NEWSFLASH: Jersey Boys–The Movie???
November 22nd, 2006New York Post’s Michael Riedel has some big news regarding the possibilities of Jersey Boys becoming a movie, with Stephen Spielberg, and other Hollywood moguls interested in turning this Broadway blockbuster into a film!
According to Riedel, Steven Spielberg is said to be in hot pursuit of the movie rights to Jersey Boys. He’s seen the show and is known to be a huge fan of the music, the era and the expertly constructed script by Rick Elice and Marshall Brickman.
But Spielberg isn’t the only Hollywood mogul in the hunt. Harvey Weinstein and Tom Hanks, as well as execs from Disney and Warner Brothers have all been spotted at the August Wilson Theatre in recent months.
“There’s been a crowd in the lobby with makeup on,” jokes Brickman.
There’s a rumor that Des McAnuff, who staged the musical, has a contract that gives him first crack at directing the movie. Brickman says that’s not the case, though he’d be happy to have McAnuff on board.
But could he say “no” to Spielberg, who, sources say, wants to produce and direct?
“In a word – no,” says Brickman. “But I don’t know whether he feels this is his metier.”
Elice and Brickman, who won acclaim this year for their book, would certainly do the screenplay. Neither is a stranger to Hollywood. Elice has worked on several Disney movies and Brickman co-wrote “Annie Hall” and “Manhattan” and wrote and directed the underrated “Simon.”
They’re actively involved in the movie sale and will probably have final say about how the deal shakes down.
There are two schools of thought about the best time to make the movie sale.
The traditional view is that Jersey Boys will be worth even more in Hollywood once touring companies have been rolled out around the world.
More from Riedel.
It would take real skill to translate the power of this musical to the big screen- the story- sure, but the MUSICAL and the essential playing to and interaction with the audience.. I don’t know. The great story told by Elice and Brickman would work anywhere but the magic of the musical is available only when one gets themselves to the theater. Go ahead Hollywood…tell the history of the group but please don’t pretend to recreate the show.
Comment by Audrey — November 22, 2006 @ 12:51 pm
Wouldn’t that be terrific! I only hope they would get John Lloyd, Daniel, Christian and Bobby to play on the big screen! Doesn’t seem like that happens very often, though.
Jean
Comment by Jean — November 22, 2006 @ 1:44 pm
Audrey, I wonder too how the audience interaction could be translated to the screen. I love the show and have seen it 5 times, and each time, there are at least 4 scenes where the actors really react to the audience: 1. Christian’s initial monologue (with his remarkable facial expressions), “we put Jersey on the map”, “drive through a landfill and a dump to cheer for a team from New York anyway”, etc., 2. tumultous ovation to “Sherry”, 3. audience AND JLY response to “Can’t Take My Eyes off You”, where JLY seems to fight back tears when the audience can’t stop applauding, and 4. the final monologues, especially of Christian and Daniel, which garner a mixture of laughter, tears, and applause from the crowd. But keep in mind I’m a CPA and not a moviemaker, so the transformation may be easier than I imagine.
Comment by Howard — November 23, 2006 @ 12:06 pm
I agree that the stage play can’t be replicated in a movie, but I also think it would be terrific to have Jersey Boys with all the terrific music available at some point on dvd so you could watch it as much as you want! Of course, I would hope the original cast would be chosen for the onscreen version.
Jean
Comment by Jean — November 24, 2006 @ 1:55 pm
I think that turning Jersey Boys into a movie musical is a great idea, but they would have to use John Lloyd Young, Christian Hoff, J. Robert Spencer, and Daniel Reichard.
Comment by Kayla — November 25, 2006 @ 11:46 pm
My wife and I have been to the musical play twice. Both times were great. The movie idea is great. Would love to see the remaining 4 Seasons have a camio appearance in the movie. Looking forward to seeing the movie.
A JERSEY COUPLE who loves the JERSEY BOYS!
Comment by Frank — November 26, 2006 @ 4:53 am
I have seen the show 8 times over the past year and have seen the cast blossom, especially John, who’s confidence has contributed to his overwhelming appeal, hence his Tony award. I can’t imagine the movie without the original cast. Their chemistry on stage is magic and you can feel the difference when any one of the cast are absent.
Comment by Nicole N — November 26, 2006 @ 8:42 am
It would be great to see Jersey Boys in movie form BUT the original cast is a MUST! I think it could be done; they got most of the original broadway cast to do rent the movie so why should Jersey Boys be any different?
Comment by kiki — March 28, 2007 @ 6:59 pm
Why not Jersey Boys, the movie? Chicago, Dreamgirls and tons of others have been turned into movies and done extremely well. I can’t wait. Even if the original cast doesn’t do it, the search for actors would be awesome to keep track of.
Debbie
Comment by Debbie R. — June 21, 2007 @ 5:26 pm
I can’t imagine it happening until the end of the National Tours 1 and 2. It would be interesting to see who would be cast in the actual movie.
My choices (only based upon looks that match the original 60′s Four Seasons) are:
Frankie Valli: Jarrod Spector
Bob Gaudio: Andrew Gehling
Nick Massi: Michael Ingersoll
Tommy DeVito: Deven May
My choices (based upon performance on stage as seen in person) are:
Frankie Valli: Chris Jones/JLY
Bob Gaudio: Andrew Gehling/Daniel Reichard
Nick Massi: Steve Gouveia/Michael Ingersoll
Tommy DeVito: Deven May
Gyp DeCarlo: James Gandolfini
Mary Delgado: Jennifer Naimo
Bob Crewe: Craig Laurie
These are just my choices, so they do not reflect what the entire JB fan base feels, so feel free to put your two cents in for favorite potential movie cast members.
Comment by Mike B. Magbaleta — June 21, 2007 @ 6:59 pm
Frankie Valli: David Norona
Bob Gaudio: Daniel Reichard
Nick Massi: Steve Gouveia
Tommy DeVito: Christian Hoff
Steve Gouveia is probably the only one who can really hit Nick’s lower notes, although I heard Jake Speck (Gaudio/DeVito/Massi swing) is a baritone-bass.
That’s my opinion.
Comment by Mark Brown — June 21, 2007 @ 8:44 pm
My hope would be that the wonderful talent on stage around the country be willing to continue, so that more fans could be born and yearn for a movie that is vaguely out there in the future.
Just like the changing personnel of the Four Seasons over the years, each person involved is an integral piece of the puzzle’s evolution. To quote Nick… I like the blend.
Comment by Audrey — June 21, 2007 @ 10:35 pm
I saw the tour in LA and I think that Chris Kale Jones was amazing, and would be great in the movie version. But you know that they will get these boys to sing and get stars into the roles on screen. Selling tickets to people who want to see someone they know is the goal.
Comment by Mark — September 5, 2007 @ 10:43 am
I was the show in SF a number of times I’d like to see a movie cast be..
Frankie Valli: Jarrod Spector
Bob Gaudio: Drew Gehling
Nick Massi: Michael Ingersoll
Tommy DeVito: Deven May/Jeremy Kushnier
Comment by Hannah — November 25, 2007 @ 2:25 am
I would love a JB film to be made but a film is for everyone JB is just as big in Britain as it is in America so us Brits would love the West End Jersey Boys to get a look in if a film is ever made.
Comment by kate — July 13, 2008 @ 8:11 am
This would make a great film, not too much to change, it would need to have JLY and Christian Hoff for the leads, and absolutely J. Robert Spencer, if anything the origional broadway Four Seasons of Jersey Boys should take the roles. The only thing this movie absolutely NEEDS to have is the ending where they all sing “AHHH” in perfect harmony and then right at the end cut to Directed By… and credits or even better the Title “Jersey Boys” then the credits. That is the one and ONLY finale for a Jersey Boys movie. it should not have opening credits. i think this would be a great musical film, it would top all the recent ones.
Comment by Nick R — August 21, 2008 @ 6:32 pm
Fingers crossed that Spielberg or a director of his stature takes this one on. The concerns expressed in here about not trying to re-create the stage version are very valid but I think Spielberg is much too good and much too smart to give us a mere photograph of a stage musical. He’s the kind of guy to give the movie version its own magic. I’ve seen the show twice – in London and in Toronto and I’ll never give up a chance to see this one again. It’s already a Broadway classic. Nothing beats the live stage version of a great musical written for the theatre but we could also use some better movies than the current crop and here’s a prime candidate. I’ll jump at the chance to eventually get this on DVD!
Comment by John B — September 27, 2008 @ 5:44 pm
I would like to see the OBC. I feel Hollywood could not find anyone to sing and act as well as the “Boys”. If for some reason the OBC could not do it,use some of the other companys. Who could play The Jersey Boys better then The Jersey Boys ?
Comment by THEA — September 28, 2008 @ 2:13 pm
I think if they are gonna make this a movie, they should have the interaction. No voice overs! Keep as much dialogue from the show in the movie as much as possible!!!!!!!!!! Make a different kind of movie musical I think it would be amazing to let the movie have the same pace and script as the broadway show. alot of movies have people talking to the camera! Ferris Beulers Day Off is a great example.
The Producers is a good example of a musical that was almost the same exact look in the theatre and the movie!!!!!!!!!
And if they really wanna make Jersey Boys a movie. they should have the original broadway cast!! or as many as they can to do it. Awards were won on broadway and if this movie idea succeeds, it has a straight shot at a few Oscars!
And one more thing, Des should make a great director. Speilberg will probably be good but he has not done anything like this before. We should not risk it.
Comment by Nick R — March 8, 2009 @ 11:12 am
if this happens, Ryan Molloy has got to play Frankie Valli, he has to be the best actor portraying frankie, out of all of the shows.
Comment by Kerry — May 8, 2009 @ 6:03 am
GO LONDON CAST!
Comment by Kerry — May 8, 2009 @ 6:04 am
I have seen the show in San Diego (where it originated), in NYC and in Ft. Lauderdale.
David Noroña, who originated the role in San Diego is without a doubt the BEST choice to play Frankie Valli.
Looking forward to the movie.
Other musicals have gone from Broadway to big movie hits and this show should be no exception.
Comment by Doris K — May 17, 2009 @ 9:30 am
My Name is Mike and i Have Down Sydrome i am an Actor i Did Coummunity Thearte of Greensboro i Did 2 Shows of Peter Pan First a Lostboy to Pirates and Also Did 5 Years of The The Wizard of Oz Start of The Munchkins to The Winkees i Also Directed Some Movies and Acting into Movies I Did Who is The King of Rock & Roll i Played Elvis Presley and Did My 2nd Film Amadeus i Played Amadeus Mozart i Have Watched Lots of Musical Broadway on Movies and a Stage Play I Seen The Jersey Boys Grease Hairspray West Side Story Amadeus Millions of Broadway Shows and movies i am a Singer I Would Love To Play Frankie Valli I Never Had Played a Big part i Always Did Small Part I Listen To The 4 Seasons Alot I Knew Every Word in Every Music and I Can Sing That High I Would Love To Try Out The Jersey Boys as Frankie Valli
Comment by Mike — July 3, 2009 @ 10:55 pm
Ryan molloy as frankie valli , no question ,perfors everynight on west end london and is absolutely sensational !
Comment by Niall Mc Namee — September 4, 2009 @ 6:17 pm
If this film happens Ryan Molloy is a must for the part of Frankie Valli. His performance and his voice is second to none!
Comment by ellen — September 5, 2009 @ 1:00 pm
I’ve just seen Jersey Boys in Australia and would love to see the stage performance filmed and released on DVD. I don’t think any movie translation could surpass the feeling of being there live!
Comment by Jenny — January 29, 2010 @ 8:32 pm
We just saw Jersey Boys in Las Vegas and it was wonderful, if you visit Vegas don’t miss Jersey Boys at the Palazzo Theatre – Venetian
Comment by David — April 2, 2010 @ 2:39 pm
Making a movie would be FANTASTIC. My husband and I saw the play in Chicago four times. The first time we saw it, we knew we had to get another Jersey Boys fix. I’m still hoping they return to Chicago this year.
Comment by Maria O'Neill — July 14, 2010 @ 2:35 pm
The only director that could truely capture a bio pic like this is Martin Scorcese..!! Spielberg, great and all..but not sure he has a rough enough mind set to deliver the hard nosed Boys from Jersey to the big screen!!!
Comment by JP — July 25, 2010 @ 7:05 pm