There is so little information, it's hard to tell what it is they intend to do. It could be a musical or some sort of stage spectacle. Or may end up being nothing more than tossing an idea around. I don't care if the film is from the 80s or not depending on the material or the finished product. The only 80s films I can think of that we've seen as Broadway musicals were Footloose and Hairspray. Dirty Dancing only toured and Flashdance isn't a sure thing yet. But it's not as if those all closely resemble each other in style, story, staging or score.
My problem is, this is an iconic action film. Half the fun of the film is in all the editing sequences of the running around and chasing from location to location. Even the clock tower sequence will lose so much suspense and tension when you remove all those shots, angles and special effects and replace them with one perspective. And there are some properties specifically created for film that are so iconic in their original form (especially action films), live replication can simply never live up to the original that has been embraced worldwide for generations. Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jaws, and ET are similar properties that have reached something of an untouchable status.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
While I agree with everything Mister Matt just said, I'm actually kind of excited to see what comes out of this - being one of my favorite movies. I think it's possible to make a good adaptation, but we know those are few and far between. I just don't want it to be The Wedding Singer. They could use projected sets (is that the right term for it?) for the car.
I think the idea of adapting a property that juxtoposes two distinct time periods is a great idea. I just think Back to the Future is too effects driven and well known.
Personally, I'd like to Blast from the Past or The Truman Show. I think both could be musicalized in a really fun, smart way.
Ive always thought PLEASANTVILLE would make a beautiful musical. It could never work on stage though, for obvious reasons, but even as a movie musical I'd love to see it done.
Yeah...the visual impact of Pleasantville wouldn't work all that well on stage. Though the mixing of black and white and color worked for City of Angels, the emotional peak of Pleasantville is when their faces obtain color. Could there be some sort of equivalent that doesn't involve color like that? I don't know. But yes...the material itself would sing beautifully.
Pleasantville could work on stage. The number "Come on Everybody" from "All Shook Up" started off lit and costumed very drab in blacks, whites, grays, and browns then slowly throughout the song everything changed to bright colors. Granted, this wouldn't be as effective as totally b&w film to touches of color, but it could "work" in a broad sense.
Unless I'm reading the article wrong, it doesn't say anything about it being a musical. It could be a straight play adaptation.
That being said, while the movie is one of my all time faves as well, I don't see any screaming need for it to be turned into a stage show. It works perfectly as a film and a live version wouldn't bring anything new except another way to make money off the story.
I also can't see any practical way to pull off some of the high-speed stuff on stage. They could use rear projections and static models but it just wouldn't be the same.