Zeta-Jones to Star in New Musical "Cleo" as Cleopatra

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 10/25/08 at 1:19pm

I searched and didn't see anything, so.

http://www.etonline.com/news/2008/10/66932/index.html

'Chicago' actress Catherine Zeta-Jones is set to star in a sexy, new musical role!

Catherine has been cast in the musical 'Cleo,' according to the The Hollywood Reporter. Set in the 1920's, 'Cleo' tells the story of real life characters Cleopatra, Antony and Ceasar.

Hugh Jackman is also said to be in negotiations to take a lead role in this feature directed by Steven Soderbergh.

Catherine won an Oscar for her supporting role in her last musical 'Chicago.'

~~

I am still seeing if this is a Broadway musical or a movie-musical. Probably a movie-musical if Hugh Jackman may be in it.

[thevolleyballer]

Posted: 10/25/08 at 1:36pm

It's a film. Reread all the context clues in the article you posted, and you'll come to see why it's very obvious that it's a film.

Also, hysterically enough:

http://defamer.com/5068453/cleo-unites-a+list-talent-for-worlds-finest-bat****-3+d-musical

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/25/08 at 2:05pm

Who is doing the score?

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Posted: 10/25/08 at 2:42pm

[bwayfan9]

Posted: 10/25/08 at 3:39pm

I'll be sure to check it out.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 10/25/08 at 3:56pm

I smell a Razzie...

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 10/25/08 at 4:08pm

Interesting, given that apparently, the real Cleopatra looked like this (except not metal and two-dimensional):

[B3TA07]

Posted: 10/25/08 at 4:09pm

Dreamgirls much?

[JP2]

Posted: 10/25/08 at 4:21pm

I am morbidly curious!

[Patash]

Posted: 10/25/08 at 4:40pm

Always better to be morbidly curious, than curiously morbid!

[stagescreen]

Posted: 10/25/08 at 5:10pm

Nefertiti? Egypt is Egypt Again?

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Posted: 10/25/08 at 5:20pm

Dont you just love that chorus line!

Haha! I was given a copy of 'Nefertiti' a few weeks ago and I really enjoyed it!

Updated On: 10/25/08 at 05:20 PM

[BrianIdol]

Posted: 10/25/08 at 5:51pm

It's set in the 1920's??? Wierd. She just can't get out of that decade.

[jo]

Posted: 10/25/08 at 8:32pm

Catherine and Hugh are hosting a charity event for the movie industry in November. Maybe they will compare notes on what they think of this concept - a live action 3D rock musical based on Cleopatra but set in the 1920's.

Sorry, but does anybody know what a live action musical is? Is it going to be a live stage musical which is filmed for screen release? Just like how many concerts are treated these days.

Otherwise, that is the only way I can imagine how a budget of $30 million would be enough for a movie musical, especially given the proposed leads. That amount would probably be sufficient for a stage musical ( with its less expensive sets and filming pace), which can be filmed several times and the best versions of scenes can make up the final product.

The other interesting thing is that it is famed Hollywood director Steven Soderbergh ( Sex,Lies, etc/Ocean 11 etc/Traffic/ Che) who is proposing the project.

Of course the more exciting aspect of this project ( if it happens) is the perfect pairing of Hugh and Catherine ( looks and musical theatre talent)! If not for this project, maybe for another movie musical??

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 10/25/08 at 9:22pm

Live action means its not animated.

Akiva

[bwayfan9]

Posted: 10/25/08 at 11:53pm

Jo,

stop telling everyone obama is a socialist and will raise your taxes. He is not a socialist and you will get a tax CUT

[jo]

Posted: 10/26/08 at 8:49am

>>>Jo,

stop telling everyone obama is a socialist and will raise your taxes. He is not a socialist and you will get a tax CUT<<<


I am neither an American nor a resident of the USA. Take your campaign message somewhere else - LOL!



Updated On: 10/26/08 at 08:49 AM

[Fan2]

Posted: 10/30/08 at 9:35am

Sounds like it's happening with Catherine and Hugh in the spring:

>>>Steven Soderbergh Talks Cleo Musical
Exclusive: Latest on his ambitious next
Source: Empire

Steven Soderbergh was in town this week to promote Che, his four-hour, two-part biopic of Che Guevara. All very serious stuff - but when Empire spoke to him at the Times BFI London Film Festival, we had to had to HAD TO ask him about the freshly-announced and wonderfully bizarre news that he's set to direct a 3D rock musical called Cleo, starring Hugh Jackman as Mark Antony and Catherine Zeta-Jones as Cleopatra.

“I've wanted to do a musical my whole career,” said Soderbergh, who's done just about everything else as a director. “I've been developing this on my own quietly, and I'm hoping to get it together for next Spring.”

Soderbergh is clearly delighted to have secured the services of Zeta-Jones (with whom he's worked before, on Traffic and Ocean's Twelve) and Jackman as his leads. After all, they have a background in musicals, and Zeta-Jones' Oscar came, of course, for Chicago. “They've got great voices,” said Soderbergh. “I've seen them live and they're amazing. Now we need a Caesar.”

That, history fans, means Caesar Octavian, the ruler determined to put Cleo and Mark Ant. in their place during their later years, rather than Julius, who famously dallied with Cleopatra in her younger days and would presumably appear in flashbacks at most in this story.

Either way, it's clear to see that Soderbergh is relishing the challenge of putting together the musical, which will be soundtracked by Guided By Voices. And, even though the story of Antony & Cleopatra ends in tragedy and asp-assisted suicide, this won't be as heavy as some of Soderbergh's output. “It's supposed to be fun – you're supposed to have a real good time,” he said. “I'm really excited about it.”

You and us both, sir. You and us both.


Empire Magazine

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/30/08 at 9:49am

Good god. A '20s, Rock & Roll Cleopatra?

Sounds more like a new video game than a musical.

But I'm "morbidly curious" too.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 10/30/08 at 10:04am

"Of course the more exciting aspect of this project ( if it happens) is the perfect pairing of Hugh and Catherine ( looks and musical theatre talent)! If not for this project, maybe for another movie musical??" --- jo

I agree

But... add my name to the "morbidly curious" list

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 10/30/08 at 10:05am

shades of Deena Jones...."tell me, Zeta-Jones, who does it FEEL *bum bum*"

Updated On: 10/30/08 at 10:05 AM

[jo]

Posted: 10/30/08 at 11:12am

It looks like Hugh will be multi-tasking next spring - promoting the action movie WOLVERINE and working on this musical project. What a change of pace!

[Brick]

Posted: 10/30/08 at 12:45pm

And 3-D? Really?

Who gave this the green-light?

[Tkt2Ride]

Posted: 11/1/08 at 7:43am

Sounds bizarre to me? Though these are both great Entertainers so even as a flop, it going to get attention. Hopefully it won't be one of those, "they are great performers but what is this?", kind of Movie.

I was liking the, "Cleopatra Jones" angle a lot more.

[jo]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 8:03am

Soderbergh says he is also inspired by the movie GILDA ( with Rita Hayworth) in his version of the Cleopatra story. He plans to start filming in April 2009.

http://weblogs.variety.com/thompsononhollywood/2008/11/soderbergh-che.html


>> He said his inspiration for the 3D musical was Rita Hayworth as Gilda. That's the stylized, ripe tone he's going for, he said. <<<



Updated On: 11/4/08 at 08:03 AM