March 20, 2008

The Latest Update on Jersey Boys–The Movie

March 20th, 2008

According to Baz Bamigboye of The Daily Mail–Martin Scorsese wants it, so does Steven Spielberg and even Tom Hanks. They, and many other directors and producers, are after the film rights to the musical Jersey Boys. Big men are crying in their vodkas over this.

Bob Gaudio, who penned most of the hits for Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons that are featured in the hit show – such as Sherry, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You and Working My Way Back To You – controls the rights to Jersey Boys, along with Valli and the musical’s writers Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice.

“It’s very flattering to have these renowned film-makers wanting to make a film of our show, but we’re not making any decisions till the summer,”‘ the hits-master told me at the swish first-night party at the Natural History Museum.

Is Jersey Boys a hit in London? Here’s what Bamigboye said: The show opened big time in London this week, and it’s turning into a huge hit. The show, at the Prince Edward, is a triumph: sharp direction by Des McAnuff, combined with songs that melt your heart and make you tap your feet.

25 Comments »

  1. As we patiently await the movie about the Jersey Boys, only one person can play Frankie Valli and play him to perfection and i think we all know who that is, JOHN LLOYD YOUNG. I hope whoever produces and directs this movie chooses John in the title role. Although most Broadway actors do not get the leads in the movie some have, most notable Marlon Brando in Streetcar Named Desire and isn’t it ironic that Marlon Brando is one of John’s idols so it would really be a perfect way to follow in his footsteps. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for John.

    Comment by Marcetrulo — March 21, 2008 @ 6:13 am

  2. Martin Scorsese, eh? I am sure Little Joey Fishes has put in a plug for him. That could be interesting.

    Comment by LindaL — March 21, 2008 @ 9:37 am

  3. I think Scorcese would do a nice job on a film. You’ll get a real “Jersey” feel plus he’s done
    some nice work with music groups, The Band etc.

    I think with Hanks you’ll get another peice of fluff like “That Thing You Do” ….Ouch!

    Spielberg is pretty versatile.

    Maybe DeNiro will be interested, he’s already directed the real Tommy DeVito.

    I just hope it’ll be done well and not like the hords of silly things we’ve seen with the Jerry Lee Lewis
    and Buddy Holly. If would have to be more like “Walk The Line” or “Ray”.

    I say give the lead role to David Norona who must feel like Pete Best these days.

    Comment by Ray Ricci — March 21, 2008 @ 3:29 pm

  4. The original Jersey Boys Broadway Cast (John, Christian, Daniel and Bobby) have to be in the movie. They would be crazy not to cast them.

    Comment by Ellen — March 21, 2008 @ 3:43 pm

  5. I can’t wait for the movie to come. I want to be able to hold a piece of history in my hands…when it comes out on video!! Who better could play Frankie in the movie than the one who created the role on Broadway. Although there are lot of guys playing the role of Frankie now, and doing a great job, I truly believe JLY is the only one who could portray the image of Frankie with all the heart and soul that it needs….like JLY did on Broadway.

    Comment by Lenora Antunes — March 21, 2008 @ 6:39 pm

  6. I so hope they make this a movie. I think they should approach Des first about the movie and if he doesn’t want to direct it then maybe either Spielberg or Scorese. The cast has to include JLY, Daniel, Christian, Bobby, and Michael and they should surround them with bigger names like Deniro, Nicholson, etc.

    Comment by Josh — March 21, 2008 @ 7:05 pm

  7. John winning a tony for the role should give him an edge…………..I HOPE!!

    Comment by JanHaas — March 24, 2008 @ 8:19 pm

  8. Any one of those three directors would do a great job – but only if the original Broadway cast did the movie with cameos by Gaudio, Valli and DeVito. This group is long overdue and I thank God every day for the work put in by Brickman and Elice to do Jerey Boys. GO GET ‘EM!

    Comment by Mitzi — June 14, 2008 @ 9:53 am

  9. GIVE THE FILM RIGHTS TO DES McANUFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Comment by Nick R — May 21, 2009 @ 8:32 pm

  10. any more news on the film

    Comment by Dennis — July 20, 2009 @ 12:39 pm

  11. I really hope they put the original broadway cast (John Lloyd Young, Christian Hoff, J. Robert Spencer, and Daniel Reichard) in the movie! Everyone in the Jersey Boys casts around the world are so good, but you just can’t beat the originals. They put so much emotion into it!

    Comment by Melanie — August 23, 2009 @ 9:14 pm

  12. Could imagine Dominic Scaglione Jr as Frankie?? He is the only one that sounds like the real frankie and has that original jersey boy edge. They would be crazy not to use him. He just has it.

    Comment by kammi — August 24, 2009 @ 3:31 am

  13. I KNOW THIS SUBJECT WAS OVER A YEAR AGO BUT I HAVE TO SAY SOMETHING.THE OBC HAS TO BE THE ONES TO DO IT.
    I SAW DANIEL REICHARD IN A MOVIE CALLED ” FOREVER PLAID” . HE WAS ONE OF THE SINGERS IN THE GROUP.
    HE WAS SO GOOD AND LOOKED GREAT ON THE BIG SCREEN.
    ALL THE BOYS WILL DO WELL IN THE MOVIE! AS I SAID BEFORE OBC !!

    Comment by THEA — August 24, 2009 @ 10:45 pm

  14. this has Scorsese written all over it, since it is bascially a gangster story. I think you’d have to go with unknowns for the four leads, which would lend itself to the original guys. Also, I personally would like that, because I haven’t seen them. I’ve seen the current B’way cast, and the current touring cast. (these guys would be just as good though). I particularly like Dominic Nolfi as Tommy. But like an earlier poster said, it needs the edge of Walk the Line and Ray, which also pushes it in Scorsese’s direction.

    Comment by Rae — October 27, 2009 @ 12:11 pm

  15. Kammi, I’m with you. Let’s get Dominic Scaglione as Frankie and MIke Ingersoll as Nick Massi. I agree that Dom is more like Frankie than anyone else I’ve seen, even tho the others are terrific entertainers. I like Dom’s more serious portrayal.

    Comment by Becky — December 15, 2009 @ 5:36 pm

  16. John Michael Dias should play Frankie. Just sayin!

    Comment by Dylan — December 23, 2009 @ 1:29 pm

  17. If they do make this a film, they need to use Jarrod Spector from the current broadway cast to play Frankie Valli! Ive seen the original cast twice it it was good, but this current cast with Jarrod Spector BLOWS ALL THE OTHERS AWAY!!!!!! This role belongs to him!

    Comment by Raymond — February 22, 2010 @ 9:17 pm

  18. Joseph Leo Bwarie gets my vote for Frankie on film.

    Comment by Danette — May 11, 2010 @ 7:58 pm

  19. Ryan Molloy (JB LONDON) MUST get the Frankie role – he is uber amazing as Frankie and we love him!

    Comment by JBLondonfan — July 20, 2010 @ 9:58 am

  20. In 12 days in Des Moines Iowa (the Jersey Boys run was July 7th to 25th 2010)I saw the show THREE times… I could see it EVERY night. I saw John Michael Dias the second time and he is terrific, but still, the ONLY ONE for the part of Frankie Valli is Joseph Leo Bwarie. I went a THIRD time just so I could EXPERIENCE Joe’s performance ONE MORE TIME! Joseph Leo Bwarie IS IT… HE IS PERFECTION IN EVERY NOTE AND MOVE AND NUANCE.
    (Joe’s EYES are worth every cent of the price of admission…HE ROCKS MY BOAT AND GETS MY VOTE. Hurry up, Movie with Joe, let’s Go~
    MaryPat Eldredge-July 23,2010

    Comment by MaryPat — July 23, 2010 @ 2:08 pm

  21. I’m with those who prefer Dominic, saw him in Chicago, couldn’t believe I was at a musical with better acting than many plays I’ve seen, but with a great stage actor comes a dramatic shift in technique when they start film, you have to be smaller, you have to think “boring” in terms of stage acting, or else, you’ll definitely be overacting. This is a concept that is hard for many stage actors when it comes to filming, which is why a stage actor probably won’t be cast, but you really never know, there are some who have made a career out of both.

    Comment by Adam — August 10, 2010 @ 9:36 am

  22. Yeah..Joe Bwarie would definitely have to play Frankie in the movie. No doubt about that!

    Comment by Amy — January 25, 2011 @ 6:15 pm

  23. JARROD SPECTOR MUST MUST MUST MUST PLAY FRANKIE VALLI!!!! Nobody portray’s Frankie him like Jarrod. Ask anyone who’s seen both Jarrod Spector and John Lloyd Young play the part.

    Comment by Portia Lewis — May 11, 2011 @ 9:04 am

  24. After seeing Les Miserables, Tom Hooper should be considered as director. The movie is brilliant.

    Comment by Bob Parr — November 24, 2012 @ 6:27 pm

  25. [...] The Latest Update on Jersey Boys–The Movie · Jersey … – 24 Comments » As we patiently await the movie about the Jersey Boys, only one person can play Frankie Valli and play him to perfection and i think we all know who …… [...]

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