Update on Jersey Boys Film and More…
November 23rd, 2007New York Post columnist Michael Reidel provides some theatrical tidbits today, including an update on the film rights to Jersey Boys and JB’s upcoming Vegas show:
Bob Gaudio, who wrote most of the Four Seasons’ hit songs, wants a ton of money for the film rights to Jersey Boys.
Steven Spielberg is after the show, and there’s some grumbling in “Jersey”-land that Gaudio’s price tag – said to be several million dollars – may jeopardize the deal.
But at least one of the shows’ creators is happy to let Gaudio do the negotiating.
“Bob does want a lot of money – and isn’t that nice?” says Marshall Brickman, who co-wrote, with Rick Elice, the book to “Jersey Boys.”
“Bob’s favorite word is ‘historic.’ He wants a ‘historic’ deal. He’s in the music business, so he’s used to taking the cash home after the show. I think that’s a wonderful thing to apply to the movie business.”
Jersey Boys did sign a multimillion-dollar deal to put the show up in Las Vegas last year. Here’s what Brickman says when asked if he and Elice will chop it down to the preferred Vegas running time of 90 minutes?
We haven’t decided yet. A lot of the ‘philosophy’ of Vegas – if that’s the word I want – is that you need the ‘lite’ version. But what we want to avoid is a bait-and-switch. We don’t want people who saw the show on Broadway or on tour coming to Vegas and saying, ‘That’s not what I saw on Broadway.’ It’s tempting to leave it alone.
Mr. Gaudio knows what he’s doing..So I hope if the movie does happen. They don’t screw it up..Jody
Comment by Jody Cardillo — November 23, 2007 @ 12:48 pm
Please don’t shorten Jersey Boys for Vegas. I’m Beggin You!!
Comment by LindaL — November 23, 2007 @ 1:36 pm
I agree with you Jody, Bob Gaudio knows what he’s doing and I hope he holds out for the right deal. It must be done right, or not done at all!! OBC being offered first choice for the roles!!!!
Comment by WANDA — November 23, 2007 @ 3:17 pm
Why not? Bob and Frankie and GAVA deserve it as much as the writers, directors, actors, and producers. Maybe it will prevent them from getting some overpriced movie stars from getting the roles, instead of people that can actually sing, dance, and act(OBC, members of touring casts, or others who would fit the bill but aren’t big names). The last thing I’d want to see is Johnny Depp as Frankie Valli, or George Clooney as Tommy DeVito. Sorry.
Comment by Catherine — November 23, 2007 @ 5:44 pm
I know for a fact that Jersey Boys will NOT be cut to 90 minutes for Vegas. A few changes will probably be made in the show, just as there were changes between La Jolla and Broadway, and between Broadway and the National Tour. But every time changes are made, the object is to make the show better — and certainly not to give the fans less for their money. I think the creators of JB will make a statement about the Vegas show at some point. If and when they do, we’ll feel reassured. I have faith in them, and they haven’t let me down yet. Regards, Charles
Comment by Charles Alexander — November 23, 2007 @ 6:18 pm
I don’t think they’re forced to cut it back all the way to 90 minutes. Someone had a link on the bulletin board part of the site to an article that said all shows in Vegas are a mandatory 90 minutes, and it turned out to be not true. Mamma Mia in Vegas is over two hours plus an intermission. It probably will be between the writers and the people who run the Palazzo what it will be like.
Comment by Catherine — November 23, 2007 @ 6:39 pm
Thank you, Charles. I always love to read what you write. It is so uplifting and ACCURATE! IE
Comment by irene eizen — November 23, 2007 @ 7:38 pm
Who’s to assume just because someone is a movie star that means they’re untalented? Sure, it’s easy to miscast if all you’re doing is looking for star power (especially in the list you provided), but the assumption that just because someone has made a big splash in Hollywood doesn’t automatically discount them from a different branch of the entertainment genre.
Comment by Leanna — November 24, 2007 @ 1:04 am
The original Broadway Jersey Boy’s MUST be in the Movie. I can’t imagine anyone else playing those lead roles.
Comment by Ellen — November 24, 2007 @ 3:23 pm
I agree with Ellen. The movie will not be as successful without JLY playing Frankie.
Comment by anne — November 24, 2007 @ 7:44 pm
You folks are just unimaginative.
Comment by Leanna — November 24, 2007 @ 10:04 pm
I also agree with Ellen. People who have seen the original Broadway cast I would hope agree with putting ALL of them in the movie as they appear on Broadway. I live in the Chicago area and saw the Chicago version November 3rd and are going on the 30th and booked 24 tickets for May 3, 2008. But I’ve been giving everyone in Chicago MY review. You can’t beat the Broadway cast even though the Chicago cast comes really close. (I rated Broadway 10 and Chicago 9, but Chicago 10 if you haven’t seen the Broadway cast). Please tell Steve Spielberg to cast the Broadway cast and give Gaudio and VAlli all the money they want – it’s well deserved – much more so than some of our “pro” athletes! Thank you very much!
Comment by Mitzi — November 25, 2007 @ 10:56 am
Bob and Frankie have been very successful in business deals this far why stop now. Jersey Boys is a class production on Broadway, don’t cheapen any part of this movie by not giving Gaudio what he wants! They deserve all the attention Jersey Boys is getting now. The Four Seasons deserved more then they got. How many shows have gotten fans this crazy? We saw an unknown actor (who happened to win the TONY AWARD) take us for a two year ride of our lives. The charisma & chemistry the four have on stage is amazing! That would be brought to the movie. I agree 100% with Ellen, THE OBC HAS TO BE IN THE MOVIE!
Comment by THEA — November 25, 2007 @ 1:33 pm
After meeting the OBC in NYC, watching the London Cast Preview CD (featuring the OBC) that has so much of the August Wilson show on it (seems like a DVD version of JLY and Co.) and hearing the Grammy Award Winning Broadway Cast CD, I’m now thinking that if they cast the “original 4″, it would definitely work!
I can imagine the members of the OBC winning an Academy Award for their portrayal of The Four Seasons in the movie version! If they have a direct to cable version and not a big screen release, they would win an Emmy!
I owe it all to the OBC for being the closest to the real thing and also for being so accommodating for appreciating the fans as much as we do for them!
Comment by Mike B. Magbaleta — November 26, 2007 @ 9:28 pm
Agreed, opinions/points well taken. Good for Bob Gaudio for watching out for everybody’s interests, including his own. Bob is quite business savvy in this business called show.
I still remember a certain musical made into a movie and it did not do so good. BOMBED was more like it! And all the fuss that was made when certain movie stars were considered for the title role instead of the ONE who originated the role on stage in three different major entertainment markets. It ended up that newcomers were cast in the three (major) roles instead.
If JERSEY BOYS is made into a movie and the key word is IF, I hope the powers that are/will be will remember that certain movie musical that BOMBED and the sagas that went with it, especially when it comes to casting the roles.
Comment by Tina — March 18, 2008 @ 10:23 pm
Make Des McAnuff the film Director! Rob Marshall (Said to be the best director for this) Will RUIN it! They need the very same energy in the movie. To make this movie different and have people loving it you need to make it almost a splitting image of the stage version. im telling you, the narrations should be in it too, Ferris Beuler Style talking to the camera, it will be so amazing to put that twist on it!
Comment by Nick R — July 9, 2010 @ 8:23 pm