Rent Movie- Page 2

[wickedrawbrt]

Posted: 5/7/04 at 2:29pm

This is the worst news I've gotten all day, and it's just beginning. I work for a Hollywood studio and I prayed no one would ever make this movie because I know what they'll do with it. Now we find out Columbus is going to direct...YIKES! I hate to be so negative, but I work in this town and I know how these people think. You can look forward to bad casting, cut songs, mtv style editing, everything that will ruin this project. Oh well...Maybe it's just me, but not every hit Broadway musical can or even should be filmed.

[JakeB]

Posted: 5/7/04 at 2:44pm

I love this board to bits, but listen up, RENT as a movie will not WORK without star casting, it will not WORK without a high profile director, it will not WORK with the Original Broadway Cast.

Before someone jumps at me and says that Phantom has no star casting, it has ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER attached to it, plus the fact Phantom is a multi-national phenomenon. RENT was a flop in England. If there's any chance of them making it for a wider audience, then YES - put Justin Timberlake in.

I've said this time and time again - why are people so protective about their so-called hobby of the theatre? Only 1% of actors will make it to Broadway, only 1% of directors make lots of money out of theatre, only 1% of writers are commercial hits. If it takes Britney as Mimi, so be it. If Tango Maureen is cut, live with it. If the Tune Ups are replaced with dialogue, that's life.

Try to understand theatre from a commercial view. Until then, go back to your Galinda bubbles where everyone can live the dream.

[wickedrawbrt]

Posted: 5/7/04 at 3:04pm

Right on JakeB. Working at a studio has taught me that the only way anything moves in this town is if it has commercial appeal. That comes with big stars and big directors. And remember that film is a visual art form...you don't need nearly as many songs or dialogue.

I stand by what I said though. I still think Rent is unfilmable.

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 5/7/04 at 3:10pm

I do understand it from a commercial view, but it still makes me sad about stunt casting. But I know that's reality. Money makes the world go round. I'm still stuck in the bubble I guess, but every now and then I pick up my broom and see the real world. It's not pretty. Sigh. In Perfect, Rent would have been made a movie with the OBC before they left the show and it would be a global movie phenomenon that would have made the world look harder for a cure to AIDS. Of course, we don't live anywhere near Perfect so we have to go to Walgreens...

But I digress: I think that when Rent closes or right before the movie comes out (which ever comes first), HBO or Showtime or maybe even PBS should show the Lincoln Center Archive video of the OBC. That's my pseudo-realistic dream.

[GirlfriendFromCanada]

Posted: 5/7/04 at 3:12pm

There is a commercial, and yes, I know it is only thirty seconds, but if the movie were ever to be done in the style that this 30 second commercial is done, it would be amazing.

I agree with those saying that it needs big names and whatnot. It does. And I personally would have nothing against someone like Justin Timberlake being in it. What's the point of getting all wound up, really. Open minds!

[Do_You_Taboo?]

Posted: 5/7/04 at 3:23pm

I would die a happy, happy man if i got to hear Raul sing Rent songs. Justing = Hell No. Raul = Hell Yes.

[wickedrawbrt]

Posted: 5/7/04 at 3:32pm

But isn't Mr. Esparza a little long in the tooth for this project? Come on now, that kind of casting works on stage when you are 30 feet away from the actor, not when your face is 30 feet tall on a movie screen.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 5/7/04 at 3:36pm

The problem with attaching Justin Timberlake to the project is he can't sing....his voice would never work with the score. I'm sure there is SOMEONE else out there they could cast in one of the roles that would work better.

I really think they only need to cast one major star. As for the original cast being too old...I agree for at least a few. Daphne Rubin-Vega has DEFINITELy aged since Rent, and she just does not look the part anymore. Taye and Idina could still be in it. I think Anthony and Adam might look a little too old.....and Jesse L Martin is out of the question.

It would probably be wise to cast Jai as Angel because of Queer Eye. I don't see what would be the problem with casting Taye as Benny, he has somewhat of a following. Idina could still be Maureen.

I'm thinking they should cast a big name in the role of Mimi, Roger, or Mark, whichever they could find the best fit for. But I don't think too many stars are necessary. Among teenagers, the show has a pretty big following. I know people who don't give a rat's ass about theatre, but they've seen Rent over 10 times. And if a kid in my high school has ever seen a broadway show, it's Rent. If they own a cast recording, it's rent. For the most part, if the kids in my high school have not seen rent, they want to , but they don't go because of the pricey tickets. I think it has commerical appeal.

I think as a movie, since it will be more accessable, it could do pretty well.

I just hope it's done well. I think it could be a good movie if it is done the right way.

[GirlfriendFromCanada]

Posted: 5/7/04 at 3:44pm

See, of all the OBC, Taye and Jesse are the two that I would say are LEAST out of the question. I feel like Jesse is still within the age range for Collins, especially since Collins can be somewhat older than everyone else. I think that younger actors are much more needed for Mark, Roger and Mimi, and if they are stars, good for them!

[Matt_G]

Posted: 5/7/04 at 3:51pm

All this talk over Timberlake - Did any of you read the article? It said that when Spike Lee was working on it, he auditioned these people. This was a LONG time ago. Nothing in there said that Justin Timberlake or any member of N'Sync was actually attached to the project at this time. I'm sure there will be a lot of interest in this since musicals seem to be the next big thing and this IS one of the most popular musicals of our time. I'm sure that some big names with talent will find their way into it.
I just wonder which role they will give to Nicole Kidman...

[Al Dente]

Posted: 5/7/04 at 3:55pm

Broadwaystar2b, if you re-read my post, you'll see that I was disparaging Hollywoods constant craze towards youth at the sacrifice of artistry HOWEVER, if you think some of the ages YOU posted are right, you're either very misgiuded or naive. I don't believe in outing ages but let's just say you're way off on at least a couple of the actors you mentioned. The sad truth is that no one will go see a movie with all/only musical theater stars in it's cast. The *rest* of the world does not know who these people are, no matter how much *cult status* they have. The bottom line is selling movie tics and none of the OBC has box-office appeal, currently. Updated On: 5/7/04 at 03:55 PM

[Ruffian]

Posted: 5/7/04 at 3:59pm

For sure they will put stars in it, thats just the way it works, no kidding...it's a Business

And no, Raul is not a kid anymore, but since Hollywood doesnt mind other types of incorrect casting, I am all for Raul

At least then one role cast would be talented

After all....think of the ***shudders**** other roles....oh I can't even go there... lmaoooooooooooooo

Since one can bet this movie is a few years off....maybe the Latest-Rage-In-The-Future Will be Cast by then

[Al Dente]

Posted: 5/7/04 at 4:02pm

You can bet on that.

[broadway86]

Posted: 5/7/04 at 4:10pm

If it was up to me, here would be my cast:

Roger - Jeremy Kushnier
Mark - Neil Patrick Harris
Mimi - Beyonce Knowles (in my opinion, she is extremely talented and very sexy. And if Mel B can do it, why not her? She would tear up "Out Tonight".)
Maureen - Brittany Murphy (I've had that idea for over two years now, and I'm glad that others think the same thing)
Angel - Jai Rodriguez
Joanne - Jennifer Hudson Updated On: 5/7/04 at 04:10 PM

[Elphie]

Posted: 5/7/04 at 4:13pm

The first thing that shouted into my mind was NOOOOO!
The RENT score won't be as intimate and personal as it was. Thats why RENT is touching and moving.
If they are going to make a movie, the only good director I can think for it who will make good casting decisions (both stars and Broadway talent) would be Baz Lurhaman. He would have a good vision with RENT. A movie may also save RENT from the rumors of leaving Broadway.

[Ruffian]

Posted: 5/7/04 at 4:17pm

BAZ
BAZ
BAZ

love him

[Karma76]

Posted: 5/7/04 at 4:18pm

Oh god no on Baz! he thinks rent is a copy of his vision anyway so I would HATE to see what he would do with it. whenever Mimi shot up we'd be taking a trip thru her vein like the heroin..haha

[bwaylyric]

Posted: 5/7/04 at 4:19pm

If they want a big star, how about Mimi played by... J-LO!!!

Posted: 5/7/04 at 4:21pm

I love that everyone is talking about GRAMMY AWARD WINNER for BEST MALE VOCALIST and BEST POP ALBUM Justin Timberlake and saying that he can not sing..and that he is talentless...

I assume some of you turn on a TV and are wise enough to know that a Grammy is a VERY IMPORTANT AWARD!

To me, this gives me FULL reign to call Sutton Foster and Karen Ziemba talentless as they have only won ONE TONY award which does not count for much as award shows go anyway..

You people SLAY me! Updated On: 5/7/04 at 04:21 PM

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 5/7/04 at 4:23pm

"The RENT score won't be as intimate and personal as it was."

The RENT score that most every critic and person who didn't like the show has said is way too loud?

(Not that I think its too loud, but I never especially linked RENT with quiet intimacy either.)

[Al Dente]

Posted: 5/7/04 at 4:24pm

Karen Ziemba and Sutton Foster as Maureen and Joanne, respectively, would be brilliant!

Posted: 5/7/04 at 4:26pm

..and might I also add... there is no way that this film will come in for under $60 million, budget wise....(at least 50% of the film will need to be shot outdoors in New York)

Which means, there is NO WAY IN HELL that they will be casting any Broadway related performers in it!

and for that fact ALONE, I can't WAIT till this film opens! Updated On: 5/7/04 at 04:26 PM

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 5/7/04 at 4:29pm

If Zellweger and Kidman aren't, respectively, Maureen and Mimi, I'm not even going to consider going.

I'll just stay home and hug my collection of movie stubs.

[wickedrawbrt]

Posted: 5/7/04 at 4:35pm

Actually they could shoot on sound stages, depends on what the pitch is. My biggest fear is that Columbus is a director for hire, not to say he's any worse than any other director, but that just means the vision will be more Warner Bros. than anything else. We all know how this works, there will be audience testing, reshoots, added material and so on. But get ready folks...there will be untalented stars in this vehicle.

P.S. Just because one has an award doesn't mean they have talent, lest we forget Pia Zadora has a Golden Globe.

Posted: 5/7/04 at 4:37pm

Mark: Jason Mraz
Roger: Justin Timberlake -
Mimi: Beyonce
Maureen: X-TINA! (Imagine her riff on "Oh honey bear, are you still my baby"!)
Joanne: Queen Latifa
Angel: Ashton Kutcher (yes, he can sing)
Tom Collins: USHER!
Benny:Andre 2000