BuzzSugar

Jesus Christ Superstar May Get a "Hipstery" Big Screen Makeover

BuzzSugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:30:33 -0700

After Mamma Mia!'s global earnings of $600 million last year, Universal may be looking toward Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber for its next movie musical success. The studio is apparently developing an adaptation of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar with an interesting directorial choice: 500 Days of Summer director Marc Webb. Here's more:

The story . . . 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 [director Norman] Jewison's involvement brought a '70s sensibility to the original, Webb could bring a modern, hipstery take.

Well, 500 Days of Summer does feature some singing and choreographed dance. Could you see a "hipstery" version of Jesus Christ Superstar working on the big screen in this day and age?

Source

Ready For a 3-D Rock 'n' Roll Musical Version of Cleopatra?

BuzzSugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:30:56 -0700

Yes, let's review those facts:

Director Steven Soderbergh is planning a movie about Egyptian queen Cleopatra.
It will be a live-action 3-D movie.
It will also be a rock 'n' roll musical.
Soderbergh is hoping to get Catherine Zeta-Jones to play "Cleo" and Hugh Jackman to play her lover, Marc Antony.

After the initial "whaaa?" reaction, I'm warming to this idea, especially because the band Guided by Voices has apparently already written the music for the movie. What do you think? Could you see this working, or does it sound like a big hot mess?

Source

Buzz Brainteaser

BuzzSugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 04:30:18 -0700

Welcome to Buzz Brainteaser, the trivia feature on BuzzSugar! Every weekday I'll test your knowledge about TV shows, music, and movies. If you enter in the correct answer, you win points! As Mamma Mia! heads to theaters today, here's a movie musical-related brainteaser:

In regard to U.S. box office earnings, what is the highest-grossing movie musical of the past 30 years?

Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures

Kate Hudson Joins the Amazing Cast of Nine

BuzzSugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:33:02 -0700

Not only has Kate Hudson been added to the already-magnificent cast of Nine, a film adaptation of the award-winning musical, but the role and a song were added to the movie specifically for her.

The musical, inspired by Fellini's 8 1/2, is said to be "sultry and enchanting," and the same could be said about most of the cast members. Daniel Day-Lewis plays "world famous film director Guido Contini as he prepares his latest picture and balances the numerous women in his life."

The women playing Contini's women? They include Nicole Kidman, Marion Cotillard, Judi Dench, Sophia Loren, Penélope Cruz, and now Kate Hudson.

Of his new cast addition, director Rob Marshall (Chicago) remarked, "It's wonderful having Kate join this extraordinary cast! Her revelatory skills as a singer and a dancer lead to the creation of the role of 'Stephanie,' a fashion reporter from Vogue working in Italy. An exciting new song, written by our composer Maury Yeston, has been added for her as well."

What do you think about this? Compared to the other people on this cast list, is Kate Hudson of the same caliber? Do you look forward to her contributions to a Rob Marshall musical movie?

Source

The Results Are In: Recast West Side Story

BuzzSugar — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 16:10:49 -0700

Every Wednesday on BuzzSugar, I post a Recast challenge, where I ask you to choose new actors for a classic TV show or movie. The reader who submits the best cast wins a BuzzSugar t-shirt!

This week I was very impressed with the thoughtful recast lists submitted for musical movie West Side Story. Some of my favorite ideas were the ones you had for the roles of Maria and Anita. For example, Supergrover's pick of Q'orianka Kilcher for Maria seems downright perfect, and I also thought the popular choice of America Ferrera would be great in that part. alynn suggested Ana Ortiz (Betty's sister on "Ugly Betty") as Anita, which I think is excellent, though I also really like ddene5713's idea of Jamie Lynn Sigler.

Overall, my favorite recast list this week comes from tiatia! This is one carefully planned recast list and every choice is pitch-perfect. To see who tiatia chose, along with a new cast photo, read more

tiatia's cast:
Maria - Emanuelle Chriqui
Tony - Adam Garcia
Anita - Penelope Cruz
Bernardo - Jon Seda
Officer Krupke - Steven Seagal

Recast West Side Story and Win a Prize!

BuzzSugar — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 14:29:03 -0700

Every Wednesday on BuzzSugar, I post a Recast challenge, where I ask you to choose new actors for a classic TV show or movie. The reader who submits the best cast wins a BuzzSugar t-shirt!

"Tonight, tonight/ Won't be just any night/ Tonight there will be no morning star." I love the music from West Side Story, and I love the film version (which starred Natalie Wood and Rita Moreno). This tragic love story, based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, pits New York gangs against each other while two star-crossed lovers dream of being together despite all odds. If you could recast the movie version of this musical with new actors, who would you pick for the passionate Tony and Maria? Or Maria's brother Bernardo and Anita? And of course, what about Officer Krupke?

Leave your entry in the comment section below, and I'll pick one winner to feature Tuesday, August 28, complete with a "new" cast photo.

Note: The actors you choose do not have to have excellent singing abilities already. Just select actors you think could be good for the parts regardless of whether or not you know they can sing.
To see a list of characters to recast and a photo of the BuzzSugar t-shirt, read more

Characters to recast:
Maria (Natalie Wood)
Tony (Richard Beymer)
Anita (Rita Moreno)
Bernardo (George Chakiris)
Officer Krupke (William Bramley)

The BuzzSugar t-shirt

Fergie's "Be Italian" From Nine - Nailed It or Not Impressed?

BuzzSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:30:24 -0800

Rob Marshall's long anticipated movie musical Nine won't hit theaters until December, and I'm practically counting the minutes until I can see all the talented ladies (Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, the list goes on) singing and dancing with Daniel-Day Lewis. The songs are showstoppers for sure, and now you can have a taste of the upcoming soundtrack. Give a listen to Fergie singing "Be Italian," one of the show's biggest numbers, and tell me what you think - nailed it or not impressed?

Link Time! The Who Rumored to Perform at the Super Bowl

BuzzSugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:30:16 -0800

The Who may be this year's act at the Super Bowl halftime show - Spinner
Martin Scorsese will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's Golden Globes - Collider
Joseph Gordon-Levitt talks about his latest film Inception - Cinematical
Hayden Panettiere is producing a CW drama about Harvard Medical School doctors - Zap2it
You learn a lot about Lil Wayne in his upcoming documentary - Rock & Roll Daily
Best news ever: A Super Troopers sequel is in the works! - MTV Movies Blog
The Addams Family is coming to Broadway with Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth as Gomez and Morticia - TV Squad
Grey's Anatomy writer Shonda Rhimes warns about challenges ahead for Meredith and Derek - Ausiello Files
The organization Greenpeace is getting its own movie - Moviefone
Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman shares his respect for music - HitFix
Get ready for New Moon with these tech goodies! - GeekSugar

Link Time! Eric Dane Dances His Way Into Burlesque

BuzzSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:30:13 -0800

Eric Dane joins Christina Aguilera, Cher, and Kristen Bell in Burlesque - Zap2It
Daniel Radcliffe is lending his voice to a Twilight spoof . . . on The Simpsons! - Hollywood Insider
Tim Burton's career retrospective looks rad - MTV Movies Blog
Director Werner Herzog shares his five favorite films - Rotten Tomatoes
Johnny Depp is named People's Sexiest Man Alive for 2009! - PopSugar
Precious director Lee Daniels is already lining up his next gig, titled Selma - Collider
Charlotte Gainsbourg and Beck make beautiful music together in the video "Heaven Can Wait" - Stereogum
Brooke Shields is moving to The Middle - Ausiello Files
Will Arnett and Justin Theroux sign up for a space love story - Moviefone
New Moon director Chris Weitz says he's quitting movies - Film School Rejects

Link Time! New Moon Breaks Midnight Sales Records

BuzzSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:30:38 -0800

New Moon tops Harry Potter and The Dark Knight for its midnight showing ticket sales - PopSugar
Is Taylor Kitsch taking an early departure from Friday Night Lights? - Ausiello Files
Top 10 star-crossed lovers in film - Rotten Tomatoes
30 Rock's Judah Friedlander talks about his hat collection and his plans to save NBC - TV.com
Steven Spielberg and Stephen King team up to frighten the bejesus out of us with Under the Dome - MTV Movies Blog
Vampire Weekend debut their new video for "Cousins" - Stereogum
Jason Segel sings about how he wants to give you his phone number - and bed you - TresSugar
Imogen Heap writes songs for Zach Braff - Spinner