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!
Posted: 10/26/17 at 7:48am
Check your inbox.
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.
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.
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.
Posted: 10/26/17 at 4:54pm
Posted: 10/26/17 at 5:31pm
I didn't even know this existed! I would love to indulge reading it.
Posted: 10/26/17 at 5:41pm
Posted: 10/26/17 at 5:53pm
Posted: 10/26/17 at 9:52pm
Add me to the list!
Posted: 10/26/17 at 10:05pm
I would love to see this as well, if it's not too much trouble!
Posted: 10/26/17 at 10:12pm
I mean... as long as we're all asking... can I see it too, please?
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
Updated On: 10/27/17 at 07:25 AM
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.
Posted: 10/27/17 at 11:59am
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.
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!
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.
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