Musicals that are coming to the big screen
The theatre industry in the UK was slowly recovering from government isolation rules. However, there is some good news!
Production companies are making musicals into films which you can watch from the comfort of your home.
Want to know which musicals are coming to the silver screen in the future? Keep reading!
1. Sunset Boulevard
Another iconic musical that has been in the pipeline for more than two decades to become a film is Sunset Boulevard. Over the years, the film faced multiple challenges which are never-ending. According to Andrew Lloyd Webber, the production on Sunset Boulevard film stalled.
When speaking to Variety, he said, “I wish I could say it’s going into production tomorrow morning, but it’s not.” Apparently Paramount is not enthusiastic about going ahead with the production. Glenn Close, who starred in the original Broadway production in 1994, has doggedly tried to have it made but to no avail.
2. Spamalot
Monty Python’s Spamalot, the hit Broadway musical comedy, is coming to the silver screen. Adapted from the 1975 film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Spamalot is a parody of King Arthur’s quest for the Holy Grail.
The original 2005 stage musical, directed by Mike Nichols, received more than 14 Tony Awards nominations. It won in three categories, including Best Musical. Casting and filming began in early 2021, and a lot of development is already complete. The screenplay is by Monty Python’s, Eric Idle.
3. Once on This Island
Once on This Island film adaptation is in development for Disney+. This is after Marc Platt and Walt Disney Pictures bought film rights to adapt the stage musical into a feature film. Based on the 1985 novel “My Love, My Love; or The Peasant Girl” by Rosa Guy, Once on This Island was originally staged at Broadway running from 1990 to 1991. It was later revived on Broadway and opened in 2017.
Once on This Island is set in the French Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. It concerns a peasant girl who uses the power of love to bring people of different social classes together. Africa Movie Academy Award Winner, Wanuri Kahiu will direct the film, and Jocelyn Bioh will write the screenplay.
4. The Color Purple
The Color Purple is a book written by Alice Walker and turned into a film by Steven Spielberg. In 2005, they turned the film into a Broadway musical, and once again, The Color Purple movie is set to hit theatres on December 20th, 2023.
News of this development arrived on the heels of the 2015 Broadway production. This second film adaptation will not be like the original film. Instead, Warner Brother is planning a musical. The Color Purple tells the story of Celie Harris and her struggles while living in the racist South in the 1900s. Songwriter/singer H.E.R is set to star in the film as Squeak, a waitress with dreams of being a singer.
5. Bare: A Pop Opera
Another coming-of-age rock musical set to be a film is Bare. Written by John Hartmere, the musical is about the struggles of two gay students at a Catholic boarding school. The original cast included Michael Arden and John Hill as secret gay lovers Peter and Jason.
Bare is significant within the history of LGBTQ theatre. However, it’s enjoyed by straight people as it shows the bare humanity of issues many people face, not just sexuality. Original Bare director, Kristin Hanggi is set to direct the film adaptation.
6. Little Shop of Horrors
This 1986 horror black comedy musical film, adapted from the 1982 Broadway musical, is getting a reboot. The horror-comedy about a man-eating plant is also going to be a musical, and Greg Berlanti will direct it.
This film adaptation will feature A-list stars from the Marvel Cinematic Universe – Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson. It will also feature Rocketman star, Taron Egerton. The film will follow the 1986 hit but we do expect a few tweaks.
7. Mean Girls
Mean Girls the movie musical is set to grace the silver screen soon. Paramount Pictures has already signed up Arturo Perez Jr and Samantha Jayne. The couple has previously worked on Quarter Life Poetry and other short films.
Tina Fey, who starred in the original film, will be writing the screenplay for the new film adaptation. The new film will not be a remake of the original. She also confirmed that Amanda Seyfried, Rachel McAdams, and Lindsay Lohan, who played lead roles, will not be returning.
8. Wicked
Wicked, the smash-hit Broadway musical, is coming to the silver screen. While getting the musical onto the silver screen has been a challenge, it’s finally happening. Ariana Grande, a long-time Wicked fan, will play Glinda, a role made famous by Kristin Chenoweth.
Ariana is no stranger to musicals. She has previously performed songs from the musical such as a remix of Glinda’s song, “Popular,” and for Wicked’s 15th Anniversary special. Cynthia Erivo is also set to star alongside Ariana.
9. Spring Awakening
Another iconic Broadway musical set to become a film is Spring Awakening. Based on an 1891 play of the same name, the musical is about the sexual awakening of troubled adolescents in late 19th century Germany. Winner of eight Tony Awards, Spring Awakening was a star-making vehicle for the likes of Jonathan Groff and Lea Michele.
Plans for the film adaptation began in 2009, and Joseph McGinty Nichol will helm the silver screen version. In terms of casting, no one knows. But we are keeping our fingers crossed.
10. Be More Chill
The Broadway musical Be More Chill is getting a silver screen version. 21 Laps and Berlanti Productions will produce the film adaptation based on the novel by Ned Vizzini. Be More Chill tells the story of Jeremy Heere, a teenager at Middleborough High in New Jersey. When he finds out about “The Squip” everything changes. No news of the cast yet. But stay tuned for details on the big-screen version.
