Mama Mia Ruined it for Everyone! The Musical is Making A Comeback - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 08-01-2009, 03:20 PM

Universal sang from the mountaintops after the $600 million global success of the Abba musical "Mamma Mia!" last year. Now the studio could be belting them out about a very different figure: Jesus.

The studio and producer Marc Platt are in active development on a remake of "Jesus Christ Superstar." And there's a director -- at first surprising, but not without its logic -- who Platt and the studio have been talking to: Marc Webb.

The "(500) Days of Summer" helmer, whose stock has been soaring after the success of his breakout breakup pic, has been engaged in a series of talks over the past few months to helm the Uni revival. Platt wants Webb for his, well, passion project, and the Gersh- and Anonymous-repped Webb is keen to do it, though those familiar with the project said the studio and Webb are not in active negotiations at the moment.

Webb's not necessarily the first director who comes to mind when one thinks of “Jesus." Norman Jewison’s original film was released in 1973, a year after Tim Rice's and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Broadway show became a media sensation (for reasons having to do with both the show's acclaim and ripples of controversy). There is an element of subversiveness to the story, which looks at the last weeks of Jesus’ life — particularly the disappointments and internal conflicts of Judas Iscariot.

The story, though, is generally is seen as decidedly a product of the ’70s, with some characters played as hippies. And Webb, well, he's a product of the modern era, fashioning a career out of stylish but emotionally potent music videos for the likes of Green Day (and then, of course, the musical melancholy of "Summer").

But Webb has long had an affinity for the project, a rock opera that (perhaps a little like parts of "Summer") mixes spiritual uplift with the pop-music type. And just as Jewison's involvement brought a '70s sensibility to the original, Webb could bring a modern, hipstery take.

Besides, there are movie-musical roots in “Summer." In one standout scene, Joseph Gordon-Levitt dances down the streets of downtown Los Angeles to Hall & Oates’ “You Make My Dreams” as a posse forms to dance around him. It's whimsical, it's funny and -- most important if you're doing a musical -- it's elaborately choreographed.

In that scene, Gordon-Levitt’s character is celebrating the first time he and girlfriend Summer (Zooey Deschanel) have slept together. Which we guess is a different kind of religious experience

http://www.riskybusinessblog.com/200...marc-webb.html

Dr. Thong · 08-01-2009, 03:23 PM

Damn you to hell, Abba!

Brian Damage · 08-01-2009, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

Damn you to hell, Abba!

08-01-2009, 03:20 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Mama Mia Ruined it for Everyone! The Musical is Making A Comeback Universal sang from the mountaintops after the $600 million global success of the Abba musical "Mamma Mia!" last year. Now the studio could be belting them out about a very different figure: Jesus. The studio and producer Marc Platt are in active development on a remake of "Jesus Christ Superstar." And there's a director -- at first surprising, but not without its logic -- who Platt and the studio have been talking to: Marc Webb. The "(500) Days of Summer" helmer, whose stock has been soaring after the success of his breakout breakup pic, has been engaged in a series of talks over the past few months to helm the Uni revival. Platt wants Webb for his, well, passion project, and the Gersh- and Anonymous-repped Webb is keen to do it, though those familiar with the project said the studio and Webb are not in active negotiations at the moment. Webb's not necessarily the first director who comes to mind when one thinks of “Jesus." Norman Jewison’s original film was released in 1973, a year after Tim Rice's and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Broadway show became a media sensation (for reasons having to do with both the show's acclaim and ripples of controversy). There is an element of subversiveness to the story, which looks at the last weeks of Jesus’ life — particularly the disappointments and internal conflicts of Judas Iscariot. The story, though, is generally is seen as decidedly a product of the ’70s, with some characters played as hippies. And Webb, well, he's a product of the modern era, fashioning a career out of stylish but emotionally potent music videos for the likes of Green Day (and then, of course, the musical melancholy of "Summer"). But Webb has long had an affinity for the project, a rock opera that (perhaps a little like parts of "Summer") mixes spiritual uplift with the pop-music type. And just as Jewison's involvement brought a '70s sensibility to the original, Webb could bring a modern, hipstery take. Besides, there are movie-musical roots in “Summer." In one standout scene, Joseph Gordon-Levitt dances down the streets of downtown Los Angeles to Hall & Oates’ “You Make My Dreams” as a posse forms to dance around him. It's whimsical, it's funny and -- most important if you're doing a musical -- it's elaborately choreographed. In that scene, Gordon-Levitt’s character is celebrating the first time he and girlfriend Summer (Zooey Deschanel) have slept together. Which we guess is a different kind of religious experience http://www.riskybusinessblog.com/200...marc-webb.html
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

08-01-2009, 03:23 PM	#2
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	Damn you to hell, Abba!
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."