Sam Mendes, Norman Jewison (along with a few others )held meetings with Sir Andrew Years ago. Andrew was interested in Sam Mendes at one time as the director but now would rather see Ron Howard in the directors chair. Can't blame Andrew there.
It should be known that Norman Jewsion declined as well as the original Musical director Trevor Nunn.
Because of certain rights of this very risky venture this movie will be produced by two studios Paramount (which owns the title and the original movie) and Universal Studios. This is not uncommon. Universal Music Group distributes all of the catalog music of Andrew Lloyd Webber's. Its sister company (Universal Studios)is interested in a joint production with Paramount. Ron Meyer who runs Universal would like to see this go into production soon.
Ron Howard has his production company (IMAGINE) happens to be located on the Universal Lot. The movie could be made soon but because of the cost, (and problems with casting)have stopped Norma from Returning to the Screen.
It is well known that Ron Howard loves BIG MOVIES WITH A HUGE CAST. He has been wanting to direct a musical for some time. He is a fan of the Broadway musical Sunset Blvd.
According to executives at the "Black Tower", "Paramount" insist that Barbra Streisand be cast as Norma. PARAMOUNT has said that Barbra Streisand is the only female star who could sell this movie. However casting Barbra is an issue with Universal & Ron Howard. Universal wants Meryl Streep. Ron Howard wants Glenn Close.
What stops Universal from wanting Barbra is the fact Barbra Streisand does very limited press for any project she is involved in. Universal had involvement with Barbra before. Universal did distribute "Meet The Fockers". Yes it was a DREAMWORKS film but in 2004 Universal did distribute Dreamworks movies which included "Meet the Fockers" which starred Barbra Streisand and she did almost no press. She refused to do the normal press junket.
Universal thinks "Sunset" is a movie that will need a ton of press outside the United States to become a hit. Most Major actors do the talk show rounds when their movies are released in the United States. Barbra Streisand doesn't do them hardly at all. In fact she has never been on Jay Leno or David Letterman. She most likely wouldn't do them to promote "Sunset Blvd.".
What also could be stalling the movie on the Universal Side is
*The original movie property itself is not well known by today's audience.
*The Broadway Musical closed over 10 years ago and there is no revival in sight.
*Nobody seems to want a revival.
What is known
*Casting Streisand to them is a huge mistake. Not because of her age but because her refusal of doing any type of press. In the case of press junkets Barbra has never done one and most likely never will. If cast she most likely only give 2 interviews if there lucky.
*If Glenn Close is cast she does do the talk show rounds and she is always a welcomed guest on all talk shows.
Paramount thinks "Meet The Fockers" was a huge international hit because of Streisand. "Paramount" does have final casting approval if they have any part on the financing of the movie.
Now what so funny is that PARAMOUNT GOT PATTI LUPONE PUSHED OUT OF THE BROADWAY RUN IN WHICH THEY MADE ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER FIRE PATTI LUPONE AND HIRE GLENN CLOSE. SO GLENN CLOSE WAS CAST FOR THE BROADWAY RUN.
Now Patti Lupone did get mixed reviews in London's West End Production however when the played opened in Los Angles a few months later with Glenn Close (that production was re-worked from the London Version) that production & Glenn got rave reviews. Patti Lupone was still selling out on the Original London Production however she was fired before the show came to Broadway. The Los Angles production ran 7 months. It closed and went on to Broadway and set a record for advance pre-sale tickets.
15 years later History is repeating itself with Paramount Pictures & "Sunset Blvd". NOW Glenn Close finds herself in Patti Lupones shoes. Paramount wants to push her out, and put in a bigger star.(Echos of Patti Lupone) Glenn Close only signed on to do the original Broadway Run (after her success in Los Angles) to begin with because she was promised she would get to play Norma in a movie version if one was ever made.
Ron Howard wants Glenn Close. He worked with her in "The Paper" and he loved her as Norma. He was there in Los Angles on opening night. Plus let's face it Glenn did win "A TONY" award for playing the role.
If Meryl Streep or Barbra Streisand is cast as Norma Ron Howard will not direct or have any involvement with the movie. Ron Howard has been wanting to direct this for years. It will be hard for him to walk away but he will.
Universal Studios(which would distribute the movie outside the United States) does favor Meryl because "THEY THINK" she has proven she can bring people to see a musical. Meryl Streep of course was in "MAMMA MIA". It is one of the biggest hits Universal has ever had. Its World Wide Box Office is over $550,000,000 million so you can't blame Universal for wanting Meryl Streep.
Christopher Hampton is re-working his book into a screenplay. He also wants to direct if Ron Howard declines. Christopher Hampton also wants to rework a few songs plus drop a couple as well. The biggest change is he wants to bring back from the workshop edition of "Sunset Blvd" the song "A Lasting Impression". It could be the whole song or just part of it. This would take the place of "The Lady's Paying" or might bookend that song. "A Lasting Impression" also brings Norma into the number doing Charlie Chaplin drag. One thing is for certain the song this time will take place inside the "Men's Clothing Store" as it did in the 1950 Original.
Casting a Joe Gillis without a Norma in place is a problem. Even if there is a Norma in place nobody has an idea on who to cast. However A BIG NAME is needed for this role. Hugh Jackman isn't interested! Someone that is Internationally known needs to be cast. Casting Betty isn't as hard. The part of Betty 2 names keep getting thrown around. They are Emmy Rossum & Amanda Seyfried. Emmy Rossum was in the "Phantom of the Opera Movie ", and Amanda Seyfried was in the "MAMMA MIA Movie".
People mentioned for MAX is Ben Kingsley, Daniel Benzali, and Anthony Hopkins.
The part of Cecil B. DeMille is rumored to go to none other than Albert Finney. However chances are whoever doesn't get to play Max out of Anthony, Ben, or Daniel one of them will most likely play Cecil B. DeMille.
If Ron Howard doesn't direct then "Gold Circle" (Tom Hanks Company)most likely will get involved and produce the movie in conjunction with Paramount Pictures and Universal Studios. However "GOLD CIRCLE" is also based on the Universal Lot. Tom Hanks is great friends with Ron Howard so he wants Ron Howard but again if no Glenn Close no Ron Howard. Keep in mind Gold Circle also produced "MAMMA MIA". Its more then likely that if Gold Circle produces the movie then Meryl Streep has the role.
Another problem is the cost of the movie. Paramount doesn't want to spend over $20,000,000. (They only want release rights for The United States) So Paramount will only invest that amount. Plus they want Streisand. Paramount will not sell off the USA FILM RIGHTS. They can't even if they wanted too. The Really Useful Group Still has an option to make the movie that doesn't expire until 2013 but they have to make it with cooperation of Paramount.
Paramount will RELEASE THE MOVIE if an outside production company steps in and finances the entire production if Streisand is not cast. Universal doesn't want to finance the movie on its own. If Andrew Lloyd Webber wants the movie to be made his company can produce the movie. Paramount will still have release rights for North America.
According to one producer A musical version of "SUNSET BLVD." will cost around $70,000,000 if not more. Because Paramount only wants to spend $20,000,000 on the movie Universal will have to pay $50,000,000. Universal will only match what Paramount is willing to spend & that's all!
Paramount has already invested in the original musical production and they are still barely out of the red from that! Paramount also would not see a dime from CD SALES Universal would.
If the movie is to be made at $70M the rest of the funding will have to come from another producer or a third party.
Paramount has told Andrew Lloyd Webber and REALLY USEFUL GROUP that if he wants a movie made now or in the very near future then he should "Produce the film himself". This is possible. Andrew Lloyd Webber's Company THE REALLY USEFUL GROUP financed the production of "The Phantom of the Opera". Warner Brothers only released the "Phantom" movie.
If THE REALLY USEFUL GROUP does produce the movie alone they will have 100% control over the entire production. They will not need casting approval from anyone. However after the box office disappointment of "Phantom of the Opera" its very unlikely that THE REALLY USEFUL GROUP will foot the entire production.
Paramount (Since the Sherry Lansing days) has always seen a VERY limited audience for "Sunset". So has Universal. Today at Paramount they think "MAMMA MIA" was a hit not because of "MERYL STREEP" but "the songs" in the movie were the stars. According to Paramount you didn't have to be a fan of the Broadway show to know the music & songs of "MAMMA MIA".
"Sunset Blvd." is a different animal. Outside of its small core of Broadway fans, the score is not well known. Paramount sees this as a huge problem. That is why they only want Streisand Cast as Norma. To them Barbra singing anything will get an audience. To quote Paramount "What good is a musical when most of the population can not name one song from the Broadway Show"? "Even the Original Movie is not that well known to anybody under 40". So they are sticking to their only choice of Streisand.
Paramount has stated before that "Sweeney Todd", "Phantom of the Opera", "The Producers", "Rent", & "Evita", that none of them were huge hits. That is why they are sticking to $20,000,000.
Its also not helping that Universal is still smarting over "The Producers"
So both studios want to keep the price down on the movie. IF the movie can be made for $40,000,000 it will get made soon.
I for one am waiting for Norma's Close up Mr DeMille.
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