down. I read it. If it was actually his, I would love to have seen that version much more.


Just give the world Love.

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showchoirguy
#7RENT 2000 Screenplay?
Posted: 10/26/17 at 5:26pm

I’d also like to peek at this!

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TheSassySam
#8RENT 2000 Screenplay?
Posted: 10/26/17 at 5:31pm

I didn't even know this existed! I would love to indulge reading it. 

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SkidRowUrchins
#9RENT 2000 Screenplay?
Posted: 10/26/17 at 5:41pm

If I could also get a copy, that would be great!

Alexander Lamar
#10RENT 2000 Screenplay?
Posted: 10/26/17 at 5:53pm

I’d love to read it as well if anyone is interested in sharing.

lucas_glenn
#11RENT 2000 Screenplay?
Posted: 10/26/17 at 9:33pm

May I also get a peek?

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everythingtaboo
#12RENT 2000 Screenplay?
Posted: 10/26/17 at 9:52pm

Add me to the list!




"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008

TMC2
#13RENT 2000 Screenplay?
Posted: 10/26/17 at 10:05pm

I would love to see this as well, if it's not too much trouble!

BDrischBDemented
#14RENT 2000 Screenplay?
Posted: 10/26/17 at 10:12pm

I mean... as long as we're all asking... can I see it too, please?


"Your lyrics lack subtlety! You can't just have your characters announce how they feel! That makes me feel angry!"

g.d.e.l.g.i. Profile Photo
g.d.e.l.g.i.
#15RENT 2000 Screenplay?
Posted: 10/27/17 at 7:25am

uncageg said: "While on the subject of the screenplay, did anyone read the one that was supposed to be the Spike Lee screenplay? Cannot remember where, but it was posted somewhere online around that time. I think it was taken down. I read it. If it was actually his, I would love to have seen that version much more."

The early Chbosky draft would be the one you're referring to. Spike Lee was supposed to direct it for Miramax, and (I believe) they wanted Rob Marshall on it at one point as well, possibly just to choreograph, but when they called him in for a meeting, he turned it down and then pitched them on Chicago, so we indirectly have Rent to thank for the movie musical renaissance of the early 2000s.

(If memory serves, this version of the movie ultimately fell apart because Miramax and Spike could never come to terms on a budget. It got as far as a casting call being posted at Playbill Online for ensemble in 2001, and reports of names like Justin Timberlake and Brittany Murphy for the leads were being heard around town [I've also heard that, on a less "name" name level, Raul Esparza read for Mark and Euan Morton for Angel], before it got scuttled.)

As for the rest of you thirsty, thirsty people, hang on a minute, sheesh, I'm getting to all of you. :P


Formerly gvendo2005
Broadway Legend
joined: 5/1/05

Blocked: After Eight, suestorm, david_fick, emlodik, lovebwy, Dave28282, joevitus, BorisTomashevsky
Updated On: 10/27/17 at 07:25 AM

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fashionguru_23
#16RENT 2000 Screenplay?
Posted: 10/27/17 at 8:38am

I'd love to be on the list as well.


"Ok ok ok ok ok ok ok. Have you guys heard about fidget spinners!?" ~Patti LuPone

Jish
#17RENT 2000 Screenplay?
Posted: 10/27/17 at 9:46am

Add me to the request list please :)

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whatacharacter
#18RENT 2000 Screenplay?
Posted: 10/27/17 at 9:58am

me too please?

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BJR
#19RENT 2000 Screenplay?
Posted: 10/27/17 at 10:34am

Can someone detail some of the difference in the screenplays? Would love an overview. I'm always fascinated by different artists' takes on material.

uncageg Profile Photo
uncageg
#20RENT 2000 Screenplay?
Posted: 10/27/17 at 11:59am

g.d.e.l.g.i. said: "uncageg said: "While on the subject of the screenplay, did anyone read the one that was supposed to be the Spike Lee screenplay? Cannot remember where, but it was posted somewhere online around that time. I think it was taken down. I read it. If it was actually his, I would love to have seen that version much more."

The early Chbosky draft would be the one you're referring to. Spike Lee was supposed to direct it for Miramax, and (I believe) they wanted Rob Marshall on it at one point as well, possibly just to choreograph, but when they called him in for a meeting, he turned it down and then pitched them onChicago, so we indirectly haveRentto thank for the movie musical renaissance of the early 2000s.

(If memory serves, this version of the movie ultimately fell apart because Miramax and Spike could never come to terms on a budget. It got as far as a casting call being posted at Playbill Online for ensemble in 2001, and reports of names like Justin Timberlake and Brittany Murphy for the leads were being heard around town [I've also heard that, on a less "name" name level, Raul Esparza read for Mark and Euan Morton for Angel], before it got scuttled.)

As for the rest of you thirsty, thirsty people, hang on a minute, sheesh, I'm getting to all of you. :P"



I did some digging after I posted and your memory serves you correctly. Such a shame that version was dropped. Just reading it I could visualize what Lee would have done with it and it probably would have been incredible and truer to the stage production. In my opinion, his style would have been perfect, or at least the best, to have brought the show to the screen. I periodically wish inside that when rights come back up he would just go out and make it. Wishful thinking.


Just give the world Love.

ilovebabyv Profile Photo
ilovebabyv
#21RENT 2000 Screenplay?
Posted: 10/27/17 at 1:12pm

Hate to do this but can I also get a copy? Chbosky is my all time favorite writer!

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CarlosAlberto
#22RENT 2000 Screenplay?
Posted: 10/27/17 at 2:31pm

I want a copy as well. Pretty please! :)

justabwaybaby Profile Photo
justabwaybaby
#23RENT 2000 Screenplay?
Posted: 10/27/17 at 3:24pm

I guess add me to the request list, as well. I hate asking, but I'm really curious about what could have been.

viola13
#24RENT 2000 Screenplay?
Posted: 10/27/17 at 3:32pm

Could I also get a PM? Thanks so much!

Wildcard
#25RENT 2000 Screenplay?
Posted: 10/27/17 at 9:02pm

Can you send me the script as well please :)


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