I think it could be a wonderful popcorn movie. Especially if they film on location.
Here are some of my ideas for casting:
Donna- Olivia Newton John Sam- Travolta (if he loses weight- much better fit here than in HAIRSPRAY)- and how fun to see these 2 together again? Tanya- Stockard Channing in full Joanna Lumley mode (I wish they would cast Mary Ellen Mahoney but a girl can dream) Bill- Richard Gere or Tom Wopat or Treat William Harry- David Cassidy Can't think of anyone for Rosie right now.
I just think it would be really cool to see people who were in musicals in the 70s to do it.
As for Sophie and Sky- maybe Kristin Bell and the cute guy who is Sharpay's brother in HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL
Any other thoughts?
Bad Jazz Singing- The Agony of Defeatism, The Thrill of It All
i love that idea of Olivia! as for Sophie, i say like Anne Hathaway- that girl can really sing, or Mandy Moore...someone like that as long as this movie is star-studded, i'll see it!
It'll be an interesting film to say the least. Given the plot and device, I can't help wondering if they'll be able to avoid coming off as a "Grease II" type movie.
"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" - Willy Wonka
I think the diff. between Grease 2 and Mama Mia is that EVERYONE loves ABBA SONGS! I love olivia, though i remember someone once mentioned Madonna as DOnna.
"Observe how bravely I conceal this dreadful dreadful shame I feel."
Songs aside - I'm talking about the tone/dialogue/etc. The songs in the show are inserted into that show in a way that, on film, will be very obvious and not very organic. That's ALWAYS a challenge when doing a movie musical - Rob Marshall (and Chris Columbus) talked about that in great detail in respects to their musicals.
"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" - Willy Wonka
Well yes, but I think when you are looking forward to the song, it becomes a little more forgivable and funny. There is a difference when you interrupt a scene to hear, Reproduction, rather than The Winner Takes It All. I remember going to see Mama Mia and seeing total Non-Theatre Tourists Sighing with excitement when the songs came on. I think this will translate to screen.
"Observe how bravely I conceal this dreadful dreadful shame I feel."
It's an interesting idea to make it with 70's icons. Seeing as how most people drool over the prospect of Mamma Mia, it would be good to get former stars back into the spotlight to reach a whole new fan base.
With Hanks and Rita Wilson exec producing, I can deffinetly see Wilson as Donna.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
True, I mean her screen credits include what? Raise Your Voice with Hilary Duff, and Now and Then yeah she's not really what I would consider Box Office Gold.
http://theaterfag.blogspot.com/
Reviews and the like
When I first saw the show a while ago I thought the characters physically reminded me of the actors in The First Wives Club and...I'm going to stick to that. Could be intersting. So I'm going to try to remember the character names and say
Donna: Diane Keton Rosie: Bette Midler Tanja: Goldie Hawn
yay...stunt casting....
Canadians are not afraid of the dark! Ok...we don't love it, but who does?
Toni Colette as Donna Sheridan. Alisan Janney as Tanya. Kathy Bates HAHAHAHAAH as rosie. I think we need Liam Neison as Harry Bright , Travolta as Sam and any random man as Bill Austin. I bet Mandy Moore will be Sophie.
I love David Cassidy! But I don't think he'd be good as Harry.
2008 European Tour
London: Les Mis, Lion King, Sound of Music, Joseph, Hairspray, Billy Elliot
France: Le Roi Lion, Cabaret
Germany: Der Konig der Lowen
Holland: Tarzan & Les Mis
UGH - Diane Keaton is too old for Donna and she is wrong, wrong, wrong. However, Olivia NJ is INSPIRED casting! And she's friends with Benny and Bjorn so it just might happen....
"Years from now, when you talk about this - And you will - Be kind. "
DONNA - Olivia Newton John TANYA - Goldie Hawn (although I, too, would LOVE Mary Ellen Mahoney to do it...the woman owns the role) ROSIE - Rosie O'Donnell (she'd be a HOOT)
Kristin Bell is an interesting choice for Sophie...
Olivia is a terrific chice for Donna. I saw her recently at the Nokia Theatre and she was amazing. She hit ALL the notes in Xanadu. I hope she gets a shot.