http://www.aintitcool.com...i?id=19110

Variety ran a story today about how Bill Condon’s going to be directing his screenplay for DREAMGIRLS, and I have to say... it’s news that’s been in the works for a while, and I’ve had my fingers crossed that everything would work out. Now, thankfully, it has.
Condon’s screenplay for CHICAGO was the thing that solved the long-malingering development issues on that film and finally got it the greenlight, and as much as Rob Marshall got lionized for that picture, it was Condon who made all the choices that turned that into a film and not just a stage revue in front of a camera. The idea that he’s going to direct a musical that he scripts is pretty tremendous. I’m enormously fond of KINSEY, and I think he’s one of those guys who grows as a filmmaker each time out. I know he’s an enormous fan of the musical form in general, and he’s very particular about what he likes and what he doesn’t. He shares my admiration for Alan Parker’s criminally underrated EVITA, for example. DREAMGIRLS is a great foundation, and I can’t wait to see what he makes of it. David Geffen’s been enormously protective of this material for a long time, so it speaks volumes that he’s finally ready to let someone step up and make the movie.
For those not familiar with the piece, which is basically a fictionalized account of the story of the Supremes and Diana Ross, here's the description of it from the VARIETY piece:
The film will retain Tom Eyen's book and lyrics and Henry Krieger's music.

Director-choreographer Michael Bennett, whose work was considered groundbreaking at the time, died in 1987.

[Condon said he expects] to cast a star in the role of Curtis Taylor Jr., the Svengali who discovers singing group the Dreams and guides them to fame. They'll likely taptap the rich crop of young singers for at least one member of the Dreams trio, but said they are open to creating a star, as the original musical did with Jennifer Holliday, who won a Tony for her show-stopping turn as Effie Melody White.

Yeah, but you have to wonder who they're going to get to star. "They'll likely taptap the rich crop of young singers for at least one member of the Dreams trio, but said they are open to creating a star, as the original musical did with Jennifer Holliday, who won a Tony for her show-stopping turn as Effie Melody White."

"Open to creating a new star"? Unlikely, considering that the studio will want established wattage for a picture like this. So who will the rich crop of young singers be - Bayawnsay, Ashitty, and Christina Milian? Maybe they'll try Alicia Keys.

It's a long way from Jennifer Holliday, that's for sure.

VoicesCarry said:

bill condon usually has strict rights to decisions for his films....he was talking about this pushing Kinsley....if he has been working on this for a while something tells me he isnt going to let the studios interfer with it.....the fact that he mentions this leads me to think that is the studio agreement..one big star and two who Condon picks...on his own accord.

I love Bill Condon, and Kinsey was one of my favorite films from the past year. I have been waiting for this film to happen for ages. That said, I ain't holdin' my breath. It's been on the burner for years, and I'm not going to believe it until its started filming. These Broadway adaptations seem to take forever. Spike Lee had even begun casting Rent when that film deal came to an end.

I'm no big fan of Beyonce, but this could be a good role for her. Effie is the role they have to worry about. I don't know that there's any one person out there who is an established actress/singer who can do this. Why? Because Hollywood/the entertainment biz doesn't allow you to be heavy. Jennifer Hudson from season 2 American Idol could definitely sing it, but I don't know what her acting skills are.

Harlepolis...where are you?

I'm not familar with "Dreamgirls", only that amazing song by Jennifer Holiday ("I'm Not Leaving With You"?). Something tells me it could be really good ("Chicago" wasn't bad, was it?) or really bad (one word: Ahanti!).

I don't feel too good about this,,,,many great musicals get a lil' bit too sansualized becoz of them movie makers. Of course there're exceptions, like that Funny Lady(sansualized in some moments too but good overall, so there's no escape).

And whether Bill Condon is strict or not, the power that be is ALWAYS on the hustle for the fast buck,,,so you know one way or another, this movie's casting may get TOO FUNNY!

Of course I hope its only me being cynical about it but we'll have to wait and see,,,not anticipating this strongly to be honest tho

sosgemini said:

Well, I'm alarmed that musicals are now being made with stars who shouldn't be dancing or singing - ever. Zeta-Jones and Queen Latifah in Chicago were great - because they either had extensive experience in the musical theater or were established actors and singers. I have no idea why Zellweger received the praise she did - she seemed completely out of place when it came to the musical setpieces and was not sexy or vivacious enough to pull off Roxie Hart. Gere was merely OK.

Nicole and Ewan were perfect for Moulin Rouge - Ewan needs to do more musicals.

So I am not too enthused about this - because what is the point of making a musical if you don't do it right?
[Edited 1/11/05 9:07am]

When is somebody gonna do a musical that's uhh.....new?

OdysseyMiles said:

dancer in the dark?

VoicesCarry said:

yet Gere started off in a rock band and Zellweger was in a dance troop....

if you look at the history of musicals you always had people cast who didnt fit....look at Natalie Wood and Richard Beemer in WestSideStory.....still the film is a classic....Ditto Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady...so why now should we put today's directors up to such a high standard? heck, casting hasnt even started and already people are dogging it..

i am excited about this because you have a serious and *good* screenwriter and director making a movie that he has been passionate about for ages.....if this were Shumacker or Paul Anderson I would be freaked out but Condon has earned a chance to make this...IMHO.

sosgemini said:

So did Keanu Reeves - but I sure as hell wouldn't put him in a musical

And the reason people such as Audrey Hepburn and Natalie Wood were great? They could act, and had huge screen presence. Zellweger and Gere just left me cold in Chicago. JMHO.

I think Bill Condon has earned the chance to make this - not denying that - but I have a good guess about how it's probably going to wind up.
[Edited 1/11/05 11:37am]

VoicesCarry said:

I agree. I think Condon could direct this and direct it well. That doesn't mean that the studio - whichever it may be - can't interfere and mess it up royally.

And for the record, while Natalie Wood's turn in West Side Story was a good one, she doesn't get all the credit. She didn't do her own singing; Marni Nixon did the honors.

RipHer2Shreds said:

And Marni Nixon also did the vocals in My Fair Lady.

VoicesCarry said:

You are correct (and I've yet to see My Fair Lady).

RipHer2Shreds said:

Marni also did a bit for Rita Moreno..actually, the bulk of the performers in WSS did'nt have their vocals used...but i think that actually supports my point...wait and see...a non-singing entity (or a horrible singer who is currently big ala ashitty) could work and this film could still be a classic.....

sosgemini said:

Oh, I don't have a problem with non-singers playing singers, because you can fake it. What you can't fake is good dancing or good acting. If Ashitty could act (she can't - see Coach Carter), then I might give her a screen test.

Warner Bros. Films were planning to make this film in the late 90s.Lauryn Hill was gonna be one of the stars.But the box office failure of another musical from this period ("Why Do Fools Fall In Love") made Warners cancel the project.

DavidEye said:

What the heck was "why do fools fall in love"? lol....

sosgemini said:

Frankie Lymon biopic. With Halle Berry, Larenz Tate, etc.

VoicesCarry said:

A very good movie btw with some truly funny moments

DavidEye said:

I hated it

sosgemini said:

LOVED it. That was years ago. We need more new stuff. You know what Sos, I'll get to work on this....

OdysseyMiles said:

you go boy!!!


have you seen 8Woman? Its a french musical starring Catherine Denueve....Its not a classic or anything but its a funny lil murder mystery musical romp.....

how many musicals are original anyways? Singing In The Rain is the only one that comes to mind that was written exclusively for the big screen.....not even Henry Hedwig was written for the screen...

arent they also filming Rent right now? With Chris Columbus directing? Now if any musical deserves criticism its *that* one...Mr. Home Alone?