Universal, Barbra Streisand And Joel Silver Tap Julian Fellowes To Script ‘Gypsy’ — Page 2

It is laughable how many people keep referring to Laurents's death being some kind of facilitator of this film being made. It was green-lit and first developed when he was still alive, and if he didn't want it to happen, it never would have happened. End of story.

In a NY Times article that addressed the possibility of Streisand being too old to play Rose, Laurents said, “First of all, they can do magic in Hollywood. Second, does it really matter?”

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Is this all going to be a flash back, like AMADEAUS, with someone younger playing Mama Rose, because,

BARBRA IS TOO DAMNED OLD FOR THE ROLE, PERIOD!

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Maybe they'll go ahead and use the same computer software Disney used to make Jeff Bridges look younger in Tron Legacy and erase all the wrinkles.

"Maybe they'll go ahead and use the same computer software Disney used to make Jeff Bridges look younger in Tron Legacy and erase all the wrinkles."

Yes, I've said this countless times on this board.

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But wouldn't that become a moot point if Streisand is still playing Rose for the scenes within the framing device, Michael Bennett?

I know I'm in the minority, but I say they need to just go with it. This is one of the greatest performers of all time playing one of the greatest roles of all time. Is it a stretch? Beyond. But are audiences going to be willing to suspend their disbelief? Absolutely.

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Somethingwicked: "But are audiences going to be willing to suspend their disbelief? Absolutely."

Not according to this thread -- and this one is made up of many hardcore musical theatre queens! Many of us just ain't buyin' it.

Updated On: 3/13/12 at 08:36 PM

I wonder if the Laurent's estate will allow them to alter the original script.

If I remember correctly, the Bette Midler version was contractually bound to film the play as written and not add new scenes or alter dialogue.

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Updated On: 3/13/12 at 08:42 PM

I can suspend my belief, many children are given to grandparents due to their parents issues today, and given that people often apply, rather falsely or not is for another debate, contemporary standards to period pieces. So i think she mit be okay.

I wonder if they plan on using the original happy ending where Rose and Louise reconcile or the unhappy ending where Louise laughs at Rose's dream and then the light marquee with Rose's name disappears.

ETA: I am sure there are many people who also want Taylor Swift to stay waay from this film and not play June or Lousie.

Updated On: 3/13/12 at 10:07 PM

I think the likelihood of Streisand looking younger than her age are probably good- in the spirit of the show being a musical "fable" I'm willing to give Streisand the benefit of the doubt that they may figure out a way to make her age completely secondary to what I'm sure they hope will be a performance to justify the film being made-- I do know some pretty impressive people are circling the project and don't think they would be if they thought they might come away looking foolish for being involved.

She's only been on screen three times in the last 20 years - and two of the movies were as Roz Focker. She hasn't performed in a film musical for almost 30 yrs - Yentl 1983. And now, at this late date, she wants to film possibly the greatest stage role in possibly the greatest stage musical ever written. Oh, and she turns 70 in April. Has everyone on the West coast, Ms. Streisand AND Universal included, gone mad?

In addition to what Michael Bennett said, redmustang, you're leaving out what Pete Hammond was talking about in the Deadline piece- Streisand has her first starring role in a movie in almost two decades coming out this year in THE GUILT TRIP opposite Seth Rogen, which has the potential to be a sleeper hit. It was slated to be released this month and the buzz on it has been so good that the studio pushed it back to a prime release date in November, so the timing for her to be making a more prominent return to the spotlight is actually pretty perfect.

Also, it's not as if she hasn't been able to get big roles in big movies for all this time. She hasn't wanted to. Those are two very different things. Take a look at the grosses for her last world tour before you start doubting the power of her celebrity. Streisand's name still packs a punch, and those who are skeptical of her casting will be just as quick to see this movie as those who are excited about it. This is a legend taking on legendary material, and it's an "event" no matter how you slice it.

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Updated On: 3/13/12 at 11:16 PM

Streisand playing Rose -- as originally conceived and written -- is about as plausible at this point in time as Sarah Palin becoming our next POTUS