Variety clues us in to Jekyll & Hyde movie frontrunners

[bare_nakedlady]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 9:37am

So I was reading my 'Variety' this week (Dated Jan 30 - Feb 5) and on pg 70 at the bottom of the article about movie musical flops, it says that Jonathan Sanger the producer of Jekyll & Hyde the Movie Musical is looking at Hugh Jackman and Scarlett Johansson as the leads.

I am officially no longer supporting movie musicals. I will be very sad when this artform dies, but if it no longer is an artform should we care?

I'm tired of Hugh he is no Jekyll and certainly no Hyde. Can Scarlet Johansson even sing??
Link to Article

Updated On: 2/2/06 at 09:37 AM

[Fosse76]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 9:55am

So you've seen Hugh Jackman perform this role, have you? It irritates me when people get in a huff over things like this. This shouldn't have even been a Broadway show, let alone be turned into a movie.

[The8re phan]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 9:58am

Hell, even if they cast Pee Wee Herman & Latoya Jackson, this version would be far superior to the horrendous taping they did with David Hasselhoff

Updated On: 2/2/06 at 09:58 AM

[Fan2]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 10:01am

Wasn't Scarlett being considered for The Sound of Music on the West End? Plus there's this from a few days ago.

http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/060127/0107650.html

Film & Television Stars Give Extraordinary Performances on Rhino Records' "Unexpected Dreams"
Friday January 27, 1:00 pm ET

LOS ANGELES, CA--(MARKET WIRE)--Jan 27, 2006 -- Who wouldn't want Hollywood's biggest stars to sing them to sleep? Some of the most surprising voices in Hollywood, accompanied by musicians of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, lend their talents to a new album, "Unexpected Dreams: Songs from the Stars," to be released by Rhino Records on March 28. It's the perfect soundtrack for quiet evenings at home, with your children...or without them.

The CD features 14 spellbinding tunes by composers including Elton John, Billy Joel, Sade, Bob Dylan and Lennon/McCartney, beautifully sung and lushly orchestrated. A portion of the proceeds will benefit "Music Matters," the Los Angeles Philharmonic's music education programs. The album was jointly conceived and produced by Wayne Baruch, Charles F. Gayton and Eric Vetro.

"Unexpected Dreams" includes the following tracks:

-- Scarlett Johansson -- "Summertime" (George & Ira Gershwin)
-- Ewan McGregor -- "The Sweetest Gift" (Sade)
-- Taraji P. Henson -- "In My Daughter's Eyes" (James T. Slater)
-- Jennifer Garner -- "My Heart Is So Full of You" (Frank Loesser)
-- Jeremy Irons -- "To Make You Feel My Love" (Bob Dylan)
-- John Stamos -- "Goodnight My Angel" (Billy Joel)
-- Lucy Lawless -- "Little Child" (Eric Vetro/Alan Rich)
-- Marissa Jaret Winokur -- "The Wish Song" (Eric Vetro/Steven Shore)
-- Eric McCormack -- "The Greatest Discovery" (Elton John/Bernie Taupin)
-- Victor Garber -- "No One Is Alone" (Stephen Sondheim)
-- Julia Louis-Dreyfus -- "The Nightshift" (Brad Hall)
-- Nia Vardalos -- "Golden Slumbers" (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)
-- John C. Reilly -- "Lullaby In Ragtime" (Sylvia Fine)
-- Teri Hatcher -- "Goodnight" (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)

[WildhornFanatic]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 10:35am

SCARLETT?!?!!??!! You've got to be kidding me.

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 10:40am

Scarlett is a pretty smouldering actress, as long as she can sing it, I think she's a good choice.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 10:46am

Hugh Jackman would be an excellent choice for this role. Scarlett...not so sure. She looks the part, but strong singing ability is a must.

[futurebroadwaystar1]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 11:08am

Would Scarlett be Lucy or Emma???

[Enjolras77]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 11:32am

I don't see why Hugh Jackman couldn't handle this role. He has definitely played similar roles to both Jekyll and Hyde. His portrayal of Wolverine defintely include some Hyde-like characteristics. My only concern would be the vocal demands of the role. However, he won't have to sing the role 8 times a week so his voice should be fine during recording. Also, he is already infinitely better than most of the replacement Jekyll/Hydes from Broadway (Hasselhoff anyone?).

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 11:33am

"Also, he is already infinitely better than most of the replacement Jekyll/Hydes from Broadway (Hasselhoff anyone?)."

Rob Evan anyone?

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 11:39am

Yeah...we could all do FAR worse than Hugh Jackman in this role.

[futurebroadwaystar1]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 11:40am

Yes, I would much rather see Hugh Jackman as J&H than a reprise of David Hasselhoff's performance.

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 11:41am

I'd just like to clarify that I believe Hugh could do the role, but that there were some Broadway replacements who did do well (Evan used to get a standing ovation after TITM)

[Plum]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 11:43am

Well, I think he could do better than the material. Anyway, why the heck would Hollywood make a movie of this when movie musicals are already on the edge? Wouldn't they choose something that's actually...oh, I don't know...good and successful?

[futurebroadwaystar1]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 11:51am

I agree...this isn't the best musical to make a movie of right now. Especially since the last two haven't been overly successful.

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 12:03pm

I think they should include everything from the concept recording. I saw it in Denver on the pre-Broadway tour and most if not all of the music from the concept recording was in the show. I think they destroyed it when it went to Broadway. I mean, who's idea was it to take out "Bring on the Men" and replace it with that wretched song? Thank goodness Bring on the men had been put back in by the time the Broadway tour got back to Denver.

Updated On: 2/3/06 at 12:03 PM

[bare_nakedlady]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 12:07pm

uncageg - I totally agree! I treasure the Concept recording. Unfortunatley they think that they need to stunt cast to make the film a hit.

P.S. Please change Emma's name back to Lisa!!

Updated On: 2/2/06 at 12:07 PM

[Enjolras77]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 12:13pm

As I stated in my original post "he is already infinitely better than most of the replacement Jekyll/Hydes from Broadway". I used the word most specifically because of Robert Evan.

[Enjolras77]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 12:18pm

Also...even though Rob Even is considered a "replacement" he was part of the original cast. He played Jekyll/Hyde on Wednesday and Saturday matinees because Cuccioli only did six performances a week.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 12:20pm

Yes, Scarlett sings. She'd be a fine choice (as Lucy)

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 12:22pm

How is Hugh Jackman, an experienced, award-winning, international theatre performer who happens to have become a movie star "stunt casting?"

Or are you talking about Scarlett?

[CapnHook]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 12:53pm

They may be being considered, but the actor's are not attached.

Jackman has been "considered" for everything - Sunset Blvd (which we found out he is NOT in negotiations with) and Jekyll and at one point he was name-dropped for Sweeney Todd, I believe.

The *only* certain thing about Jackman and movie musicals is that he signed a non-exclusive contract with Disney to do two non-original musicals and one original musical for them.

Someone over at the Webber foundation dropped the names of Glenn Close, Ewan McGregor, and Hugh Jackman for SUNSET BLVD. We found out no one except for Close was ever approached. They put the big names out there to draw attention to their project so that other big names will become interested.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 12:59pm

Any news on whom they're considering for the role of Lisa/Emma?

I actually think that Hugh Jackman would be terrific. I know that he's considered for a lot of roles, but that's because he's a big name but also genuinely talented. Maybe it's a little annoying, but I'd rather him than a lot of other big name stars. At least he can really sing!

It's funny that they're doing another movie musical of this... frankly, I think that Hollywood should stop doing movie musicals... but I hope JaH proves me wrong. It's my second favorite musical, after all.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 1:56pm

Interesting.... just remember, this is still in it's embryonic stage. The price tag on this caliber of talent not to mention retooling the entire show, could pay for a small island in the South Pacific.

Yet, I am quite sure it will be necessary to get a mega name at least for Jekyll, who is, after all, the main focus of this baby.

In all honesty, it surely didn't fly with Hasslehoff and I'm not sure that that ghost may not haunt this project regardless who/ what they bring to it. While I hope I am wrong, I wonder how much positive interest this will generate the second time around.

Wishing Frank & co. all the best with this.

[broadwayjules]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 2:22pm

I personally will never be able to handle anyone other than Linda Eder in the role of Lucy. People can speculate all they want about her acting (which I thought was wonderful) But no one could sing the hell out of this role like her! I doubt she'd do it though, she's more about family than fame.

Hugh might be ok, but I didn't think his voice was strong enough for the part. What about Gerard Butler? He was a great phantom.