Casting Coup Tuesdays: Sunset Boulevard

I know it's been driving my girlfriend crazy, but ever since discovering it, Sunset Blvd. has been on repeat in my head. This ain't just the Billy Wilder film I'm talking about here, but the Andrew Lloyd Weber musical from the early 90s. Some people hate it, but then some people just plain hate ALW. I love him, and I love the musical (though I admit the titular song leaves much to be desired). As we speak, three songs from the soundtrack are among my iTunes' Top 25 Most Played -- Max's solo "The Greatest Star of All" at 13 times, the signature tune "With One Look" at 17 times, and Norma's triumphant Act Two solo "As If We Never Said Goodbye" at a whopping 27 times. I've watched YouTube clips of Glenn Close, Patti Lupone, Elaine Paige, and personal favorite Betty Buckley taking the stage as that great silent screen siren, Norma Desmond. I am, as they say, obsessed.

The movie version, of course, isn't far away from my mind...but how long must I wait? Since 2005, we've been hearing news that a film adaptation of the Tony-winning musical is in the works, but no movement has been made. In 2007, it was rumored that Meryl (of fucking course) was in contention for the lead, alongside Glenn Close (who won the Tony for this role) and Barbra Streisand. Naturally, whoever gets the role is probably a guaranteed an Oscar nom, so all the old divas are champing at the bit for this part. And surely, the role of Norma must be played by a STAR, a DIVA, a FACE.

But what of the others? What of cynical, handsome narrator Joe Gillis, the protagonist of the piece? What of ingenue Betty, a pretty girl with (gasp!) a brain? Or the mysterious Slavic manservant Max, fanatically devoted to Norma? What of the rest of the supporting cast? I've given it some thought, of course. I leave it to you to decide if I've made the right choice:

MANFRED

Who is He: The tailor Norma calls in to dress Joe on his birthday. A pompous, opportunistic guy.

Song:

The Lady's Payin'

My Choice: 

George Hearn (Flags of Our Fathers, The Pagemaster)

He won the Tony for originating the role of Max. This is the original George in La Cage aux Folles on Broadway, too, so he can bring out Manfred's showmanship. It'd be a fun cameo for everyone!


SHELDRAKE
Who is He: A studio executive who Joe tries to sell a screenplay to. It doesn't over so well. A scheming, cigar-chopping schmuck. He also is the one who wants Norma's car for a movie.

Song:

Let's Have Lunch (4:42 in)

Originally played by:

Fred Clark (Auntie Mame, Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine)

My Choice:

Barry Bostwick (The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Evening)
Bostwick has a thing now for playing those sleazy exec types. To see him singing with a cigar-chomping relish would be too delightful to pass up. Plus, it's a comic role that requires great timing, and Bostwick is a learned comic actor.


CECIL B. DEMILLE
Who is He: The man, the myth, the legend. Working on Samson and Delilah, he receives an on-set visit from old friend Norma Desmond, who hopes for a comeback with her favorite director. DeMille is not so keen on the idea, much as he loves her.

Songs:

Paramount Conversations, Surrender [Reprise] (3:00 in)

Originally played by: Academy Award Winner for Best Picture (The Greatest Show on Earth)

Cecil B. DeMille (Star Spangled Rhythm, The Ten Commandments)

My Choice: Academy Award Winner/Golden Globe Nominee for Best Actor [in a Drama] (American Beauty) and Best Supporting Actor (The Usual Suspects), BAFTA Award/SAG Award Winner for Best Actor (American Beauty), Golden Globe Nominee for Best Actor in a Drama (The Shipping News) and Best Actor in a Musical/Comedy (Swimming with Sharks), Indie Spirit Nominee for Best Actor (Swimming with Sharks), SAG Award Winner for Best Ensemble (American Beauty)

Kevin Spacey (Beyond the Sea, Moon)
With some makeup, why not? He's got a younger resemblance to the man, and he can sing. A cameo like this is in keeping with the effect the DeMille appearance gives anyway.


ARTIE GREEN
Who is He: An assistant director at Paramount. Artie is old friends with Joe, and is engaged to young writer Betty Schaefer. While the two work on a screenplay together, Artie is away on a set. He's a genuinely nice guy who hopes to marry Betty and raise a family with her. He hosts the New Year's Eve party that closes Act One.

Songs:

Let's Have Lunch, Every Movie's a Circus [Reprise], This Time Next Year (his part is at 1:16)

Originally played by:

Far R: Jack Webb (The Men, "Dragnet")

My Choice:

Jason Segel (Can't Hardly Wait, Knocked Up)
Well, I mean, he can sing pretty well. And look at him! I don't know of many actors that just proclaim Nice Guy the way Jason Segel does, while at the same looking old enough to know both Joe and the way the studio schmoozing works.


BETTY SCHAEFER
Who is She: A script girl who works for Sheldrake, she has dreams of becoming an actual screenwriter. She believes Joe is writing pieces that are below his abilities, and suggests a collaboration. The two work on a screenplay together, and eventually become more than just colleagues. She's a sweet girl, engaged to Artie, but surprised by her attraction to Joe. Don't worry, she's more than just an ingenue -- this dame's got spunk, and is willing to call crap crap.

Songs:

Let's Have Lunch, Every Movie's a Circus, Every Movie's a Circus [Reprise], Girl Meets Boy, This Time Next Year, Paramount Conversations, Girl Meets Boy [Reprise], Betty's Office at Paramount, Too Much in Love to Care, The Final Scene

Originally played by: Academy Award Nominee for Best Supporting Actress (Sunset Blvd.)

 Nancy Olson (The AbsentMinded Professor, Airport 1975)

My Choice: Academy Award/Golden Globe/Indie Spirit/SAG Award/Hollmann Award Nominee for Best Actress [in a Drama] (Rachel Getting Married), SAG Award Nominee for Best Ensemble (Brokeback Mountain)

Anne Hathaway (The Princess Diaries, Becoming Jane)
She's still young and wholesome-seeming enough to play Betty, but she's also smart and tough enough to play Betty. Because Betty is all things sexy and great. And she's a brunette, which means she doesn't seem slutty.


MAX
Who is He: Norma's devoted manservant/chauffeur, with a secret of his own. An awesome, sad secret. Best role.

Songs:

Greatest Star of All, Back at the House on Sunset, New Year's Eve, Paramount Conversations, New Ways to Dream [Reprise], The Final Scene

Originally played by: Academy Award/Golden Globe Nominee for Best Supporting Actor (Sunset Blvd.)

 Erich von Stroheim (The Grand Illusion, Alraune)

My Choice: Academy Award Winner for Best Supporting Actor (A Fish Called Wanda), BAFTA Award Nominee for Best Actor (A Fish Called Wanda), Golden Globe Nominee for Best Actor in a Musical/Comedy (Soapdish, Dave, In & Out, De-Lovely), SAG Award Nominee for Best Actor (Life as a House)

Kevin Kline (The Big Chill, French Kiss)
Of course, I don't expect Oscar to notice, since they already missed out on Soapdish and De-Lovely. Anyway. He can do accents, he can sing, and he can bring gravitas. I'd love to see him in this role, especially at the end.


JOE GILLIS
Who is He: The protagonist, who starts out shot to death in a swimming pool. He then narrates the circumstances that got him there: hack writer on the run from debt-collectors takes advantage of an aging actress...unaware that she brings her own special brand of crazy to the mix. He becomes a kept man, but starts to fall in love with his friend's fiancee, Betty. A cynic and opportunist.

Songs:

I Guess It Was 5 AM, Let's Have Lunch, Every Movie's a Circus, At the House on Sunset, Salome, Every Movie's a Circus [Reprise], Girl Meets Boy, Back at the House on Sunset, New Ways to Dream, Completion of the Script, The Lady's Paying, New Year's Eve, The Perfect Year, This Time Next Year, New Year's Eve [Back at the House on Sunset], Sunset Boulevard, Journey to Paramount, Paramount Conversations, Girl Meets Boy [Reprise], Who's Betty Schaefer?, Betty's Office at Paramount, Too Much in Love to Care, The Final Scene

Originally played by: Academy Award Winner for Best Actor (Stalag 17), BAFTA Award Nominee for Best Actor (Network) and Best Foreign Actor (Picnic)

William Holden (Executive Suite, The Towering Inferno)

My Choice: Academy Award/BAFTA Award/Indie Spirit/SAG Award Nominee for Best Actor (The Hurt Locker), Indie Spirit Nominee for Best Actor (Dahmer), SAG Award Nominee for Best Ensemble (The Hurt Locker)

Jeremy Renner (North Country, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford)
He's manly, he's young-looking, he can sing. He's also played complicated characters before, and can be mesmerizingly subtle in establishing whole character histories. What a great fucking actor.


NORMA DESMOND
Who is She: Siren of the silent cinema. Holed up in her mansion on Sunset Blvd., the lady's crazy, and has written a huge opus about 16-year-old Salome as a vehicle for herself...though she's over 50. Jealous and possessive, she keeps Joe for herself, employing him to help finish her screenplay...and falling crazy in love with him. Norma is a wealthy woman, and was even a great talent, but that can't buy you sanity. One of the most iconic screen characters in all of cinema history.

Songs:

Surrender (2:28), With One Look (5:43), Salome, New Ways to Dream, Completion of the Script, The Lady's Paying, The Perfect Year, New Year's Eve [Back at the House on Sunset], There's Been a Call [The Perfect Year - Reprise], Journey to Paramount, As If We Never Said Goodbye, Paramount Conversations, The Phone Call, The Final Scene

Originally played by: Academy Award Nominee for Best Actress (Sadie Thompson, The Trespasser, Sunset Blvd.), Golden Globe Winner for Best Actress in a Drama (Sunset Blvd.)

Gloria Swanson (Zaza, Father Takes a Wife)

My Choice: Academy Award/BAFTA Award/Golden Globe Winner for Best Actress [in a Musical/Comedy] (Cabaret)

Liza Minnelli (The Sterile Cuckoo, Sex and the City 2)
Yes, it absolutely needs to be a diva. And remember, people: Liza can frickin' act. Even on "Arrested Development", we could see that she'd lost none of her timing. Ten years too old? Fuck, just change the word "fifty" to "sixty". It's easy as that.

Casting Coup: Footloose

Maybe it's because I flove Kevin Bacon. Maybe it's because I did the show twice -- once in sixth grade, then again my senior year of high school. Maybe it's because I just really dig the music.

The fact is, the prospect of a Footloose remake had me excited. Zac Efron, who I admire and respect as a talented singer and charismatic actor (those who say differently: quit hating on the popular kids -- it's sad), was cast as Ren, and surely if anyone could take the reigns from Mr. Bacon, it was Troy Bolton. Kenny Ortega, who co-choreographed my second favorite movie-musical Xanadu, would be directing and choreographing. And it was to be a musical, which meant we would actually get the film version of the stage show, notable for making Ren's mom and the Reverend's wife into actual characters.

Then Zefron dropped out. And then it was announced that the songs would all be original, so this would not be a stage-to-screen adaptation. And I got sad.

I hadn't heard anything about it for a while, so I looked it up today. And realized that I really need to pay attention to all movie news. I had no idea the role of Ren was recast in May. Nor did I know that the role of Ariel, the love interest, had been cast in June. I could kick myself for being so out of the loop. Any later and I'd be Juno.

So....

REN MCCORMACK
Who is He: The new kid in town who wants to dance...BUT DANCING'S A CRIME! In the musical version, he raps the law out of the legislature. Which is an interesting choice.

Originally played by: Golden Globe Nominee for Best Supporting Actor (The River Wild), SAG Award Winner for Best Ensemble (Apollo 13)

Kevin Bacon (Frost/Nixon, Mystic River)
Dance, Kev, dance!

Now played by:

Chace Crawford (TV's Gossip Girl, The Covenant)
We like Chace here at the SSR. But we also can't help but notice that he looks more or less like a taller Zac Efron. Playing it safe. Playing it pretty. I know he's a little older, but wouldn't Robert Hoffman be fun in this part? Hold that thought....


ARIEL MOORE
Who is She: The reverend's daughter. She's also a rebel! Look out for Miss Hot Pants, she's a live wire!

Originally played by: Golden Globe Winner for Best Ensemble (Short Cuts)

Lori Singer (The Falcon and the Snowman, Trouble in Mind)

Now played by:

Julianne Hough (TV's Dancing with the Stars)
Yes, so far Hough is best-known as one of the female dance partners on Dancing with the Stars. Don't worry, she's taking acting classes.

The film is slated for release June 10, 2010. And only two of the principals are cast. You know what's about to happen, right?

That's right. It's a dream cast for Footloose! CASTING COUP...ASSEMBLE!


CHUCK CRANSTON
Who is He: Oh, just the town bully. A roughneck among rednecks. Dates Ariel, but apparently he's all abusive. And stuff. In the MUSICAL (which they should totally do), he sings "The Girl Gets Around". You know the song?

"The girl gets around
She knows what she likes
I got what she needs
Just wait 'til tonight
We'll both make our move
Yeah, we'll cover some ground
The girl gets around, around, around, around, around, around
Good GOD, this girl gets around!"

Sex, sex, sex. My parents were right. My generation is definitely the more overtly sexual.

Originally played by:

Jim Youngs

My Choice:

Robert Hoffman (Step Up 2 the Streets, She's the Man)
Yes, he's almost thirty, but that doesn't stop Eric Christian Olsen from playing high schoolers. Come on. You know you want to see this. You're thinking..."YES! YES YES YES! YES YES YESYESYES! YES YES YES! YES! YES YES YES!"


ETHEL MCCORMACK
Who is She: Ren's mother. That's all she is in the film. In the MUSICAL (man, I hope they decide to do that), she gets a duet with Vi about how she wants to speak her mind.

Originally played by: Frances Lee McCain

My Choice: Academy Award Winner for Best Supporting Actress (L.A. Confidential), BAFTA Award Nominee for Best Actress (L.A. Confidential), Golden Globe Winner for Best Supporting Actress (L.A. Confidential), SAG Award Winner for Best Supporting Actress (L.A. Confidential)

Kim Basinger (Batman, The Informers)
Okay, so this is funny. While browsing through movie news, I saw on IMDb's Footloose page the news item: "Basinger to play Zac Efron's Mom". And I thought to myself, "Curious." As it turns out, it's a different movie altogether, and is on IMDb's Footloose page because it mentions how Zac dropped out of the musical to do this movie, I think. Anyway, The idea of Basinger in this role just wouldn't leave me, and after discovering that she does, in fact, have a beautiful voice, I went with it. Much to my surprise. I'm not a huge Basinger fan, but somet hings just feel right. This is one of those times.

RUSTY
Who is She: Ariel's best friend. Loves the a-rhythmic Willard. Also sings a number of songs at random: "Somebody's Eyes", "Let's Hear It for the Boy", "Holding Out for a Hero". You know, the good stuff.

Originally played by: Golden Globe Nominee for Best Actress in a Musical/Comedy (The Family Stone)

Sarah Jessica Parker (Sex and the City, Girls Just Want to Have Fun)

My Choice: SAG Award Nominee for Best Ensemble (Bobby)

Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Sky High, Live Free or Die Hard)
Oh, man, I don't even know if she can sing. Maybe this wasn't the best choice. Except that she's really, really hot. And a good actress. Could she be too pretty? Maybe if they gave her glasses. That's movie shorthand for not pretty. Okay, I just looked it up -- she did Broadway musicals. She's in.


WILLARD HEWITT III
Who is He: Ren's friend in town, a guy who can't dance and appears to be reluctantly enamored of Rusty. He does love his Mama, though. At least, in the MUSICAL (hey, that'd be a good film, too!).

Originally played by: Golden Globe Winner for Best Ensemble (Short Cuts)

Chris Penn (Rush Hour, Corky Romano)

My Choice:

Chris Warren, Jr. (High School Musical 3: Senior Year, Love & Basketball)
Young, talented, and has yet to make a name for himself outside of the High School Musical series. And true, maybe playing a supporting role in a high school-set musical starring Zefron's older brother isn't the way to go. But, uh, still. You know.


VI MOORE
Who is She: The reverend's much put-upon wife. She is the heart and conscious of the story, leading both daughter and husband to the correct path when they veer too far off. Best damn role in the movie, really. The one in the MUSICAL WHICH THEY SHOULD DO ain't shabby either.

Originally played by: Academy Award Winner for Best Supporting Actress (Hannah and Her Sisters, Bullets Over Broadway), BAFTA Award Nominee for Best Supporting Actres (Radio Days), Golden Globe Winner for Best Supporting Actress (Bullets Over Broadway), SAG Award Winner for Best Supporting Actress (Bullets Over Broadway) and Best Ensemble (The Birdcage)

Dianne Wiest (Synecdoche, New York, Dan in Real Life)
Sometimes, I think I should've given Samantha Morton's spot at this year's Hollmann Awards to Dianne Wiest. But is that just, or just fanboyosity? Morton was pretty B.A. in that movie, after all.

My Choice: Academy Award Nominee for Best Actress (Transamerica), Golden Globe Winner for Best Actress in a Drama (Transamerica), SAG Award Nominee for Best Actress (Transamerica)

Felicity Huffman (Hackers, Magnolia)
Hardest role to cast, really. I wanted someone who could sing, though Vi only has one song, and it's not the most difficult piece in the world. I also wanted someone who could conceivably give birth to Julianne Hough. I went through many: Michelle Pfeiffer (too pretty), Patricia Clarkson (too sexy), Allison Janney (don't like her voice), Hope Davis (can she sing?), Embeth Davidtz (can she sing?). Last night, I went to bed thinking maybe Felicity could do it. But then this morning I thought maybe Marcia Gay Harden could do it, too. I submitted the problem to my roommate -- who, strangely enough, also suggested Michelle Pfeiffer and Embeth Davidtz, before I explained I had two finalists -- and we decided. It must be Felicity Huffman, who is pretty, but could convincingly play a small-town preacher's wife. Also, she sang back-up for Tina Turner once.


REVEREND SHAW MOORE
Who is He: Oh, the town may have a mayor (actually...does it?), but we know who's really in charge. Shaken by the death of his son, Shaw goes on a religious crusade, banning dance and secular music. In the MUSICAL, he gets most of the original songs, huge monologues set to music. I know: most solos are just that. But I mean...they really sound like a guy droning on while music plays. On the original cast album, at least. In both productions I was in, the reverend was perfect.

Originally played by: Academy Award Nominee for Best Supporting Actor (The World According to Garp, Terms of Endearment)

John Lithgow (Confessions of a Shopaholic, Harry and the Hendersons)
And much as I would love to see him reprise this role, it being a rare, restrained performance, I sha'n't pollute this version with visions of the past.

My Choice: Academy Award Winner for Best Actor (American Beauty) and Best Supporting Actor (The Usual Suspects), BAFTA Award Winner for Best Actor (American Beauty), Golden Globe Nominee for Best Actor in a Drama (American Beauty, The Shipping News), Best Actor in a Musical/Comedy (Beyond the Sea) and Best Supporting Actor (The Usual Suspects), SAG Award Winner for Best Actor (American Beauty) and Best Ensemble (American Beauty)

Kevin Spacey (Moon, L.A. Confidential)
Phenomenal actor. He can sing, he can do accents, he's a class act. Not even the great Maggie Smith has won every Oscar she's been nominated for. Kevin Spacey? Walk in the park.

***

Oh, if only they would get that cast to join Chace and Julianne. That's a movie I'd see in theaters twice. If it was the MUSICAL, I mean.

Cheri Avec Musique?

As of this writing, Moon, Cheri, and Whatever Works are all playing at the local art-house/indie-loving theater. I will see them within the next week or so. Whatever. Curiously enough, the one I am most eager to see is neither the interesting sci-fi pic with Kevin Spacey as a robot (oh...and Sam Rockwell? I guess?), nor is it the newest film from my favorite living director starring my favorite supporting actress.

No, I am eagerly anticipating Cheri, and for a number of reasons.


There is, of course, the potential for Michelle Pfeiffer's Oscar campaign for Best Actress. I have a personal stake in this, as I have predicted her to fill one of the five slots at the Oscar ceremonies. If this turns out to be true, and all the other predictions I made happen, than I may win stuff. And winning stuff is AWESOME.


The presence of Kathy Bates also spices things up a bit. Because she spices things up a bit. With her formidable presence and kick-assery.


Then there's the fact that I'm currently reading The Last of Cheri, the sequel to the novel...Cheri. Which I just finished (they're very short books, 120 pages each). This is getting me more excited, for I am loving Colette's style. I'm new to this world of hers -- I've never even seen Gigi -- and discovering an author that doesn't irritate me (I'm looking at you, John Carlin) is always a delight.

Finally, and this is most important, there appears to be a (completely unrelated to the movie) STAGE MUSICAL in the works! From what I can gather, it has only been seen as a kind of concert -- or showcase, as the publicity people call it. Eighteen original songs, seems to be British...a curiosity piece, for sure. Check it out on MySpace.

First Coraline, now Cheri. Coincidence? Or opportunistic lyricist/composers taking an opportunity? You know, as opportunists are wont to do?