October 9, 2010

GK Films Acquires Film Rights to Jersey Boys; Brickman & Elice to Pen Screenplay!

October 9th, 2010

Jersey Boys Logo From the Official Blog of GK Films: In a groundbreaking deal for a Broadway show, Graham King’s GK Films has acquired feature film rights to the smash hit musical stage play “Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.” King and Tim Headington will produce the film to be written by stage play scribes Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio will executive produce the film.

“Jersey Boys is one of the most electrifying stage shows any of us has ever seen and it has all the ingredients to become a big commercial hit movie,” commented King. “So to now be collaborating with the whole team – Frankie, Bob, Marshall and Rick – to bring that magic to the big screen is just a wonderful dream come true,” he continued.

“We are extremely excited about the passion and commitment expressed by GK Films to take Jersey Boys to another level . Graham King has been a believer from day one. We are in good hands,” said Valli and Gaudio.

GK Films’ Julie Roach negotiated with Ken Ziffren and David Lande of Ziffren, Brittenham, ICM’s Jeff Berg and The Four Season’s Peter Bennett to acquire the film rights.

Visit Blog.GK-Films.com for the full story.

25 Comments »

  1. This is all very exciting! I cannot wait to see who will be cast for the Four Seasons. Mark Wahlberg has my vote for Tommy DeVito…and he can sing!

    Comment by Carolyn — October 9, 2010 @ 5:22 pm

  2. Funny you mention that, Carolyn. In an interview I did w/the one and only Tommy DeVito back in late 2006, he suggested Wahlberg, too!
    http://jerseyboysblog.com/jbb-exclusive-interview-with-tommy-devito/970

    Comment by Susie — October 9, 2010 @ 5:59 pm

  3. I’m thrilled to hear that the movie will be in good hands. With Valli and Gaudio exec producing, and Elice and Brickman writing the script, it will surely stay true to the story we all know and love. Very exciting news, indeed!

    Comment by Catherine — October 9, 2010 @ 6:26 pm

  4. Great news! I always felt it was a little unfair that Brickman had an Oscar under his belt (“Annie Hall,” 1977) but Elice didn’t. (Maybe the fact that Rick never wrote a movie before had something to do with it, but still). So now Rick will get his chance to join that club too.

    So here are the TOP TEN LINES FROM THE JERSEY BOYS MOVIE THAT JUST MIGHT LIVE ON FOREVER:

    10. Frankie, my dear, I don’t give a damn.
    9. I love the smell of a landfill past a turnpike by a dump in the morning.
    8. May the horn section be with you.
    7. Miss Delgado, you’re trying to seduce me. Aren’t you?
    6. “The Postman Always Thinks Twice, It’s Alright”
    5. Mika, do you like movies about gladiators?
    4. I’m ready for my close-up, Mr. DeCarlo.
    3. “Hasta La Vista, Baby (Baby Good-bye)”
    2. Of all the bowling alleys in all the towns in all the world, they walk into mine.

    AND THE NUMBER ONE POTENTIALLY MEMORABLE LINE FROM THE JERSEY BOYS MOVIE:

    1. I see dead people, three Mexicans, and a guy with no nose.

    ;-)

    Comment by stubbleyou — October 9, 2010 @ 8:17 pm

  5. Some folks always find topics a source for their own humor….
    I just hope that the get it right. Hate to see the strength of the show get lost in the film.

    Comment by gladys — October 10, 2010 @ 4:04 am

  6. Should put Joe Bwarie in it xP

    Comment by Amy — October 10, 2010 @ 8:44 am

  7. Whoever is doing the casting, please cast Michael Ingersoll as Nick Massi. I’ve seen this 12 times from NY to Chicago to LV.
    As far as Frankie goes, how about JLY or Jarrod Spector???
    I think Frankie and Bob Gaudio ought to have cameo roles and maybe even Tommy DeVito. Your thoughts???

    Comment by Mitzi — October 10, 2010 @ 9:13 am

  8. Mitzi-
    If they follow the four narrators route, I think Frankie, Bob and Tommy should do those voice-overs, along with Joe Long voicing Nick’s comments. Something featuring them on-screen in the end credits (performance clips from the 60s + commentary from the present) would be nice, too.

    Comment by George O'Brien — October 10, 2010 @ 9:59 am

  9. I love the idea of using cast members, but most times they like to go with top box office names. But you never know… I had always hoped that the Original Broadway Cast would have some sort of part in the production. And George’s thoughts are wonderful!

    Comment by Carolyn — October 10, 2010 @ 12:44 pm

  10. Its about time. We have been waiting to hear this news for a lonnnnnnnnng time and will be a masterpiece if Rick and Marshall are writing it!!!!! For what its worth…..Mark Walberg gets my vote for Tommy, thats a great fit. As far as Frankie goes, I think JLY would be great. He’s got everything and the experience of a couple of movies under his belt as well. At any rate, I can’t wait. I know it will be one of those movies I will watch over and over!!!!!

    Comment by Lenora Antunes — October 10, 2010 @ 12:49 pm

  11. I’m so excited that JB movie is finally coming together. I would love to see the OBC in the movie. JLY has to be Frankie Valli he already has movie experience with, OVEY MY SON IS GAY. (The movie should be out soon) JLY can’t then Jarrod Spector.He is very good also. With Brickman & Elice I’m sure they will pick the right cast. CAN’T WAIT! THEA

    Comment by THEA — October 10, 2010 @ 12:53 pm

  12. If you guys are insisting on “big names”, how about Justin Bieber for Frankie, The Situation for Tommy, Justin Timberlake for Bob, Ben Stiller for Nick, Donald Trump for Gyp, and Judge Judy for Mary Delgado (after all, she does have “a few years” on Frankie)? LOL.

    All kidding aside, congrats to Rick and Marshall. I’m sure it’ll be a masterpiece just like the stage version.

    Comment by Howard — October 10, 2010 @ 1:06 pm

  13. Howard,

    I had to comment on your casting suggestions! You are, as always, just too funny. Donald Trump for Gyp! I can see it now – telling the boys, one at a time, “You’re fired! IE

    Comment by irene eizen — October 10, 2010 @ 4:58 pm

  14. Would love to see JLY as Frankie for the movie. Also, why not have the REAL Joe Pesci play Gyp Di Carlo in the movie.
    That would be great …

    Comment by Jerry — October 10, 2010 @ 10:02 pm

  15. Dominic Scaglione Jr is the only one that can give it that authentic Jersey feel. No offence to the other guys but Dominic is from there. And he sounds the most like Frankie. He just might be too good looking for it. Either way I’m sure it will be great

    Comment by jaime — October 11, 2010 @ 2:39 am

  16. Phillip Bulcock as Nick Massi is a MUST!!!!! He was the original Nick Massi in The West End and has the moody, dark persona needed for the role (he also had a small part in The Dark Knight). Apart from that I’m not too fussed about who has the other parts, but would be cool to see Ryan Molloy as Frankie Valli.

    Comment by James Allen — October 11, 2010 @ 5:05 am

  17. The original cast would be great except I think there might be hard feelings with the recent lawsuit. That would also be my first choice. As far as Joe Pesci is concerned, he might have to color his hair and can he still make the moves?? I still want to see Jrsey Boys back in Chicago! I have travel too far to see this show.

    Comment by Mitzi — October 11, 2010 @ 6:55 am

  18. I’ve seen JB over 30 times in NY (OBC & current cast), SF, Chi, LV, Road Show (5 locs) and here are my picks for the cast:

    Frankie – First choice is Jarrod – he has grown as an actor; Dom is second choice. Both have the look, the sound and the warmth.

    Tommy – Jeremy Kushnier – he has you with his first word and that “who me” look.

    Bob – Peter Saide has the right look and demeanor. Drew was the best I’ve seen (the law suit could be a barrier).

    Nick – It HAS to be Michael Ingersoll. He is so neurotic and so flawless in this role, plus he has screen experience.

    Crew – Craig Laurie is perfect, even though he isn’t blonde like the real Crew.

    Don’t get me wrong – just about all of the cast members I’ve seen were terrific, but these float to the top of my list.

    Can’t wait to hear more!!!

    Comment by Suzie — October 11, 2010 @ 9:47 am

  19. How exciting! I can’t wait to see this movie.

    I would love to see the beloved OBC (esp. JLY as Frankie) in the film, but Hollywood tends to go with familiar, box office names. We’ll see what happens!

    Comment by Dina F. — October 11, 2010 @ 11:21 am

  20. Suzie, I’d echo those, except JLY would be my second choice as Frankie (actually, it’d a tie between those two for me).

    Comment by KimR. — October 11, 2010 @ 11:56 am

  21. Mitzi, I stated that the REAL Joe Pesci should play Gyp Di Carlo in the movie. Not that he portrays one of the Jersey Boys …

    Comment by Jerry — October 11, 2010 @ 6:53 pm

  22. Jerry, that would be good too. Do any of the big shots read our comments? I hope so. And yes, Jeremy Kushnier would also make an excellent Tommy, but Christian Hoff was the best! I like the original Gyp DiCarlo too. Someone pass on these suggestions to GK, if you can. I wouldn’t mind being an extra either!

    Comment by Mitzi — October 11, 2010 @ 9:25 pm

  23. I think that the actors chosen should be those who could potentially win an academy award. Maybe actors/actresses who are capable of taking a good script and performance to that level. To me, this would be the “icing on the cake” for Frank and Bob and their storied careers.

    Don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen the original Broadway cast and some of the touring companies and they’re fabulous,but,I wouild like to see this film rival “Walk The Line” and “Ray” in garnering critical respect and national attention.

    In spite of what will be a great musical score the tone should be dark and lend itself more to the struggle, the hopes and the perseverance these guys
    had.

    Ray

    Comment by Ray — October 13, 2010 @ 10:44 am

  24. I’d like to see the Tony-award winners, JLY and Christian, have a chance.
    :)

    Comment by T.Kreslin — October 14, 2010 @ 5:28 pm

  25. This is great news. I just hope they don’t take forever to bring it to the “big screen.” I have to cast my vote for Jarrod. He just seems to get better in the role. I think Drew – and the whole Chicago cast – was great but Andrew Rannells was terrific as Bob Gaudio.

    Comment by maxine — November 16, 2010 @ 1:30 am

RSS feed for comments on this post. | TrackBack URI

Please leave a comment