Sweeney Todd, Company, Assassins Film/TV Musicals in the works- Page 2

[PJ]

Posted: 6/23/04 at 7:26pm

In a perfect world, Bernadette would play Mrs. Lovett. But like it's been said, she's not a huge star in Hollywood. Bette could do it, however she'd just ham the hell out of it just as she did with the Gypsy tv movie. Which resulted in a display of horrid, almost laughable acting. I've heard it said on another board and I now like the idea, and that idea is that Meryl Streep could do Mrs. Lovett. She's a name, can sing and can of course act. But...in the long run, I'll be surprised if half of these movies make it out of development.

[Matt_G]

Posted: 6/23/04 at 7:29pm

PJ, you and I are breaking up. Anyone who would say anything bad about Bette is not cool in my book

[Bevan Michael]

Posted: 6/23/04 at 8:32pm

I think that Hello Again would make an excellent art film. The general public would not appreciate it, I imagine, but if it was given a limited release to art houses, I think it could be magical.

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 6/23/04 at 8:48pm

I think Bette Middler would be an AMAZING Mrs. Lovett. Perfect in fact for the film.

Just for the record, Patti LuPone in my opinion was INCREDIBLE with George Hearn. She sang the role twenty times better than Angela and I got more of a kick out of Patti. Her comedic timing was impeccable. I couldn't ask for any more in a Mrs. Lovett.

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 6/23/04 at 8:51pm

I'm split between whether or not I like Angela or Patti better in the role, but I do agree that Lupone's comic timing was impeccable. Especially on the "Good, you got it" line in 'A Little Priest'. Angela didn't get a laugh with that line where as Patti had them howling on.

[magruder]

Posted: 6/23/04 at 9:50pm

How about a Sophie's Choice reunion for Sweeney Todd? Kevin Kline as Sweeney, Meryl Streep as Mrs. Lovett.

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 6/23/04 at 10:38pm

StickToPriest-- Are you sure Lansbury didn't get a laugh with that line because on the DVD you can barely hear the audience? Just wondering, I don't know if you saw it live or not...

Anywho, I don't really think that Into the Woods would work as a movie. How would they film the separate houses and the narrator and the giant scene, to name a few scenes? These things work great on stage, but not on film.

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 6/23/04 at 10:40pm

That's why theatre is superior to cinema!

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 6/23/04 at 10:44pm

You're damn straight. Updated On: 6/23/04 at 10:44 PM

[jo]

Posted: 6/23/04 at 11:13pm

We've not really heard much news on how these previously announced projects are progressing. They are probably waiting for how the movie version of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is received by critics and the box office before proceeding any further.

[Matt_G]

Posted: 6/23/04 at 11:15pm

No, actually most of them were waiting to see how CHICAGO did, that's why there are so many musicals in the planning stages right now. Dont' forget that there are quite a few ORIGINAL movie musicals in the works right now also, a few of which have completed filming and will be released by years end.

[judy_in_disguise]

Posted: 6/23/04 at 11:27pm

Ugh.
Nicole Kidman as Ulla.
Why does God let bad things happen (like Nicole Kidman) to good people (like us!!)???

[Matt_G]

Posted: 6/23/04 at 11:32pm

Wha?? Nicole Kidman will do a good job. The movie needs a huge box office name and Kidman is one of today's biggest stars. Luckilly, she can also sing and dance. The movie stands a much better chance of becoming a hit with her in it. Why don't we all wait to see it before judging.

[jo]

Posted: 6/23/04 at 11:59pm

Nicole is a very fine actress, who can also sing and dance.

I am also looking forward to the movie version of the stage musical, THE PRODUCERS.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 1:01am

Marc Shaiman stated last that while Hairspry's rights have been sold there was no director or cast attacted to the project.
A lot of directors who watched the old film musicals growing up want to show "they can do it TOO" a la Chicago but I really doubt it. Most of them have negligible theatre experince & if u don't know musical staging u are never gonna figure out how to adapt it to film. Marshall came from that background he really just had to learn camera work.

[magruder]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 8:48am

SticktoPriest, on the "Good, you got it" line... The crowd reactions have been softened or edited out completely on the new 5.1 DVD remix of the Lansbury-Hearn Sweeney Todd. On the original tape version, where you can hear the audience, Lansbury gets a big laugh and a smattering of applause on "Good, you've got it..."

[Jon]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 8:55am

There was talk of a COMPANY movie thirty years ago, with Bette Midler as Marta (Another Hundred People)and Carol Burnett as Joanne. Burnett actually sang "Ladies Who Lunch" on her TV show.

My favorite movie rumor was in 1976, when the Harold Prince revival of CANDIDE was a big hit. There was talk of a CANDIDE movie with Elton John as Candide, Olivia Newton-John as Cunegonde, and Peter Sellers as Voltaire/Pangloss/etc.

[fiesta1]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 8:58am

I was fortunately enough to see Lansbury and Hearn in "Sweeney". She was able to capture the humor of the role -- both in Priest and in Parlor Soungs. But I think she was able to capture the pathos of Mrs. Lovett better than LuPone.

I adore Bette, but she is not right for the role.

Since it can take several years for a movie to get backing, movie, etc --- what about Bebe in the role in 5 years or so?

[onlylisab]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 2:35pm

Nicole Kidman CANNOT sing! Ugh! Her voice is flat and weak. They are going to have to alter Ulla's song for her...and that is ridiculous. I am really disappointed in that casting.

I would love to see a film version of Into the Woods and Company. (Do you think we could get Audra and Kristin in there someplace?)

I am welcoming back the movie musical with open arms!

[tpdc]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 4:08pm

Lansbury got a huge laugh live with "Good, you got it" and on the original videotape.

Can Glenn Close sing Mrs. Lovett?

I like the Streep/Kline reteaming idea. I'd also like to see them do A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC.

If they cast a big name as Sweeney, then they could go with Bernadette. How about Hugh Jackman? Isn't Sweeney the natural progression from BOY FROM OZ and X-MEN?

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 4:35pm

Glenn Close???? SACRILEGE!...OY...The woman simply cannot sing well. I love her acting on film- but she was a dreadfull Norma Desmond - yikes!

[Plum]

Posted: 6/24/04 at 5:13pm

I've heard Jackman say he'd like to play Sweeney, but as much as I adore him...I don't think he has the voice for it right now.

That said, his singing has improved considerably with every musical he's done, and he's a tremendous actor. So maybe with more vocal lessons he'd be up to it. Or maybe I'm being influenced by his nasal Peter Allen impression.

Anyway, if it has to be a big name in the title role, I certainly wouldn't mind if it were him.

[im better than th1s]

Posted: 6/25/04 at 12:52pm

I think Glenn Close would be PERFECT for Mrs. Lovett. Even though she may not be able to sing well, Mrs. Lovett is not supposed to floor the audience with her singing. She provides the laughs, and Close could definitely provide the laughs.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 6/25/04 at 1:52pm

Kevin Kline and Emma Thompson in SWEENEY. But please can we get a director with a little more spring in his step than the drearily self-serious Sam Mendes? Spielberg is preferable.

COMPANY and ASSASINS? Never gonna happen.

[Fan2]

Posted: 6/26/04 at 9:53am

Hugh Jackman's name has been dropped for Joe Gillis in the movie version of Sunset Blvd. - he won the Australian Tony Award for playing that role in Australia. How ironic would that be - Liza and Hugh, who played her first husband Peter Allen on stage?