Thomas Kail, For Some Reason, Is Remaking FIDDLER ON THE ROOF — Page 2

MichelleCraig said: "Globefan wrote: I think he could do it right

I can't imagine improving upon Norman Jewison's movie adaptation. Curious as to what Globefanfelt was done wrong in the 1971version..."

I love the film, but they took out a LOT of the humor in the earlier part of the story which took away some of the feeling of devastation in the second part. The beautiful emotional roller coaster effect, I call it, that is so artfully written into the stage version.

BwayLB said: "I have not seen Fiddler on the Roof before but I’m intrigued by Kail directing this since In the Heights was a Latino Fiddler on the Roof. Makes sense to me"

Wait... WHAT? Thank you for this revelation

BwayLB said: "I have not seen Fiddler on the Roof before but I’m intrigued by Kail directing this since In the Heights was a Latino Fiddler on the Roof. Makes sense to me"


OK I’m gonna need you to really break this one down for me and please explain it like I’m a five year old.

This is happy news. In today's world, we need all the happy news we can get.

The more I think about it, the more I'm wondering if this will be some rebooted/updated modern spin with a diverse cast (as terrible as that sounds). What other reason would there be to remake this film?

uncageg said: "Any thoughtson who will be the choreographer?"

I'd love to see Hofesh Schechter return to it. His choreography was by far my favorite aspect of the recent Broadway revival.

But it'll probably be Blankenbuehler, lol

I agree that the choreography in the most recent revival was gorgeous. I also second whoever suggested Mandy Patinkin. Based on the quarantine home videos that he posts of himself and his Golde eating matzah, he's basically already prepping for the role.

I sincerely hope that this is not a modern or multicultural version of the story. The story is about one group of people, and the plot is universal enough that all can relate to it no matter their background. And it shouldn't be modern, Yes, there's still prejudice, but again, this is something we can connect on our own. It doesn't need to be spelled out for us. I'm cautiously optimistic about the future of this.

ggersten said: "I dont think people were asking fir a new West Side Story film, but we are getting one."

At least with WSS -- at least as advertised -- Spielberg is saying that he is going for a more realistic approach. Only time will tell. I admit to being probably one of the only people who has never liked the movie version of WSS (I first saw it in 1962, and have seen it at least once every decade since then). I hated all the artificial sets, and just can't get into the stylized Jets and Sharks. I have the same issue with the show, but not as badly, because I don't need the stage version to be realistic. That is one of the benefits of theatre.

I may be in the minority here, but I think the movie has not aged well. IMO the Fiddler movie is timeless.

This could work, I liked what the director and writer did with Fosse/Verdon and while I think the original Fiddler on The Roof film is near perfect, I wouldn't mind another film version of the musical. Also in response, I think it wasn't so much "realism" that Spielberg is going for but rather a better authentic representation to the Puerto Rican characters and with the YT footage of the film's shoot, it's telling me that with Justin Peck's choreography the idea of realism is thrown out the window.

But as Jarethan said, only time will tell. Also I stan for Mandy Patinkin as Tevye and Hofesh Shechter to do the choreography.

HogansHero said: "I will never live long enough to understand why so many people here get so exercised about new versions of old things. What is the threat? What is the fear? If you don't like it, you don't like it. If you are SURE you won't like it, stay home. Artists create and their audiences either like what they create or don't. Sit back and think about what some of you are saying. Oh! the horror!"

I for one am not exorcised. I just think there may are other properties that might benefit more from being remade, since the original film is near perfect. It is not iike we get several major musicals a year. Unless I am mistaken, I assume we are averaging 1 or maybe 1.5 a year. Given that scarcity, I would just prefer a property which ended up being a lousy film the first time around. So, I would prefer a remake of A Little Night Music or Mame or even Oklahoma (more like the Fish version) to a remake of Fiddler. Pure numbers. I'll bet a lot of the other people questioning this are of the same point of view.

And, as I said, I will be there with my admission money when the movie is released.

Updated On: 5/28/20 at 09:20 PM

Adding on to what Hogan said, the cream rises to the top. Anyone remember the Jessica Lange film of Streetcar? The BBC film of Suddenly, Last Summer? Luckily, Vivian Leigh and Elizabeth Taylor's brilliant performances in the original version of each respective film are readily available, and often re-broadcast on cable. And each film only shines better when compared with any successor. Although it is surely blasphemous to say now, I'm sure Natalie Wood's Maria will be in my head when seeing the new West Side Story! (And how will they make the dancing more "realistic"? )

To play devil's advocate, I understand being so uninterested that you are annoyed that news on the new films will eat up precious oxygen - particularly on these boards. Personally, I haven't been totally impressed with a major motion picture film since Chicago. Even the better attempts (Into the Woods) leave much to be desired. The film aesthetic of the 50s - 70s really were the most beneficial to musical & play adaptation.

I wouldn't call this a remake. It's a new movie adaptation of the Broadway musical. There can be multiple versions of the same story, just like there are multiple film adaptations of Little Women and Emma, and multiple revivals of Gypsy. Just because there's already a successful West Side Story or Fiddler on the Roof movie adaptation does not mean there can't be more. Hollywood tells the same stories because they are successful and can turn a profit. Sure they can take risks, but taking risks sometimes does not equal rewards. I wouldn't be surprised if there's a new Annie movie down the line or even another adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.

I mean that I feel he can do a great film adaptation, but I think Show Boat would be a better use of his talents.

Updated On: 5/28/20 at 10:45 PM