Sunset Boulevard: The Movie

[cturtle]

Posted: 1/4/05 at 8:58pm

am i the only one who thinks BARBRA STREISAND *COULD* be a fabulous NORMA DESMOND in a film version of SUNSET BOULEVARD?

IF ...

1) they hired a director who can REALLY direct (someone like SAM MENDES, for example)

2) BARBRA actually TOOK direction, without trying to do her OWN thing (is this even possible?)

3) BARBRA sang the songs AS WRITTEN (is THIS possible?)

4) they cast an actor as JOE who had some genuine screen chemistry with BARBRA (this IS possible, but may be tricky)

personally, i'd LOVE to see a film version, and i'd LOVE to see BABS in it! IF all the right pieces could come together ...

[Matt_G]

Posted: 1/4/05 at 9:00pm

I've been saying this for a while, also. Liza was in talks to do it but now that she made a bumpy on her heady she might not be able to anymore.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 1/4/05 at 9:06pm

Over on the West End Board they were discussing Anthony Hopkins and Hugh Jackman starring. Also that they were trying to entice Glenn Close to do it.

[cturtle]

Posted: 1/4/05 at 9:10pm

BARBRA without an A, not LIZA with a Z!

JACKMAN would be a fine JOE. and TONY HOPKINS would be brilliant as MAX! (i'm ashamed i didn't think of that myself.) but from the clips i've seen, i do NOT like GLENN CLOSE in this role!

Updated On: 1/4/05 at 09:10 PM

[jackson992]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 4:46am

I didn't realize Hopkins could sing.

[jo]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 7:01am

This was what I posted a few weeks ago on the West End board, from an item in a London newspaper --

Copyright 2004 Associated Newspapers Ltd.
Mail on Sunday (London)

December 12, 2004
SECTION: FB; Pg. 20
LENGTH: 1505 words
HEADLINE: William: It's over for good, Kate
BYLINE: KATIE NICHOLL

"... NEVER one to miss a trick, I hear Andrew Lloyd Webber is already planning his next musical movie following the success of Phantom Of The Opera.

The musical maestro has signed actors Anthony Hopkins and Hugh
Jackman for Sunset Boulevard and is trying to convince Glenn Close, who played fictional screen legend Norma Desmond in the Broadway hit, to reprise the role.

'Andrew is trying to persuade Glenn to play the part again.
He's also in talks with Meryl Streep. My bet is he'll go with Glenn if he can convince her to do
it,' said a source..."


*****************

I personally would like to see Barbra in the role. She was the first one to have recorded WITH ONE LOOK and AS IF WE NEVER SAID GOODBYE, even ahead of Patti Lupone. Perhaps, after the success of MEET THE FOCKERS at the box office, she may want to revive talks with ALW to do the film project ( wasn't this rumoured before?). Also, there seemed to be no reports of any on-the-set demands/tantrums for MEET THE FOCKERS.

I have recently read that Anthony Hopkins is also musically gifted and plays a musical instrument well. It was said that he was planning to spend some time on his music in the near future. I haven't heard about his singing ability, though - but he is a very fine actor and could probably tackle the singing requirements equally well.

And, of course, I am all for Hugh Jackman in the Joe Gillis role! He has the right look for the role and he is a fine actor. I have seen him singing some of the songs from documentaries on and TV appearances for SUNSET BOULEVARD - and he did a wonderful job with the songs. He could even hum SURRENDER in its entirety. And even the recitatives sounded great

[Fan2]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 7:02am

Hugh Jackman played Joe Gillis in Australia and won the Variety Club and MO Awards for Musical Theater Performer of the Year for it. Unfortunately, there was never a cast recording done of this show. I would LOVE to see him doing this on the big screen!!! Hugh did say in a recent interview that he has spoke to Andrew Lloyd Webber about it. There are pictures of Hugh as Joe Gillis at www.jackmanslanding.com under "Gallery" and then "Film/Stage/TV." I think I also read recently somewhere that Glenn Close has an option to do this through 2006 but I think these are all rumors at the moment.

[Jon]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 7:14am

Why don't people realize something - there already is a film version of SUNSET BOULEVARD. It's considered a classic.

What's next - a movie version of APPLAUSE?

Hey - while were making movie versions of crappy stage adaptations of Bily Wilder classics, why not do SUGAR? Or PROMISES, PROMISES? I'm sure someone like Matthew Broderick can be better than Jack Lemmon was!

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 7:49am

There are also film versions of The Philadelphia Story and High Society. Two different versions of the same classic story and guess what? The world did not end. The same can be said of State Fair and My Sister Eileen (and they *gasp* used the same title).

For Sunset Boulevard, I really hope they don't use Glenn or Barbra. Glenn will camp it up and Barbra will simply be Barbra. Liza would not be a bad choice. She's pretty much typcast in the role. I wish they would get Betty Buckley, but I know she's not a big enough star for Hollywood. If Chicago was truly a cinematic anomoly, then I have faith Hollywood will screw this project up pretty well. Maybe they'll get Hilary Duff or Mandy Moore to play Norma. Or better yet, an expressionless young no-name who has no vocal power.

Updated On: 1/5/05 at 07:49 AM

[wildcat]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 8:14am

No no no no no no....
Diana Ross and Macauley Culkin!
(And Jon, they'll get Matthew Broderick for Max)

[Unknown User]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 8:48am

I think Glen would be perfect... I've seen the show with five of the leading ladies and Glen by far was the most convincing. Granted she does not have the best voice, but she was the most passionate with this role. It is a very difficult task to have an audience actually routing for this monster of a character.

[mcphan19]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 9:18am

I don't really have a problem with Barbara being Norma, nor with Glenn, but PLEASE not Liza! On my short list of other actress who should be Norma include Betty Buckley, Elaine Paige, Petula Clark (even though it took a while for me to get used to her voice)and Faith Brown (who was in the UK Tour - I bought the CD single and she is awesome!) If the rumors that Hugh Jackman and Anthony Hopkins is true, then I think casting any of the women on my short list can be possible (Hugh Jackman being the bankable name a movie musical needs)

just my thoughts

Jen

[Unknown User]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 9:24am

I say let Anthony play Norma.

[Carl Magnum]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 10:09am

The rumors that I heard is that Babs was offered the part but demanded 100% creative control over the role and the film and rightfully so ALW wouldn't give it to her. I heard his list for Normas was Babs, Liza and Bette. And as much as I love Bette, i fear she would make it too campy. I would love to see Liza do it, it would be so insane. I would have to do copius drugs to see it and I would, several times.

[Jon]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 11:50am

I would hardly put any of the three film versions of STATE FAIR in the same league as SUNSET BOULEVARD.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 11:54am

As Barbra claims every time she is offered an age-appropriate part "She's far too young to play THAT role..."

As for Liza, gosh, that makes me go all goosebumpy...Does anyone really think Bette could do this? She hasn't done a decent straight dramatic role since the Rose.

I think Liza is an inspired choice-- but could she survive? Could she even get insurance in this day & age?

As long as I'm entertaining wild ideas, let's get Tim Conway, Harvey Korman and Carol Burnette before it's too late.....

[Matt_G]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 11:55am

Oh, I love Bette to death but I can't see her as Norma. And while Glenn Close wasn't my favorite Norma (thank you Elaine Paige) I think she would be fine if chosen play the role on film.

[scotty]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 11:56am

I would love to see a remake of the film. I do not look forward to hearing 'miss close' sing, but by the sounds of things she can ACT the role.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 12:02pm

acting is the key here...

[lildogs]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 2:09pm

yeah, i really don't think Barbra is the one--i really lost a great deal of respect for her after i saw her on Inside The Actor's Studio...she's about as spontaneous as a GWBush Press COnference...and unless Phantom makes ALOT more money, i think the prospects of a film of SB are slim...though Meryl or Glenn would be great!

[Carl Magnum]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 5:21pm

I fear that even though Bette would do her absolute best it would make it look like Carol Burnette playing Scarlett. I love Bette and Rose was amazing but I just don't know if anyone could take her seriously in the role. If Liza did it Tim Burton should direct. (Kidding, but what an interesting combo)

[cturtle]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 7:03pm

thanks for all your posts! they've been fun to read. the best suggested cast so far is BURNETT, KORMAN, and CONWAY

NORA cries: max! max! where are you max?!

[logan30]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 9:06pm

If Close doesn't do it then Streep should. Hugh Jackman would be the perfect Joe.

[cturtle]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 9:07pm

if LIZA plays NORMA, they'll have to change some of the lines. for example:

NORMA: this woman has done wonders with the line of my throat.
JOE: good.
NORMA: and i've lost 20 pounds since tuesday.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 9:15pm

What's the point? No matter who stars or directs it critics as well as people on this board will complain because ALW's name is attatched to it. Oh, and by the way LOVE LOVE LOVE the Billy Wilder version. PERFECTION!!!!