Sunset Boulevard (Starring Glenn Close)

[Britnasty]

Glenn Close-Led Sunset Boulevard Film Back in Motion with Rob Ashford at the Helm

Seven-time Oscar nominee Glenn Close will find new ways to dream this fall when filming begins on the long-gestating movie musical adaptation of Sunset Boulevard. Close, who earned her third Tony Award for her portrayal of Norma Desmond in the Tony-winning stage musical adaptation of Billy Wilder's original film, will reprise her turn in the movie musical, according to Daily Mail columnist Baz Bamigboye. Tony winner Rob Ashford (Frozen) has signed on to direct, with a screenplay to be adapted by Tom MacRae (Everybody's Talking About Jamie).

Featuring a score by Andrew Lloyd Webber and a book and lyrics by Christopher Hampton and Don Black, Sunset Boulevard tells the story of Norma Desmond (Close), an aging silent film star who recruits young writer Joe Gillis to help relaunch her career in the world of talking films. A reclusive shut-in, Desmond forms an unhealthy obsession with Gillis and soon demands he move into her lavish Hollywood mansion.

In addition to her acclaimed turn in the original 1994 Broadway production, Close reprised her performance as Norma Desmond in a 2017 Broadway revival.

Broadway

FINALLY!!!!

[MifuneFan]

She wants that Oscar bad.

[A Sith Lord?]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

She wants that Oscar bad.

Bring Sam Elliot on-board so they can both get theirs.

[Himmel]

Nice. Finally get the ball rolling.

[Hoke Moseley]

Glenn ain't f-cking around.

She'll get that Oscar or die trying.

[Monterey Jack]

SO sick of musicalized versions of non-musical movies.

[mikeinvegas7]

I want this SO bad for her, but I’m apprehensive.

[Falaskan]

Originally Posted by Hoke Moseley

Glenn ain't f-cking around.

She'll get that Oscar or die trying.

She just needs to reprise Cruella one more time.

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by Monterey Jack

SO sick of musicalized versions of non-musical movies.

Though the musical version has been around for 25 years (as a kid I used to see ads for it, so I knew about the Broadway show before the movie). Anyway, like The Producers and Hairspray, I wouldn’t really consider this to be a remake of the classic film, but rather an adaptation of the Broadway show.

[Monterey Jack]

I just find it annoying that, say, whenever someone refers to Les Miserables, everyone else thinks they're referring to the Broadway musical. There was a BOOK beforehand, you know...!

I want to see a non-musical version of a famous musical, like The Sound Of Music without songs.

[Member-275053]

Love you, Glennie. But, the last thing I want (or need) is a Sunset Boulevard musical on film.

[Todd Tomorrow]

Originally Posted by Monterey Jack

SO sick of musicalized versions of non-musical movies.

Someone always is sick of something on here.

At least turning a film into a musical brings something new to the movie. It's not a new thing either, lots of the classic movie musicals are remakes of non-musical movies: The Sound of Music, Cabaret, the Judy Garland A Star is Born, My Fair Lady, Little Shop of Horrors, High Society, The King and I and Sweet Charity to name just a few.

In any case, this is an adaptation of the stage musical which has been around forever.

[imsounoriginal]

Originally Posted by Monterey Jack

SO sick of musicalized versions of non-musical movies.

Yeah I'm not sure how good this sounds, but I'll keep an open mind.

[Hazel Motes]

Theres the film Sunset Boulevard. Then there's the Sunset Boulevard Broadway Musical based on the film. Now there is a film based on the musical, based on the movie.

Much like the oreo cookie that spawned an ice cream sandwich, that spawned a cookie based on the ice cream bar, based on the original cookie, I think the latter in both cases is completely unnecessary.

If I want the movie I'll watch the movie if I want the musical I'll watch the musical. Not all that interested in a new movie movie.

Also, as a side note, The Producers movie, based on the musical, based on the movie, is the first film I ever walked out on.

[Hazel Motes]

A lot of the big cinemas in the Vancouver area will often show stage musicals, opera ballet etc. I'd be more interest in seeing it that way than I would a movie. It's a stage musical, why can't it just stay as that. There's already a Sunset Boulevard film and this new one could be touched by the hand of God and it wouldn't even come within 1000 miles of the Wilder film.

[Dr Lenera]

No no no! Granted, I'm not familiar with the musical, but I can't see it musically being much good going by the standards of Webber's later output that I'm familiar with. And the Wilder film is a masterpiece. What's the darn point? I'm not even sure that it'll do well commercially so the whole thing seems ridiculous. Maybe I just hold Billy in too high regard....20 or so masterpieces to his name.

I never bothered with the Producers remake. Should I? Is it musically strong for a start?... which for me is one of the most important things in a musical. I want to have the tunes in my head for days afterwards....

[Cremildo]

R.I.P.

[billydillydilly]

Shhhhh- You'll wake up the monkey!

[slumcat]

Thank god. The sole reason for this movie ever getting made was to get Close an Oscar. That’s it.

[DanTheMan]

Originally Posted by slumcat

Thank god. The sole reason for this movie ever getting made was to get Close an Oscar. That’s it.

Hopefully it would’ve also lured the newer generation of moviegoers to seek out the 1950 film. It’s a classic.

Sadly, there are people out there who probably haven’t heard of respected titles of the past, and actually require a remake/adaptation to be announced in order for it to even be on their radar, aside from word of mouth from friends.

Case in point, Spielberg’s WSS adaptation will in all likelihood gain new viewers who would’ve otherwise never bothered with that property, simply because…..it’s Spielberg, and he’ll likely improve on the previous film on a larger scale.