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Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by MusicMan93 2012-04-06 16:32:58

I have been wondering lately who would make a good cast for a film version of the musical. I was thinking Jeremy Jordan as Joe, Jonathan Pryce as Max, & Patti Lupone as Norma. Unfortunately I dont think that Patti would actually get cast in a film version because she isn't that well known in Hollywood. Any thoughts? Good cast or the worst? Who's in your dream cast?

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by CATSNYrevival 2012-04-06 16:45:26

Have you not read Patti's book? There's no way she would ever be in a movie of Sunset Boulevard. As far as I know she hasn't even spoken to Webber since that whole debacle. Plus, you're right. They would definitely want a Hollywood name.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by broadwaybabywannabe2 2012-04-06 16:48:31

ok don't laugh...
in my old thoughts:

BABS...as NORMA
HUGH JACKMAN..JOE
BEN KINGSLY...MAX

but i have changed that to now put

MERYL STREEP...as NORMA
HUGH JACKMAN...JOE
fill in the blank...MAX

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by Mister Matt 2012-04-06 16:59:28

I always wanted to see Liza as Norma, but I'm afraid it's just too late now. Either Amy Adams or Anne Hathaway would make wonderful Betty Shaeffers.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by alxscrz2 2012-04-06 17:37:38

I would Love to see Cher as Norma. I think she would sing those songs and act that role like no other

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by Adam Chris 2012-04-06 17:43:59

Joe: Ewan McGregor
Betty: Amy Adams
Norma: Glenn Close (ok, maybe, Meryl Streep)
Max: Yule Brynner (what? he's dead? damn!)

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by MusicMan93 2012-04-06 20:45:27

@CATSNYrevival - Bummer, no I have never read her book.
@broadwaybabywannabe2 - I wouldn't mind Babs being Norma. I'm not so sure about Meryl though, she is a great actress but I don't think she really has the right voice for the part. I love the thought of Hugh Jackman as Joe, he is amazing! But would he be too old to play Joe?
@Mister Matt - Amy Adams would be great as Betty!
@alxscrz2 - I'm not really a fan of Cher so I would be a little hesitant if they chose her. But she does have that superstar quality like Norma which might make her a good fit.
@Adam Chris - Thats a good line up! I would have loved to see Yul as Max!

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by sondheimfan2 2012-04-06 21:40:37

Though there are probably several threads on this topic already ...

Max: Stanley Tucci

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by qolbinau 2012-04-07 01:18:17

I love the concept of famous aged actresses reaching the end of their career (e.g. Liza Minnelli, Stresiand etc.) doing this as their final, acclaimed role. Can a director keep Liza under control for the film and a computer/drugs help her sing just one take of the score good enough?

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by AEA AGMA SM 2012-04-07 03:05:56

I'd like to see a Norma who's actually around the right age, in her early 50s, not pushing 70 or more. Remember that Max flat out says when they met (i.e. her first movie) she was 16.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by 123musicalfan 2012-04-07 03:58:46

Elena Roger said in an interview once that she would like to play Norma.

Norma - Elena Roger
Joe - ricky Martin
Max - Michael Cerveris
Betty - Rachel Potter
Artie - Max Von Essen

but my dream Cast would be

Norma - Elaine Paige
Joe - Ramin Karimloo
Max - George Hearn/Michael Crawford
Betty - Sierra Boggess/Connie Fisher

and maybe Nathan Lane as (I forget his name) the salesman in The Ladies Paying

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by Princeton Returns 2012-04-07 04:23:47

Norma - Catherine Zeta Jones (ok might need to wait 5 - 10 years to be age appropriate)

The other roles would depend on who is age appropriate when CZJ is

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by henrikegerman 2012-04-07 17:47:30

Michelle Pfeiffer or Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as Norma
Matt Bomer as Joe
Paul Sorvino as Max
Zooey Deschanel as Betty

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by Dave19 2012-04-07 18:47:00

Betty: Amy Adams

Norma: Madonna

Joe: Richard Fleeshman

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by Bettyboy72 2012-04-07 19:09:15

I believe this is a role Glenn Close was born to play. I also think it would finally get her an Oscar. She would nail the role.

Glenn, whose box office draw has waned, could be paired with Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway to drum up interest.

Glenn would be thrilling. She'd act the s@#t out of this role.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by Broadwayhunk 2012-04-08 01:31:50

Ann Margaret as Norma. Hey, she still looks good, and she can act.

Hugh Jackman, of course, for Joe.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by benjaminnyc 2012-04-08 13:47:23

there is only ONE Norma Desmond for me.

Her name is GLENN CLOSE.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by henrikegerman 2012-04-09 13:21:11

Gloria Swanson circa Sunset Boulevard was young enough to be the daughter of some of the women suggested for Norma on this thread.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by Patash 2012-04-09 14:16:36

"I'd like to see a Norma who's actually around the right age, in her early 50s, not pushing 70 or more."

I'm not sure to whom you are referring. Patti Lupone was 46 when she was doing it. Betty Buckley was 46 also. Glen Close was 47 when she did it on Broadway. And Gloria Swanson was 50 when she made the film. (I may be off by a year as I didn't check actual months).

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by BrodyFosse123 2012-04-09 14:30:29

Ann Margaret as Norma. Hey, she still looks good, and she can act.

With all due respect, Ann-Margret is already 70 years old. Gloria Swanson was 49 when SUNSET BLVD. was filmed and the character of Norma Desmond is 50 years old -- it is even mentioned in the screenplay.

I'm always amused how everyone assumes Norma Desmond is a crazy OLD lady.

Also, Webber has already stated that he is interested in filming SUNSET BLVD. as a semi-"live" video production, like CATS was. Not as a feature motion picture. I'm sure he's contemplating a limited theatrical showing similar to what was done to LOVE NEVER DIES.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by henrikegerman 2012-04-09 14:32:11

^I think it's pretty clear AEA meant someone around the age of Close, Lupone or Buckley when they played the role on stage or Swanson when she did the film. Rather than someone around the age of Close, Lupone, Buckley, Cher, Streisand or Ann-Margret now.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by Wildcard 2012-04-09 14:36:53

Don't know if they can sing but

Norma - Tilda Swinton/Cate Blanchett
Joe - Armie Hammer/Chris Pine
Betty - Gemma Arterton/Rachel McAdams

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by Broadwayhunk 2012-04-10 01:16:54

I really don't care what ALW thinks, the question was a dream cast, and IMHO the part could be re-written with just a few tweaks to make it older than 50 and perhaps set it in the sixties instead of 1950. 50 is not the same as it once was when this was first filmed, and the existing screenplay is hardly written in stone. As for filming it like a live taping, that idea sucks big time, but it is not surprising coming from a hack.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by EricMontreal22 2012-04-10 01:45:27

I know Monty Clift was originally considered for Joe--and he was only 31 (though, while only two years older, Holden IMHo reads older than Monty did back in the early 50s pre accident), but Joe should be starting to be just past his prime IMHO--Armie Hammer is way too young IMHO. When I saw the Canadian stage production when I was 15 with Diahann Carroll (who was perfect, but admittedly 60), Rex Smith played the role--he was 40.

I think the ages could be bumped up slightly from the movie, partly just because, while it is set in '51 many audiences read actors as younger than they did back then...

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by Bettyboy72 2012-04-10 02:37:15

I'm sorry but Swanson looked older than 50 in the flick. Close and others look damn good for their ages. They'd be fine in the role.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by JulesReverie 2012-04-10 04:37:55

Norma Desmond: Annette Benning or Michelle Phiefer
Max: Kelsey Grammer or Mandy Patinkin
Joe: Collin Donnell or Aaron Tveit
Betty: Alison Bree

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by PattiLover 2012-04-10 12:13:17

Jules, I love the idea of Annette Bening. I wonder if she can sing? Norma's not a role you can fake it through - her songs are gigantic. I've always championed for Michelle Pfeiffer to get it too. Either one of them could win Oscars (unless Hillary Swank is nominated against Bening again).

And they're both good looking women. Pfeiffer, moreso. I do believe a maharaja would hang himself with one of Pfeiffer's discarded stockings. Norma was supposed to be a vamp with unnatural beauty in her day - which is why I want to barf everytime someone mentions Streisand as Norma.

I think they only way to really make this movie work is to up it 10 years to '59 instead of '49. Women just didn't age as well as they do now, which is why so many people are shocked when it's revealed that Norma's only in her 50's.

Susan Sarandon would be triumphant, and she can carry a tune - I guess, since she was so good in Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Goldie Hawn can sing really well, and she'd make for a very fascinating, off-the-wall crazy and fun Norma, in the way that Gloria Swanson was a blend of funny and tragic.

Never thought about Catherine Deneuve, but it would be a great comeback for her and she'd have that exotic flair to make Norma work.

Joe and Max are so underwritten, to me it's inconsequential who plays them. I wouldn't mind seeing Christopher Walken (my first choice because he's creepy and can sing), Jeremy Irons or Ben Kingsley as Max.

I think to make this movie work, you'll have to seriously chop the garbage parts of the score - like the entire chorus numbers, all the stuff between Joe and Betty (especially Too Much in Love to Care)and just leave the songs for Norma, Joe and Max (I'd even cut the Greatest Star of All and the title song, because the lyrics are abysmal and laughable, yet retain the music as underscoring).

Cecil B. DeMille would have been dead at the time, so maybe they could replace his character with a fictional epic director - but I would keep his reprise of Surrender, which is a really good moment of the show. Francis Ford Coppola or Richard Attenborough would be great.

Having only the three leads sing would keep them in Norma's shattered, claustrophobic fantasy world, kind of like how Rob Marshall kept all the songs from Chicago in Roxie's world. That would leave Overture/I Guess it Was 5am, Surrender, With One Look, Salome, New Ways to Dream, The Perfect Year (a bad song, which would be a good one to replace and ALW could get a better Oscar-nominated duet number out of it), As If We Never Said Goodbye, Surrender (Reprise)and New Ways to Dream (Reprise). Those songs right there retain the greatest melodies of the show.

I'd love Francis Ford Coppola to direct it - if he could give the grand gugnol and opulent treatment to Sunset Boulevard like he did for Bram Stoker's Dracula, I'd be in the clover.

Since pop-culture has a cougar fetish nowadays, I think the musical version Sunset Boulevard could finally work on film - and it would show the dark, crazy side of the Housewives of Sunset Boulevard.

Sorry for being long-winded, but here's my official dream cast:

Norma Desmond: Michelle Pfeiffer
Joe Gillis: Ryan Gosling
Max: Christopher Walken
Betty Schaefer: Some nobody in her 30's - honestly, who cares?
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by castlestreet 2012-04-10 13:39:48

I would love to see this movie get made- but I have serious doubts that even a "live" version as he has recently talked about will happen any time soon.

Glenn can still play the part, and I believe the part is hers. No Norma in my opinion held the command of the role the way she did- and while others sang the score better, in the end Glenn's was the overall most effective performance.

Casting Max & Joe would be so vital to the success of how well the musical translated back to the screen- and in all honesty I can't think of many people I would cast as Joe for a big screen adaptation as I hated the way Jackman played the part. I liked the idea that floated around Hollywood for a few years of Anthony Hopkins playing the part, but he is much too old now and I'm not sure that he could sing the part anyways. I also am in the minority of people who actually liked the way Daniele Benzali approached the role in the OLC- although Hearn is still tops in my book- Benzali's approach was softer and had a mysterious quality to it.

All in all, I doubt we will see a Sunset film get made anytime soon- I still remember when Liz Smith reported all the way back in 97' that Babs and Tom Cruise were signed sealed and delivered and that filming was to begin soon.

With Rock of Ages and Les Miz due up this year any Movie Musicals that are in development hell will either get a bump up if they are successful or dive further into the fire if these movies fail to find an audience.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by BrodyFosse123 2012-04-10 13:54:47

Never thought about Catherine Deneuve, but it would be a great comeback for her and she'd have that exotic flair to make Norma work.

Comeback? She's never disappeared. She's never stopped making films. She even starred in the 2010 hit film POTICHE and in the last few months she's filmed 3 major motion pictures.

Also, though she CAN sing, Danielle Licari supplied her singing vocals in the 1964 film THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG and Anne Germain in 1967's THE YOUNG GIRLS OF ROCHEFORT.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by MusicMan93 2012-04-11 13:40:23

I agree, It would be great to have Glenn's performance captured on film!

@castlestreet - I have been hoping as well that with the release of Les Miz & Rock of Ages that the general movie going public would get a renewed interest in movie musicals. Therefore helping to get other shows made into movies. i.e. Sunset Boulevard, Book of Mormon, Follies, & many more.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by madbrian 2012-04-11 13:57:56

Norma: Vanessa Williams
Joe: James Marsden
Betty: Amy Adams

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by henrikegerman 2012-04-11 14:03:12

Ute Lemper might be superb as Norma and there has been talk of her doing it in Paris soon.

She is, of course, unknown as a movie actress, but the talk of Deneuve, who is far too old for the role, made me think of her.

"I think they only way to really make this movie work is to up it 10 years to '59 instead of '49. Women just didn't age as well as they do now, which is why so many people are shocked when it's revealed that Norma's only in her 50's."

I'm a bit confused. How would upping the setting to 1959 from 1949 change the audience's ability to connect with Norma as a 50 year old? Unless you are suggesting that 50 year old women were considered more over the hill and likely to be reclusive and washed up in 1959 than they were in 1949, I'm not following your logic.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by PattiLover 2012-04-11 14:13:22

What I meant was make it 1959 and have Norma in her 60s.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by henrikegerman 2012-04-11 14:16:57

^ok, but then why change the year?

In 1949, Lillian Gish was 56, Mary Pickford 57 and Theda Bara 64. There's no reason Norma Desmond couldn't be 60 then.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by PattiLover 2012-04-11 16:04:06

There are many reasons parts of Sunset Boulevard needs to be changed.

1) A film of Sunset Boulevard is not going to be looked at as a film adaptation of a Broadway show, it's going to be looked at as a remake of one of the greatest movies ever made. The comparisons will be brutal. When is the last time a film considered to be a masterpiece on the level of SB was adapted to a Broadway musical and then remade into a film?

2) 1949-50 is still considered the Golden Age of film. In the 60's, filmmaking did begin to become a bit more modern. I think it would be a more drastic and add more dynamic to the characters if you changed the time period slightly.

Just an idea. I mean, you could change Norma's age, you could change the time period - either way, the show needs to be revamped for film.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by henrikegerman 2012-04-11 16:26:55

"When is the last time a film considered to be a masterpiece on the level of SB was adapted to a Broadway musical and then remade into a film?"

Nine - bad.

and long before that, A Little Night Music - worse.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by EricMontreal22 2012-04-11 18:30:17

I could kinda see them updating it ten years as well, actually--though the studio system was already falling apart by '61... The prob re age is a bit like how so many people are shocked that Blanche in Streetcar isn't ten years older (at least when I studied it in class, this was the reaction). Lots of audiences don't get that due to many factors, people are considered younger than they were at the same age back then (I'm not sure if that made any sense...)

But if you up the age for Norma, I think Jo should be bumped up too and someone like Ryan would look far too young. No he's not meant to be totally washed up, but he should look like he's at least on the verge of no longer being able to be a matinee idol.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by Wishing Only Wounds 2012-04-11 18:32:51

Cher as Norma is perhaps the best casting idea I've ever read on this site...especially with how Hollywood seems to have just forgotten her...

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by EricMontreal22 2012-04-11 18:35:00

Or maybe they just saw Burlesque...

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by Wishing Only Wounds 2012-04-11 18:39:50

The fact that Burlesque is the first thing that comes to your mind when Cher is mentioned, shows how she's been forgotten.

However, her song was one of the few high points of the film.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by PattiLover 2012-04-11 19:09:49

Cher is a great idea, but she'd be pushing 70 by the time this movie gets made.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by EricMontreal22 2012-04-11 21:03:09

Oh don't worry--I started sneaking into gay bars just when Believe was massive, own at least a dozen Cher CDs and her two disco LPs, saw her endless Farewell tour two times, even was one of the 1000 people who bought her last CD. I'm a big fan, and agree she was the best part of Burlesque--was just making a lame joke. And I'd like her as Norma.

I get the impression right now she's kinda happy no working. She's been talking about a new CD for about 5 years now (wasn't here meant to be a Gaga duet too?), but she just can't seem to bother.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by SondheimFan5 2012-04-11 22:38:43

Close is 65 but she still looks great. She is a wonderful actress, I would only be concerned about the vocals now.

I know ALW wants to do this like he did Joseph and LND, where it's essentially a filmed stage production. With a limited theatrical release, and then a DVD release.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by all that jazz 2012-04-11 22:46:52

I think the role of Norma is Glenn's, no one could do it like she can. But I would kill to see Liza in it. If they wait some more years, I will also tottaly kill to see Gaga doing it, I think she would be astounding!!! And what about Ricky Martin or Mathew Morrison for Joe. And I think Tony Bennet could sing the hell out of Max.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by all that jazz 2012-04-11 22:46:53

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by ready_mr_music 2012-04-12 00:44:26

For those who have seen "THE ARTIST" I really hope if they film Sunset BLVD, it is done in the same style truly capturing the era of the silent films going into the talkies.

If she can sing it, Annette Benning would be amazing!
If Hugh Jackman NEVER sings the role again- I will be over the moon!

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by MusicMan93 2012-04-12 04:20:14

This one is for the Babs fans. I can't believe that I have never seen this before! It brought an instant smile to my face.

Babs singing "As If We Never Said Goodbye" -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KsM0L_ZLjM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by Princeton Returns 2012-04-12 07:22:14

I strongly disagree with cutting much of the score, if you do that you may as well remake the original movie.

Love the Ryan Gosling idea for Joe and Michelle as Norma

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by EricMontreal22 2012-04-12 18:46:50

Rent and Phantom and to a lesser degree Dreamgirls made me think chopping up thru-sung musicals to add dialogue for films, benefits nobody...

I don't get the The Artist comment... None of the story takes place during the silent film era... *confused*

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by Playbilly 2012-04-13 17:04:21

They'll probably miscast with someone "bankable" like Sandra Bullock as Norma. James Marsden would be a great Joe...but they'll put a ChanningTatum or Zac Efron in it.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by gvendo2005 2012-04-13 18:11:30

I strongly disagree with cutting much of the score, if you do that you may as well remake the original movie.

Not a bad idea! Let's do that instead.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by henrikegerman 2012-04-14 09:14:39

What purpose would there be in remaking the original movie as a non-musical? Does anyone think a remake could possibly be nearly as good, as the original?

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by charlesjguiteau 2012-04-14 12:11:39

To answer a question a few pages back on classic movies that became broadway musicals and then successful movie musicals--

Off the top of my head, how about SWEET CHARITY (from Nights of Cabiria)?
HAIRSPRAY?
And best of all, MY FAIR LADY? (Lerner's ending is frankly based on the film of Pygmalion.)

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by FrontRowDress 2012-05-01 05:49:28

I just had a poll on my blog to find everyone's favourite ALW and Sunset won by a mile, which really did surprise me. Phantom, which I had assumed would walk it, came second and believe it or not Love Never Dies third. You can vote for your favourite previous Norma Desmond in this month's poll if you want to, just follow the link. Apologies if your favourite didn't make the shortlst.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by choitoy 2012-05-01 06:35:00

If this movie was made 10 years ago, definitely Glenn Close as Norma and Hugh Jackman as Joe (and I secretly wanted John Barrowman to have a bigger career in the states, so him as Artie). All of my choices are a little "long in the tooth" now to be valid choices for a movie.

I haven't really thought of a good cast for now if it was being done today. I'll have to mull over it...

The only thing, as much as I love Madonna, no, just no!

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by henrikegerman 2012-05-01 11:48:08

"To answer a question a few pages back on classic movies that became broadway musicals and then successful movie musicals--

Off the top of my head, how about SWEET CHARITY (from Nights of Cabiria)?
HAIRSPRAY?
And best of all, MY FAIR LADY? (Lerner's ending is frankly based on the film of Pygmalion.)"

All of the following were adaptations of plays, novels or memoirs which were films now considered classics (at least by some) before they were musicals on stage and then, successfully (in some cases debatable?), on screen.

CHICAGO (Roxie Hart with Ginger Rogers, a nominal classic)
THE KING AND I (Anna and the King with Irene Dunne and Rex Harrison)
OLIVER! (David Lean's acclaimed film with Alec Guinness)
CAROUSEL (Fritz Lang's Liliom with Charles Boyer)
WEST SIDE STORY (EXTREMELY LOOSELY - Cukor's R&J with Leslie Howard and Norma Shearer; Shearer giving one of the worst film performances of all time)
KISMET (Dieterle's film with Colman and Dietrich; although I'm not sure if the movie of the musical was at all a success - I tend to not think so but I'm including it anyway)
MAMMA MIA (inspired by BUONA SERA, MRS. CAMPBELL, which had already been made into the unsuccessful Stein/Lerner stage musical CARMELINA with Georgia Brown)
HELLO, DOLLY (The Matchmaker with Booth, MacLaine and Perkins, to the extent the movie was considered a success)
CABARET (if one considers I AM A CAMERA with Julie Harris, Laurence Harvey and Shelley Winters a movie classic)

Hairspray may be the only original movie (not based on other material; Sweet Charity is based on Cabiria as you've said) which went on to be a stage musical and then a successful movie (it strains credulity to consider A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC and NINE as successes on screen).

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by EricMontreal22 2012-05-01 13:52:33

Interesting list. I'd argue about I Am A Camera--the play was a big success, but I'm not sure the movie was, and it certainly doesn't play well now.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by rjm516 2012-05-01 14:11:16

Has to be Glenn. HAS to be! She needs to win an Oscar, and if this is done well, it could happen.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by Dave19 2012-05-01 14:13:05

There's a huge difference between casting a film version (like Evita) and a theatre-dvd version (like Love never dies).

For the first one someone like Madonna could work. For the second one you definitely need a better singer.

Although for a film version a better singer is always the better choice too....oh well.....

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by PattiLover 2012-05-01 14:17:52

Henrik, none of those movies you've mentioned are in the same league with Billy Wilder's SUNSET BOULEVARD. It's widely regarded to be one of the greatest American and most popular American films ever made. It's a wholly organic film not based on previous material. Its story mirroring reality by using a faded silent film star playing a faded silent film star, featuring cameos by other faded film stars. It's a movie specifically about Hollywood, not Broadway.

Remaking some movies is like playing with fire - especially when you're using the same title, the same story, the same characters etc.

The real question is what movie musicals based on popular masterpieces of film have ever been successful? NINE is not 8 1/2, it's a different animal based on a film - and 8 1/2 is not as famous as Sunset Boulevard. HAIRSPRAY is another, but the 80's film is not nearly regarded as the original film SUNSET BOULEVARD.

This whole idea of filming Sunset Boulevard needs to be reassessed and treated with kid gloves, lest it become a vanity project.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by henrikegerman 2012-05-01 17:32:43

"Henrik, none of those movies you've mentioned are in the same league with Billy Wilder's SUNSET BOULEVARD."

I agree.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by sorano916 2012-05-02 00:22:52

I've only seen the Signature Stage production of "Sunset Boulevard" so I'm not quite sure on who I would want to play who with one exception: I would love for Zachary Levi to play Joe. He has done theatre in the past and was on his way to Broadway before he decided to do "Chuck."

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by madbrian 2012-05-02 09:55:39

Zachary Levi would make a terrific Joe, as would Matt Bomer.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by 246015 2012-05-02 10:04:10

I was just thinking this morning that Imelda Staunton would make a fantastic Norma Desmond. While she may not have the best voice, she would act the HELL out of the role! I can imagine Norma's breakdown at the end of the piece being particularly powerful!

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by hotjohn 2012-05-02 13:23:14

I know she's probably too old to play the role in the movie, but for my money, Shirley MacLaine would have made an amazing Norma.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by JulesReverie 2012-05-02 14:02:18

As much as I LOVE Glen and her Norma, the idea of Annette Benning as Norma gives me goosebumps

I can sooooo see Matt Bomer as Joe, Victor Garber as Demille, Kelsey Grammer as Max , and Alison Brie as Betty

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by Princeton Returns 2012-05-02 15:12:15

Love the Matt Bomer idea, can totally see that, perfect casting. Hugh Jackman is too old now

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by MusicMan93 2012-05-03 02:59:10

I have never thought of Matt Bomer playing Joe before. I think that is absolutely brilliant!

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by Wildcard 2012-06-05 15:15:52

I was watching "Hollywoodland" on Netflix last night and Diane Lane with her subtle old age make-up was very Gloria Swanson-esque. She could make a good Norma as well. However, today's audiences would just think of her as a MILF anyway.

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by FrontRowDress 2012-06-05 15:50:56

The result of the poll on my blog to find the favourite Norma was stormed by Betty Buckley, who got 42% of the vote, Elaine Paige came second with 12% and then it was a tie between Glenn, Patti & Petula woth 11%. Got a couple of really sweet tweets from Ms Buckley herself who was lovely and gracious.
http://frontrowdress.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/its-june-and-im-busting-out-all-over.html

Sunset Boulevard - Movie Dream Cast
Posted by BrodyFosse123 2012-06-05 16:52:08

For those who have seen "THE ARTIST" I really hope if they film Sunset BLVD, it is done in the same style truly capturing the era of the silent films going into the talkies.

Apparently, you're not familiar with SUNSET BLVD, which takes place in 1950 and NOT during the silent movie era. Both the musical and the original 1950 film never had any sequence taking place during the silent movie era.