FINDING NEVERLAND Team Wanted Harvey Weinstein to Play 'Hook' on Broadway

According to the New York Post, FINDING NEVERLAND composers Gary Barlow and Eliot Kennedy had a different star in mind for their musical's villain.

"We wanted Harvey [Weinstein] to be Captain Hook," the duo told the Post. "We still think we can talk him into it. We think he's the best baddie of all."

And despite Weinstein's recent split with the show's former publicist, Barlow said things are going well: "The cast are the most unbelievable people. We're a very happy family. Diane Paulus is driving our ship, and we're extremely excited."

FINDING NEVERLAND marks Weinstein's debut as a lead Broadway producer.

FINDING NEVERLAND, the glorious new musical, soars into NYC this spring under the visionary direction of Tony Award-winner Paulus, featuring a magnificent cast led by Matthew Morrison ("Glee," South Pacific), Kelsey Grammer ("Frasier," La Cage aux Folles), Laura Michelle Kelly (Mary Poppins) and Carolee Carmello (Parade), with Teal Wicks, Alex Dreier, Aidan Gemme, Jackson DeMott Hill, Noah Hinsdale, Sawyer Nunes, Christopher Paul Richards, Hayden Signoretti, as well as Courtney Balan, Dana Costello, Colin Cunliffe, Rory Donovan, Chris Dwan, Kevin Kern, Josh Lamon, Melanie Moore, Mary Page Nance, Fred Odgaard, Emma Pfaeffle, Jonathan Ritter, Tyley Ross, Julius Anthony Rubio, Paul Slade Smith, Ron Todorowski, Jaime Verazin and Jessica Vosk.

Based on the Academy Award-winning Miramax motion picture by David Magee, and the play THE MAN WHO WAS PETER PAN by Allan Knee, Finding Neverland follows the relationship between playwright J. M. Barrie and the family that inspired Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up - one of the most beloved stories of all time. Directed by Tony-winner Diane Paulus (PIPPIN, HAIR)with book by Olivier Award-nominee James Graham, music and lyrics by Gary Barlow (TAKE THAT) and Grammy Award-winner Eliot Kennedy, choreography by Emmy Award-winner Mia Michaels ("So You Think You Can Dance," Cirque du Soleil's Delirium), this new musical, packed with mesmerizing visuals, irresistible songs and plenty of laughs, is a timeless story about the power of imagination... and spectacular proof that you never really have to grow up.

The production features scenic design by Tony Award-winner Scott Pask (PIPPIN, BOOK OF MORMON), lighting design by Tony Award-winner Kenneth Posner (THE COAST OF UTOPIA, PIPPIN), costume design by Suttirat Larlarb (OF MICE AND MEN), sound design by Tony Award-nominee Jonathan Deans (PIPPIN, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES) and the casting is by Telsey + Company. Finding Neverland is Executive Produced by Alecia Parker, Barry Weissler and Victoria Parker.

Performances for Finding Neverland begin Sunday, March 15 at Broadway's Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th Street). The official opening is set for Wednesday, April 15.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride