Film Bloggers Weigh In on Jon Favreau’s Open Call for Jersey Boys Film! What Do You Think?
August 18th, 2012
About an hour ago, GK Films tweeted, “Check in at the Philly audition for #JerseyBoys is now closed. Lots of hopefuls looking for their big break” with a cool photo of young, dashing, dark-haired aspiring Four Seasons at the sign-in table.
Entertainment professionals, bloggers, and reporters have all linked to the press release about the open call today and the upcoming one in NYC next Saturday. Hopeful “Seasons” can also audition online. Visit JerseyBoysMovieCasting.com for the official info!
Over the last few days, several film and entertainment bloggers have posted their two cents about the upcoming movie, the casting call, and have shared some insights on the upcoming JERSEY BOYS film that is scheduled to begin shooting in January, 2013. Check out some excerpts from recent posts:
ReelMovieNation.com: Can Favreau Get the Job Done? Favreau’s casting call has its pros and cons: On one hand he’s actually searching for new talent, and not just for the supporting characters, but the lead singers of the ’60s pop group The Four Seasons. What a great opportunity for emerging talent! But on the other hand, each individual call lists the ability to sing and play instruments as “a plus.†Hmm? Right off the bat, Favreau’s pissing off the theatre crowd. There’s talented people who can sing their faces off, and the fact that it’s not required that the actors have a damn good voice is concerning. It’s simple, hit the required notes, if not you’re out. I congratulate Tom Hooper for making everyone in his Les Miserables cast sing live everyday during production right in front of the camera. It takes balls to do what that cast did.
Slashfilm.com: Director Jon Favreau is looking for unknowns to star in his upcoming adaptation of the Tony award-winning Broadway musical, Jersey Boys. Over the next two weekends, in Philadelphia and New York, he’s looking for male singers to audition for the four lead roles of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, the legendary music group at the center of this classic rags to riches story. This means that if you live on the East Coast, are male and can sing, you may just become a superstar.
It makes sense to search for unknowns in these roles because, really, the music is the star of the show. Plus Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons were unknowns when they began, so to cast stars in those roles would automatically take away some of the excitment of seeing them become successful, even if it is just a movie.
AwardsCircuit.com: Director Jon Favreau is hosting an open casting call for the upcoming screen adaptation of the hit stage musical, “Jersey Boys.†He’s searching for unknowns and giving them a chance to breakthrough in the roles that make up the show’s band, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Auditions are being held in New York and Philadelphia the next two weekends.
Here are my words of encouragement. If you ever wanted something so bad, and its all you can think about, take this chance if you’re on the East Coast. Gabourey Sidibe (Precious), Abigail Breslin (Signs), and this year with Quvenzhane Wallis (Beasts of the Southern Wild), all were once regular people. Even singers make the same chance. American Idol Season 7 winner David Cook went to auditions to accompany his brother who was auditioning. Cook went on to win the entire competition. If you want your chance, you have to take the chance.
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So, what do you guys think about these bloggers’ opinions regarding the open casting calls for the JERSEY BOYS film? Do you think casting unknowns in the film is wise? Does it make sense to do that since the music is the STAR of the show? Or, do you think the film adaptation needs big names (such as Darren Criss, or perhaps Adam Levine, or let’s say, Bruno Mars?). Or, perhaps some of you think current or former multitalented JERSEY BOYS cast members who can sing, dance, act, and play instruments would be perfect for the movie roles?
We’ve been doing JBB Polls for months, with a few more to go, but we’re curious: Is The Four Seasons’ phenomenal music the STAR of the show and can unknowns turn the JB movie into a blockbuster hit?
“Or, perhaps some of you think current or former multitalented JERSEY BOYS cast members who can sing, dance, act, and play instruments would be perfect for the movie roles?” YES YES!!!
I have said all along and the bloggers seem to agree no big name stars for this one. BUT the many talented theater actors who have been and are in Jersey Boys should be considered first. They would be perfect and they qualify as unknown. BONUS: they know the material inside and out!
Comment by Lynne Menefee — August 18, 2012 @ 2:01 pm
Yes unknowns can make this a blockbuster. THe star is the music and the STORY. Story is always first.
Comment by Lynne Menefee — August 18, 2012 @ 2:04 pm
Why don’t they just use members of the stage casts? They know the parts, they know the songs. why would I want to see the movie with a bunch of unknowns when I can go to the theater and see the best.
Comment by Carol4525 — August 18, 2012 @ 2:15 pm
I think they should use those who have already been in Jersey Boys.They are the ones who have made it a hit.and they are all very talented.Im not sure using unknowns will bring people to the box office.I for one will not go see the movie if they dont use existing or former Jersey Boys.
Comment by Ginger — August 18, 2012 @ 2:27 pm
I will see the movie no matter who is in the cast. I’m hoping that Frankie and Bob have a say in the main characters and I trust their judgement. However, although I haven’t seen all of these in person I have figured out there are already five outstanding Frankie’s in the U.S. In alphabetical order, Joseph Leo Bwarie, Travis Cloer, Dominic Scaglione Jr, Jarrod Spector and John Lloyd Young. I would love to see one of these men in the movie.
Comment by Kay Fellows — August 18, 2012 @ 11:01 pm
I don’t understand why he wouldn’t want to go with a sure thing and use any of the talented actors from any of the stage productions. For those folks that are not “live” theater goers these actors are unknowns. It is almost a slap in the face to all of these wonderfully talented folks.
Comment by Gladys (Phillygalg) — August 19, 2012 @ 5:35 am
I think that the actors from the Broadway play are the best in the business. They work hard to give wonderful performances every day.
I vote for John Lloyd Young to play the part of Frankie Valli. He has won the Tony Award, in addition to other awards for his portrayal of Frankie Valli.
He has returned to Jersey Boys for a limited engagement and is better than ever, he can do this the best of anyone. He is “THE BEST FRANKIE”
I vote for John Lloyd Young for the Frankie role in the movie and would not go to the movie, unless there are familiar actors from the Broadway play, it will not be good.
I have seen the Broadway play many times with John Lloyd Young and he has the Voice, Looks and is so talented.
Hope they do the right thing in casting!!!!!!
Viv
Comment by viv — August 19, 2012 @ 8:24 am
Let the movie cast come from the stage casts that made “JB” a smash-hit. Yes, Bob’s music is the basis for all the success. But, the performers who brought it all to life on stage should be given the opportunity to also bring it to life on the screen. Without these talented people, there might not even be a movie. I hope that Frankie and Bob have approval/veto rights as to who plays them in the movie. After all, it is THEIR story.
Comment by Rich Miller — August 19, 2012 @ 8:29 am
In all honesty, I don’t care who is cast in the movie as long as they can actually SING. The comment made in the ReelMovieNation.com blog concerns me, especially for the Frankie role. The ability to sing in the specified ranges is “a plus”…meaning optional? It was one thing to see John Lloyd Young admit in an interview that he couldn’t dance when he auditioned for the role of Frankie. Sergio Trujillo was able to work with him enough so that he could pulll off the dance moves in the show. But I don’t care how much time Katie Agresta spends with an actor…if he doesn’t have the natural range for the Frankie role, he’s not going to be able to cut it. Hire an unknown actor, a star, or a Jersey Boys current/former cast member…whatever…but the ability to sing in the specificed range should be a requirement, not merely a “plus.”
Comment by Shell — August 20, 2012 @ 3:02 pm
I’m actually not sold on the director. Les Miserables the movie has an Oscar winner as director. They got the director for “Iron Man” and “Cowboys and Aliens. I am dubious. I agree with the blogger re the Les Miserables movie. That has set the bar for stage to movie musicals. Les Mis actors are singing live but for JB actors, singing ability is just “a plus”? No wonder it is not creating a big buzz like Les Mis did.
Comment by boy0210 — August 20, 2012 @ 10:50 pm
Please cast the Jersey Boys stage actors. John Lloyd Young set the standard for Frankie and won a Tony for the role, but he is far from a household name. Even the most talented stage actors are basically unknown to the movie-going public.
Comment by Robin — August 21, 2012 @ 8:20 pm
Please cast the Jersey Boys stage actors. John Lloyd Young set the standard for Frankie and won a Tony for the role, but he is far from a household name. Even the most talented stage actors are basically unknown to the movie-going public.
This site is not allowing me to post my comment, because they’re saying it’s a duplicate comment. Maybe that’s because we’re all saying the same thing. CAST the JB stage actors!
Comment by Robin W — August 21, 2012 @ 8:23 pm
I also feel the movie should have actors from Jersey Boys.They should take from four of the best boys. Example: Frankie, John Lloyd Young or Jarrod Spector, Broadway. Tommy DeVito, Devin May from Vegas Bob Gaudio ,Daniel Reichard OBC Nick Massi, Michael Ingersoll: original Chicago cast.
This would be a dream team!
THEA
Comment by THEA — August 22, 2012 @ 12:10 am
I think Frankie’s real singers who’ve been singing alongside him long before Jersey Boys ever hit should be considered as well! They do not get enough recognition and can sing dance and act and have backed Frankie as a group for 7 years now…Brian Brigham, Brandon Brigham, Landon Beard, and Todd Fournier. Rumor has it Frankie has been grooming them and producing their record!
Comment by Lynn Johnson — September 1, 2012 @ 1:37 pm
The only one to play Frankie is John Lloyd Young. Please, please, cast him in the movie. His voice is out of this world.
Comment by MiMi — June 12, 2013 @ 5:29 pm