RIALTO CHATTER: Justin Timberlake To Star In Guy Ritchie's GUYS AND DOLLS Remake?

Pop superstar Justin Timberlake may be headed to the silver screen in Guy Richie's upcoming remake of GUYS AND DOLLS. The performer is said to have agreed to star in one of Richie's new films, and the pair "shook hands over a whisky at the Punch Bowl pub in Mayfair" to confirm the arrangement, reports Britain's The Sun.

Ritchie, whose new film "Sherlock Holmes," starring Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law and Rachel McAdams, will be released domestically December 25, has numerous potential projects in which Timberlake could also appear. Guy's 'DOLLS' would allow the talented Timberlake to feature his singing on the big screen.

To read the entire UK Sun article, click here.

Justin Timberlake began his career as part of famed boy band 'N Sync, but soon split off into a solo spotlight, releasing his debut album "Justified", which sold more than 7 million copies worldwide. Over the course of his solo career, Timberlake has already sold more than 18 million records. The singer ventured into films with 2004's "Edison Force," followed by notable appearances in "Alpha Dog," "Black Snake Moan" and Dreamsworks' "Shrek the Third." Timberklake has become an audience favorite with his frequent appearances on NBC's "Saturday Night Live." The enterprising Timberlake also has his hand in several other industries; the performer is co-owner of three restaurants and has a fashion label. In February, Timberlake was named "Most Stylish Man in America" by GQ Magazine.

In late May, the Sun reported that filmmaker Guy Ritchie was reportedly in Hollywood to begin writing a script for a big screen remake of Guys And Dolls.

The director, best known for the London-based crime films Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch, was said to be working with his favorite leading man, action star Jason Statham on a reworking of the classic musical, which originally starred Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra.

A source told the The Sun, "Guy has been on the case with the idea of making a musical recently. He had been throwing ideas around with Jason Statham about writing their own musical. "Guy has had a lot of meetings with top studio bosses about other projects but the Guys And Dolls idea really tickled him."

But Ritchie, reports the paper, was hoping for familiar surrondings when actually shooting begins - he was apparently considering basing the song-and-dance classic in his native Britain. The insider revealed, "He is torn between keeping the script true to the original in New York or taking it to locations in London." To read the full article in the Sun click here.

One of the musicals that defined the Golden Era of Broadway, Guys and Dolls, with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, made its Broadway premiere in 1950, ran for 1200 performances, and won 15 Tony awards, including Best Musical. The show brought "Runyonland," the world of author Damon Runyon, to life. Its score includes some of the most popular songs of the era including "I'll Know," "A Bushel and Peck," "If I Were A Bell," "Guys and Dolls," and "Luck Be a Lady."

It premiered on the big screen in 1955 starring Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, Frank Sinatra and Vivian Blaine. A popular 1976 Broadway revival featured an entirely African American cast including Bowl cast member Ken Page. A 1992 Broadway revival directed by Jerry Zaks, brought the show alive for a new generation. Starring Peter Gallagher,Faith Prince, Nathan Lane and Josie de Guzman, this production was so celebrated that coverage of its opening was front page news in The New York Times. A current Broadway revival stars Oliver Platt, Lauren Graham, Craig Bierko and Kate Jennings Grant.