The Daily Telegraph is reporting that Glenn Close, and Ewan McGregor have agreed to star in the long-anticipated film version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard. For Close, it'll be a reprisal of her Tony-winning performance as Norma Desmond on Broadway and for McGregor, it'll follow-up his current stage appearance in the West End production of Guys and Dolls.
Speaking to the paper, Austin Shaw, who is co-producing the film confirms the casting, and that the production is slated for a Christmas 2006 release. He also comments on many of the recent casting rumors for the film, noting that
Barbra Streisand was in the running, but "Glenn is the obvious choice" and
Hugh Jackman was also considered, but Ewan McGregor deemed to be a greater box-office draw.
The show, based on the Billy Wilder film, the musical, with music by
Andrew Lloyd Webber, book and lyrics by
Christopher Hampton and Don Black, had its world premiere at London's Adelphi Theatre on July 12, 1993. Silent movie star, Norma Desmond longs for a return to the big screen, having been discarded by tinsel town with the advent of "talkies" - her glamour faded in all but her mind. When she meets Joe Gillis, a struggling Hollywood screen- writer in dramatic circumstances their subsequently passionate and volatile relationship leads to an unforeseen and tragic conclusion.
Sunset Boulevard opened on Broadway at the Minskoff Theatre on November 17, 1994 with Close, Campbell and Hearn again recreating their roles from the Los Angeles production and
Alice Ripley joining as Betty Schaefer. The Broadway production opened with the highest advance in Broadway history ($37.5 million in ticket sales).
