Rent Movie is Casting now in NYC!!!!

[Matt_G]

Posted: 9/25/04 at 3:06pm

Hmmm. I doubt they are going to cast complete unknowns in any of the leads, especially since a major studio is attached. Best of luck to your roomate, though.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 9/25/04 at 3:07pm

how true Matt.

rent has a BAD habit of publicty casting calls. During the first tour, I remember all of the bogus calls they held in tour cities.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 9/25/04 at 3:08pm

The project that would not die. I still think Spike Lee would have made a far more brilliant film and his rumoured casting choices, up until the plug was pulled, were inspired.

[BroadwayDiva]

Posted: 9/25/04 at 3:08pm

Good luck to your roommate!!

I'm afraid that what Matt_G says is true. They're probably going to have a few semi-big/big names in it. As long as the people are talented and don't totally kill RENT, I don't mind who they cast.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 9/25/04 at 3:14pm

amen Al.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 9/25/04 at 3:16pm

Good luck for your roomie. How did he hear about the audition? (agency or open call?) Did they tell him he was up for the role of Mark?

Hope things work out, although honestly I think stunt-casting is more likely to occur.

On CB, someone mentioned that Chris Columbus was at Wednesday's RENT tour production in San Jose. Anyone else hear about this?

[insomniak]

Posted: 9/25/04 at 3:20pm

Just because someone's famous doesn't mean they'll kill the movie. Catherine Zeta-Jones in Chicago, anyone?

*crosses fingers*

[insomniak]

Posted: 9/25/04 at 3:22pm

Undiscovered, are you talking about Chobsky's (sp?) script? It didn't work for me. Some things were good, but some things I just didn't like. Rent was the first song and Roger wrote it, and it just didn't make sense story-wise.

Is Raul still attached to the movie?

[Marquise]

Posted: 9/25/04 at 3:26pm

yeah insomniak i agree with you, people tend to jump the gun. i remember when czj was cast in chicago. immediately everyone was predicting that the movie was going to suck because they felt bebe neuwirth should have been cast. what wound up happening? czj wound up kicking major movie musical @ss. i'm sure she has a good laugh over the whole thing as she's polishing her Oscar.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 9/25/04 at 3:32pm

Did someone mention Catherine? lol

Anyway, at this point I don't really care about the movie. If it does really well, then YAY!! If it sucks, oh well........I still have my OBC recording. I am just ready for them to do it or say nevermind, it is just not going to work.......instead of procrastanating.

[insomniak]

Posted: 9/25/04 at 3:34pm

I'm afraid that if it is bad, people will think the original sucks too.

I would like to see the Spike Lee script. Can you tell me more about it, Undiscovered? I think Raul is too old now to play a character is his early twenties, so it's best that he's not involved.

[Marquise]

Posted: 9/25/04 at 3:36pm

i'm with u on that spiderdj. look how many years it took EVITA to be filmed...not to mention PHANTOM and CHICAGO! and DREAMGIRLS has yet to make it to the big screen. if RENT makes it to the silver screen only 8 or 9 years after it's debut it's extremely fortunate.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 9/25/04 at 3:36pm

It was very dark and gritty and urban. Not exactly what it takes to appeal to middle America.

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 9/25/04 at 3:39pm

To all who are going:
Break a leg!

[Matt_G]

Posted: 9/25/04 at 3:40pm

It's gonna be what it's gonna be and there ain't a damn thing anyone posting in this thread can do but sit back and wait for it.

[Marquise]

Posted: 9/25/04 at 3:42pm

AMEN to that Matt_G!

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 9/25/04 at 3:43pm

Preach on, preacher

[Al Dente]

Posted: 9/25/04 at 3:47pm

I agree undiscovered. Also SOS wasn't a much beloved musical first. He had all the leeway with that he wanted.

[insomniak]

Posted: 9/25/04 at 4:02pm

True. I usually avoid the flame wars and disscussions of it on CB because I don't think it's worth the effort, but if anyone hears anything, please share.

Undiscovered, what changes were made in Spike's script?

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 9/25/04 at 4:20pm

I so wish Spike were at the helm.

[EvelynNesbit1906]

Posted: 9/25/04 at 4:45pm

GREAT NEWS! I was dreading this possibility that the project might enter production hell once again...

Anyway, having read Steve C's screenplay, I'm at an advantage because I've already "experienced" Rent in two different forms (as a stage production and as a film that probably won't be produced). So I just view Columbus' version as the third adaptation of Rent I've experienced, and I'll be especially curious about how many songs he incorporates into the plot and whether the cold realities of AIDS are depicted on the screen...

The only thing I wouldn't be able to forgive is the omission or truncation of Another Day.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 9/25/04 at 4:56pm

Since we're rehashing this again, I think I won't lose any sleep if Today 4 U, Santa Fe and We're Okay are cut out. Anything else, even truncated, is more or less unforgivable.

Oh yeah, topic. So was this an open call or what?? You know, I wouldn't be surprised if a few of the leads are no-namers. I mean, Chris Columbus had no problem giving the supporting roles in Harry Potter to the big names, and giving the leads to up-and-comers. I would say Mark, Riger and Mimi may even go to no-namers, and Joanne, Angel, Collins, Benny go to big names.

[timote316]

Posted: 9/25/04 at 6:11pm

"Oh yeah, topic. So was this an open call or what?? You know, I wouldn't be surprised if a few of the leads are no-namers. I mean, Chris Columbus had no problem giving the supporting roles in Harry Potter to the big names, and giving the leads to up-and-comers. I would say Mark, Riger and Mimi may even go to no-namers, and Joanne, Angel, Collins, Benny go to big names. "

I agree with this. If (big IF, it is UPN) Taye's new show is a big hit, he'd be a somewhat big draw as Benny. Jai Rodriguez (Queer Eye, for those who dont know)is the best choice for Angel, IMO. Queen Latifah wouldn't ruin Joanne, and Collins isn't that hard (Jesse L. Martin?). I really don't want a star as Mark, Roger or Mimi, I hope Mr. Columbus goes the Harry Potter route and cast unknowns (or Hollywood unknowns; I wouldn't mind Broadway vets, a la Matt Caplan, Cary/Jeremy or Krystal, as I've heard nothing but good things about all four of them)

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 9/25/04 at 6:15pm

I know I am going to get a lot of flack for saying what I am about to say............but, I would love to see Christina Aguilera in the role of MiMi. Can't you just imagine "Out Tonight" coming from those pipes? I wish I could actually hear that.

[timote316]

Posted: 9/25/04 at 6:30pm

I wouldnt mind a Rent concert with actual recording artists. But the movie doesnt need to be that lol

But yes, Christina singing Out Tonight would be something