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From Studying Sex To Swinging Soul Sisters... Bill Condon Set To Direct DREAMGIRLS!!

Published at:  Jan 11, 2005 3:24:19 AM CST

Hi, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab...



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.

"Moriarty" out.








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    Readers Talkback

  • Jan 11, 2005 4:06:42 AM CST

    Blackjack!

    by shan

    21

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 11, 2005 7:08:00 AM CST

    Captain Panaka Rules!!!!

    by bnitt

    Long live his cynical ass and wedged out eye!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 11, 2005 11:13:55 AM CST

    No doubt., the clout Of Condron along with the promise of Beyonc

    by lost skeleton

    although the irony of Beyonce possibly playing one of the characters is telling considering Destiny's Child went through a similar incident (DC had 4 original members with Beyonce's father firing 2 members for complaining about theri share of money). I wonder who will be cast as the star. Angie Stone has lost weight...Maybe Frenchie from American Idol who did Rent last year. I would be surprised if Beyonce is not in this.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 11, 2005 2:19:09 PM CST

    I Hope Flo gets her licks in.

    by yojimbo jones

    I haven't seen the stage prod. but I've read Mary Wilson's book and since this movie is fictionalized, I hope the Flo Ballard-character gets to place a well-aimed kick to the testicles of the Diana Ross-character. Nothing but heartaches, baby.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 11, 2005 5:43:43 PM CST

    Oh GIVE ME A FRICKIN' BREAK!!!!!!!!

    by kwame

    Beyonce?? J.HO??? Not on their movie budget! Can you imagine the cat-fights & diva-shit attitudes? One young chick wanting to make MORE than the other chicks? Apparently not...let it be UNKNOWNS to do this. Give it to chicks from American Idol...I don't give a shit. As for Effie's character, Angie Stone doesn't even have the vocal range to cover the songs she would need to cover, and Jennifer Holliday is slim & trim, so she's out.

    Kwame OUT

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 11, 2005 7:04:27 PM CST

    another boring director to be overinflated pointlessly

    by watashiwadare

    sorry but internet opinions are weird/

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 12, 2005 12:41:52 AM CST

    Beyonce...

    by thecomedian

    Should do a remake of Mahogany instead. That would be hot and would bring her a great big pile of money since that movie is pretty much to black girls what The Way We Were is to j.a.p.s.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jan 12, 2005 1:33:15 PM CST

    Mahogany.

    by cynickil

    Beyonce would be perfect for a remake of "Mahogany" and is on record saying it's her favorite movie. How fitting. As for "Dreamgirls" Lauryn Hill was rumored to be in this back in 1999 but with her dropping out of the spotlight (soon to be back in) I think she would be good, though I'd love American Idol star Trenyce to have a role in this. Jennifer Holiday is too old for her role on top of her newly slim physique. I say get American Idol star Frenchie, who sounded good doing her rendition of the song a couple years ago.

    Reply to Talkback

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