John Logan to Pen Jersey Boys Movie
January 10th, 2012Borys Kit reports that John Logan has been tapped to adapt the hit Broadway musical Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons for producer GK Films.
The hiring puts him back in business with Graham King and Tim Headington, two of the men who produced his current film, Martin Scorsese’s Hugo, which is enjoying strong attention during the awards season.
The Jersey Boys musical won four Tonys in 2006, including best musical, and has generated more than $1 billion in ticket sales. The story follows the rise of the famous pop group The Four Seasons, which made its name with such signature tunes as “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Walk Like a Man.”
Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice wrote the show, with music by Four Seasons keyboardist Bob Gaudio and lyrics by Bob Crewe. (Gaudio also is exec producing, as is Valli.)
Columbia Pictures is expected to partner with GK Films and handle worldwide distribution in most of the world, minus some international territories that GK may sell separately.
For full details, visit HollywoodReporter.com.
I’m missing something here. In the original announcement that GK Films was going to do the movie, Elice and Brickman were identified as the writers. Are they not doing it and John Logan is? Maybe it’s just my misunderstanding of Hollywood terminology. Any help would be appreciated.
Comment by George O'Brien — January 10, 2012 @ 11:09 pm
Funny I was just thinking about that the other day-that with the show being such a hit and with the recent record-breaking weekend sales, would there be a movie done next? I wonder if any of the actors who’ve portrayed the band in the play will get chosen to reprise the role on the film? I hope so but with history of plays being turned into movies it seems that has not been the case…Lets hope this cahnges.
Good luck! I can’t wait to see it!
Comment by Nita — January 11, 2012 @ 2:30 am
I hope the OBC will do the pic. I would love to be an extra. Seen it 13 times and still want more!
Comment by Mitzi — January 11, 2012 @ 8:56 am
I think that the JB “family” members should get first opportunity to portray the parts they created on the stage. A multitude of great talent has been discovered and developed through the thousands of performance this show. Who else knows the show, music, and personalities better than the ones who have lived it? I say keep it in the “family.” GYP would agree.
Comment by Rich Miller — January 11, 2012 @ 1:32 pm
The Hollywood Reporter article implies that Marshall and Rick have graciously stepped aside (or been pushed aside) so that John Logan, one of the most respected screenwriters in Hollywood, can do the screenplay. Logan wrote The Aviator, directed by Martin Scorsese, which was was nominated for Best Picture (and should have won in my opinion) and this year wrote Scorsese’s wonderful Hugo, which should be nominated. So I’d say the odds are pretty good that Scorsese will direct Jersey Boys. Despite our affection for Rick and Marshall, we should be happy about this. Consider Logan’s record:
Accolades
Winner, 2010 -Tony Award Best Play, for Red.
Winner 2008 – Golden Globe Award Best Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, for “Sweeney Todd”
Winner, 1999 – Writers Guild of America Best TV Adapted Writing, for RKO 281
Nominated, 2004 – Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Screenplay, for The Aviator.
Nominated, 2004 – BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay, for The Aviator
Nominated, 2004 – Writers Guild of America Best Original Screenplay, for The Aviator
Nominated, 2000 – Academy Award for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen, for Gladiator.
Nominated, 2000 – BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay, for Gladiator
Nominated, 1999 – Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Mini-Series or Movie, for RKO 281
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Comment by Charles Alexander — January 11, 2012 @ 10:18 pm
I doubt any of the stage actors will be cast. look at les mis.
Comment by boy0210 — January 12, 2012 @ 4:35 pm
I have seen Jersey Boys in New York and in Sydney 6 times
It would definitely be a plus for the movie to feature some of the cast from various productions around the world. This would bring the theatre fans and the music fans together making for a wider audience. Namely I’d love to see Ben Mingay from the Sydney production portray Tommy DeVito (I’ve seen 4 different Tommy portrayals). Jarrod Spector (New York) was fantastic as Frankie and I’ve seen 3 different Frankie portrayals.
But it is just exciting that this musical will come to a big screen soon!
Comment by K.Takeda — March 27, 2012 @ 11:57 pm