Sunset Blvd Movie Adaptation Casting Ideas- Page 2

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 3/5/19 at 10:43pm

Probably not famous enough, but Jason Danieley as Max, Betsy Wolfe as Betty, and I really like the idea of Chris doppooppolous(lmao) as Joe

[Dave28282]

Posted: 3/6/19 at 4:25pm

I love the idea of James Marsden as Joe.

It would also be interesting to see Anthony Warlow as Max.

[dfrillsnedit]

Posted: 3/6/19 at 4:47pm

Damiensta said: "Javier Bardem as Max.
Someone unexpected"

If he has any singing ability, that's a big *DING DING DING* from me. I LOVE him, and I could totally see him playing a failing movie director. 

[dfrillsnedit]

Posted: 3/6/19 at 4:51pm

Scarlet Leigh said: "Re: Ages. As others have mentioned, though Betty's age is specifically mentioned in the musical as 22, I could see them aging all the characters up by 10 years to accomodate Close's age compared to Norma's. Close could read 60 still but no way she can read 50. So if they age up Norma to 60, perhaps Joe could be in his mid early to mid 30s and Betty in her mid to late 20s.

That all being said, and knowing that they are going to try to Oscar bait the heck outta this one....

Joe: Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Pine, or Joseph Leonard Gordon-Levitt.

Betty: Lily Collins is really the ideal one in my book but.... if they REALLY want to Oscar bait it to the MAX... Emma Stone. Really NOT ideal in my book but I could see it happen."

I really dig these choices! I've seen a few people mention JGL, and though I love him, there's something about him appearing a tad "short" to me on screen that doesn't make me see him as a Joe. BUT, he has surprised me again, and again, and infinity over, so I'm sure he'd be great. 

And I thought the same thing with Emma Stone, but I feel like she'd definitely be the safe choice. 

[Dave28282]

Posted: 3/6/19 at 5:06pm

dfrillsnedit said: "Damiensta said: "Javier Bardem as Max.
Someone unexpected"

If he has any singing ability, that's a big *DING DING DING* from me. I LOVE him, and I could totally see him playing a failing movie director."

Well, I surely hope the chosen performer can sing, because Max has to sing "The greatest star of all" which is not an easy task.

[SweetLips22]

Posted: 3/6/19 at 5:32pm

We have a black and white SB, a fictitious tale of a career gone bust. There is a technicolor stage version recreating the B&W film.

As I previously mentioned, in the original film, all the actors appeared 'ageless', due to the format and the formality of the acting and their clothing.

The stage it is easier to overlook an actor who is numerically too old for the part as there are no close-ups and surgery helps.

The movie camera lens can be cruel[without vaseline]so for this movie adaption to work, the age appearances are crucial--no saying he/she looks good for 70 they could be 60.

I do not like Glen Close, at all, but if she is to play Norma as a silent screen Goddess, then she should be 70. Max the same age, Joe mid 30s and Betty, 28-32ish.

If Ruth Gordon had sung, what a demented Norma she would have been[or Ruth Buzzi or Madelaine Kahn--let's go crazy here].

[dfrillsnedit]

Posted: 3/6/19 at 5:49pm

Dave28282 said: "dfrillsnedit said: "Damiensta said: "Javier Bardem as Max.
Someone unexpected"

If he has any singing ability, that's a big *DING DING DING* from me. I LOVE him, and I could totally see him playing a failing movie director."

Well, I surely hope the chosen performer can sing, because Max has to sing "The greatest star of all" which is not an easy task."

My biggest issue with coming up with my dream "Max" is I don't know that many "mainstream/box office" actors of that general mid-age group that can sing and also happen to have super, Max-level deep voices. If this was just a straight non musical remake of the original film sans the music, Javier would be perfect. But I have yet to look up if he has even legitimately sang before - because that's one of the best songs in the show imo, and I don't want to have another Russell Crowe in Les Miz situation. 

[bwayobsessed]

Posted: 3/6/19 at 7:44pm

Brian Stokes Mitchell I feel would be an enchanting Max.

I have a hard time thinking of any truly mainstream person who’d really knock it out.

[bwayobsessed]

Posted: 3/6/19 at 7:44pm

Brian Stokes Mitchell I feel would be an enchanting Max.

I have a hard time thinking of any truly mainstream person who’d really knock it out.

[Scarlet Leigh]

Posted: 3/6/19 at 8:02pm

dfrillsnedit said: "I really dig these choices! I've seen a few people mention JGL, and though I love him, there's something about him appearing a tad "short" to me on screen that doesn't make me see him as a Joe. BUT, he has surprised me again, and again, and infinity over, so I'm sure he'd be great.

And I thought the same thing with Emma Stone, but I feel like she'd definitely be the safe choice."

That's the magic of movies. They have ways of making it work. I recall (perhaps from the commentary track of Xmen) talk about how Famke Janssen TOWERED over James Marsden in real life to the point that in a scene where they walked beside one another, he was walking down a makeshift runway of boxes to appear taller then her. Movie magic. 

[jo]

Posted: 3/6/19 at 8:37pm

Lol to that! It was also amusing to read that since the character of Wolverine was supposed to be only around 5'3' in height, they had to ask Hugh Jackman ( 6' 2"  tall) to walk with knees bent or in ditches in some scenes... or other actors like James Marsden to walk on boxes... to make it appear more faithful to the comicbook characterization.  

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 3/6/19 at 8:42pm

I don’t think we know that the film is going to be made in color. I mean I would presume so but we don’t know that.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 3/6/19 at 11:37pm

I really like the idea of Chris Pine, but wonder whether (if it really happens) whether he is too young for Close.  Where does the 'yuk' factor kick in?  With a little more back-story, couldn't they explain why Joe is almost 50 (could he also be a has-been?) and cast a Jackman or maybe a Patrick Wilson, who is at least mid-forties?  

I imagine there must be some other handsome actors who can sing and are in their mid-to-late forties, who I am not remembering right this minute.  Let's face it, the stage is more forgiving re age differences.  On a large movie screen, Close and Pine would be gross IMO, although I would be on  line to see it on day 1 of release.

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 3/6/19 at 11:53pm

For the movie to work at all, the filmmakers have to be able to suspend the audiences belief that Close is her actual age. In this story, Close is playing a woman in her earlyt 50s. Period. The pure historical fact that film didn’t become popular entertainment until the 1910s dictates this. Unless they change the year the story is set in, Norma Desmond is 50ish.

I frankly think everyone is likely making too big a deal of Close’s actual age. Its not a stretch to believe that they mitght convincingly make her look like a women in her 50s as women of that age looked at that time. Women in their 50s then easily looked like women in their sixties now. And Close does look good for her age.

The right age for Joe Gillis is an actor in his 30s. The romance is supposed to seem creepy. Chris Pine is almost 40. Age wise he is fine to play opposite Close in this story.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 3/6/19 at 11:59pm

QueenAlice said: "For the movie to work at all, the filmmakers have to be able to suspend the audiences belief that Close is her actual age. In this story, Close is playing a woman in her earlyt 50s. Period. The pure historical fact that film didn’t become popular entertainment until the 1910s dictates this. Unless they change the year the story is set in, Norma Desmond is 50ish.

I frankly think everyone is likely making too big a deal of Close’s actual age. Its not a stretch to believe that they mitght convincingly make her look like a women in her 50s as women of that age looked at that time. Women in their 50s then easily looked like women in their sixties now. And Close does look good for her age.

The right age for Joe Gillis is an actor in his 30s. The romance is supposed to seem creepy. Chris Pine is almost 40. Age wise he is fine to play opposite Close in this story."

 

I think you have built a very convincing argument, and I do think Pine could be excellent in the role.  While I still don't think this will ever be made with Close-- unless someone can figure out how to do it on an M.Night Shamalan (sic) type of budget -- I really would love to see it filmed.  

How about Kevin Kline for Max?  

[Niles Silvers]

Posted: 3/7/19 at 2:41am

I'm sure he wouldn't do it, but I would kill to see Anthony Hopkins as Max working opposite Close.  

[Jarethan]

Posted: 3/7/19 at 5:45pm

My initial reaction was I wonder he can carry a tune (probably more than that, given Max's songs), because it seemed like a great idea; then I though that, if they are going to try to make her seem younger, will they have to address the fact that he is so much older than her, like 30 years or so.  Then I thought that it took place in 19650's Hollywood, and there were probably plenty of May - December marriages and romances.  If he can sing (I guess they could dub him if he can't), I think he would be a great choice.  Think of his performance in Remains of the Day.  Perfect.

[Tink2]

Posted: 3/7/19 at 7:08pm

I can see Chris Pine, Patrick Wilson or Luke Evans as Joe. Chris is preferred choice.

Betty is more difficult. Perhaps Anne Hathaway. Maybe an up and coming Broadway actress.

My first choice for Max is Ciaran Hinds. He has done Assassins and POTO movie. Phenomenal speaking voice. The right age for Glenn. Second choice would be Kevin Kline if it is in his range.

[quizking101]

Posted: 3/7/19 at 8:47pm

If we are aiming toward younger, I feel like if Taron Egereton knocks out his role as Elton John, he could very well be cast in this

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 3/8/19 at 2:02am

I like the idea of Victor Garber as Max. The operatic, deep voiced, creepy approach to the role works well onstage, but it would be a bit too much on screen. Max is authoritative but ultimately a very sad character, and Victor Garber has the kind of vibe that would work well in a film version.

I agree that Chris Pine is perfect for Joe.

[Dave28282]

Posted: 3/8/19 at 4:58am

Jarethan said: "While I still don't think this will ever be made with Close-- unless someone can figure out how to do it on an M.Night Shamalan (sic) type of budget -- I really would love to see it filmed."

My biggest concerns with this project are that filmmakers today have no idea how to translate this artform and language to screen. In Sunset Boulevard all the solo songs are very non-literal, it is a sung thought, like a videoclip in their mind. There is also a lot of sung dialogue which constantly switches between inner talk and conversation. It either represents their thoughts without actually hearing eachother, or an actual conversation and they switch just like that all the time, which makes it so great. All 3 examples ask for a very non-literal world because it is a beautiful imaginary dance with the thoughts and the language. 

Now, film doesn't have to be literal, but filmmakers are often intimidated by this language and make the mistake that as real and raw as possible works with this artform. It does not. Only with crying scenes.

There are great ways to enhance this non-literal world, such as pre-recorded tracks, use music as a voice over at times, filmic editing, non-literal sets, lighting, sung notes that take you on a journey, not apologizing for the language by making it standard dialogue voice, etc.

So I have a feeling that there is a danger that the director can't get the original film out of his mind, which is very literal, and that we end up with a normal film scene, in a literal house, where Joe and Norma sit on the couch, sing/bleating live in eachother's face. And then asking audiences to pretend it's all so raw and real. Well, sing/bleating in eachother's face is not. So the scene will never work that way on screen.

This makes me wonder if it hadn't been better if a stage performance was filmed, which is a non-literal world per definition which perfectly matches the chosen language. But then again, the last version was with Glenn Close, who doesn't master the craft of acting through song at all (she acts in spite of the struggle with notes), which also makes it very insincere.

Lots of pitfalls here. 

 

Updated On: 3/8/19 at 04:58 AM

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 3/8/19 at 9:48am

If they cast a "name" for Max, wouldn't that run the risk of it being a bit too spoilerish? In case there are people who will watch it who are unfamiliar with the material? I guess the people who would be most inclined to watch this would already be familiar with it, so I guess it's a non-issue.

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 3/8/19 at 10:52am

ScottyDoesn'tKnow2 said: "If they cast a "name" for Max, wouldn't that run the risk of it being a bit too spoilerish?"

Why would that be a spoiler? We live in an era of starry ensembles, where superhero movies have 6+ names billed above the title. And if they can't get a major name for Joe, then Max is the best opportunity to cast someone semi-notable. 

[Lot666]

Posted: 3/11/19 at 12:38pm

I'd like to hear Norm Lewis sing "The Greatest Star of All".

[Lot666]

Posted: 3/11/19 at 12:38pm

dfrillsnedit said: "I don't want to have another Russell Crowe in Les Miz situation."

Please, no.