"Sunset Boulevard" Rumors... Again.
Saturday, August 19, 2017 at 12:00PM by Nathaniel R
She's baaaa-aaack. It's AS IF WE NEVER SAID GOODBYE
You may have heard that plans are afoot (again) to bring Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard musical to the big screen. It will be a Paramount Pictures production. For giggles, I was attempting to find an old article from the last time rumors spread that Glenn Close was going to transfer her Tony success to the big screen and republish it nearly intact "As If We Never Said Goodbye" to this rumor (haha. I'm here all week.) Alas, the article hid itself though I remember writing it. But what year to even search for such a thing? This rumor is perennial...
Sunset Blvd famously began its cultural life as an original noir from Billy Wilder in 1950 -- only one of the greatest movies of all time, no biggie. Fortyish years later it was musicalized by then hit-maker Andrew Lloyd Webber. Within its first three years or productions the musical was beset by all sort of offstage drama regarding its leading lady (Ria Jones played the role in its first abridged showcase in 1991 and when it went to traditional theaters Patti Lupone took over. Glenn Close replaced her for the Broadway run sparking a lawsuit from LuPone! Since then the role of Norma Desmond, which will forever belong to Gloria Swanson from the 1950 film, has gone through other actresses (including Diahann Carroll and Betty Buckley) but came back round to Broadway again with Glenn Close reprising her role more than twenty years later.
Gloria Swanson was 51 years old when Sunset Blvd hit theaters in 1950 and Glenn Close was 48 years old when she won the Tony for the same role on Broadway. Rumors have been blooming and dying ever since that she'll reprise the role on screen. Glenn Close is now 70 years old but the beauty of Norma Desmond is that she is, in an ironic sort of way, ageless. The actress playing her need only be a 'woman of a certain age' who prefers living within her more glamorous past and ignoring the reality of the now.
Stage Joe Gillis's Kevin Anderson (early 90s), John Barrowman & Hugh Jackman (mid 90s), Michael Xavier (Broadway revival)
[CAST THIS TANGENT: As for who might direct or play the male co-lead Joe Gillis, there is only speculation and no actual news. Michael Xavier played the role in the Broadway revival but it's worth noting that a bonafide movie star Hugh Jackman also played this role on stage (albeit before the bonafide movie stardom). Who would you cast for a 2018 film version to follow in his footsteps or would you just go with Jackman since if Norma has aged up maybe her younger man can get older, too? /TANGENT]
I may not have much personal affection for this stage musical (like most of Webber's musicals the ratio of good songs to filler is agonizing) but let's hope it comes to film anyway. There's always a chance it could be improved with nips and tucks ...and a new song or two? As for whether or not Glenn Close could ever win that long elusive Oscar for it? Let's not get ahead of ourselves. It bears repeating that Gloria Swanson lost and wouldn't it be strange for someone else to win Hollywood's greatest honor by revamping her signature role?
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Reader Comments (73)
I mean, if they really wanted to go wacko and meta (in true Sunset Boulevard fashion) they'd cast Patti in the picture and film the backyard scenes in the Andrew Loyd Webber Memorial Pool.
The role is Glenn's. Period.
No Mery Streep - period. She takes everything. I was somewhat pleased when "masterclass" crashed and burned due to the death of Mike Nichols. He signed Streep for that - in the meantime, Dunaway played the part on stage and worked her ass off to get it on screen. Not fair. My first choice - no doubt - would be Larger-than-life Streisand. Perfection. I saw it 2x - last March and 20 years ago with Close....very good....however a little over the top. And the make-up made her look like a raccoon. She's a solid screen actress - but no one really goes to a Glenn close movie. I agree with someone who wrote "sunset Blvd" and "gypsy" are both dinosaurs. Probably true among the greater public. I can't image either being made for the screen. Hamilton - yes. Second choice could be a comeback for La Cher. Close needs a "diving miss daisy" to finally get her Oscar.
SoSue - I read that article too Streep said this role belongs to her friend Glenn. It must be around the time Streep doing publicity for Into the Woods or Rickie and the Flash.
I hope it get made, this role belongs to Glenn Close. Period. By the way, The Wife will premiere at Toronto and screen at San Sebastian. After that she will receive lifetime achievement at Zurich. It at least indicates that Close will be an important name at this year best actres race. If she can come back this year, then it's the right time to make Sunset Boulevard the movie with her.
It would be better with Chris Pine and Meryl Streep, but Glenn may be *okay.* What about Luke Evans for the William Holden part. He is affordable and dreamy.
Chris Pine for Joe Gillis, or his "Agony" partner, Billy Magnussen
Meryl doesn't steal roles. They are presented to her and for some of those roles no one else had gotten Awards Attention if we're honest. But she won't steal the role from Glenn. It's hers and Meryl knows it.
@Jimmy
"diving miss daisy" - is this the porn version?
Give the role to Close - she needs another shot at Oscar
I would accept a Glenn Close Sunset Blvd movie on the condition that she loses the oscar to Hilary Swank.
I need a break from Meryl Streep musicals.
Arkaan -- this is the meanest but funniest joke. Hillary Swank ARRRRRGH.
I just imagined Meryl doing this and how absolutely breathtaking she would be.
I have only ever listened to the score of Sunset Blvd, never seen it performed. And while scores are always better when seen performed, I still don't think it's a particularly memorable selection of songs beyond the requisite two of three Webber smashes.
I'm in the minority in finding Close in the recent revival TERRIBLE. Maybe she was having an off night, but her voice was simply not good, breaking all over the place but hitting the big notes. And she played Norma's madness right from the beginning, which makes you lose almost all sympathy for her. My sister (who I went with because of our Love Of Glenn Close) had never seen the film of Sunset Boulevard, and was utterly confused by what was going on because she thought Norma was just crazy. I'm not sure if that's built into the show or if that was Glenn's performance, but I found it very poorly thought out/executed. Watching the show was one of the strangest theatrical experiences I've ever had, as everyone around me seemed to be watching a different show, giving her multiple ovations for every number when both my sister and I thought she was just okay, bordering on bad.
The idea of her doing a movie version, based on what I saw on stage, is slightly terrifying to me. I'm sure the singing problems won't be a problem (live theater being what it is, an unforgiving mistress), but the acting choices were so off for me that it would need a total rethink. Personally I'd rather see Catherine Zeta-Jones in the role if they must make a film of such a mediocre musical. Chris Pine is a great choice for Joe Gillis, although I'd also be fine with John Barrowman (SWOON) doing it again.
Aaron, Jono and Jamie - I AGREE! Sorry Nathaniel - but your logic doesn't work with regard to Meryl being too successful to do this part justice. In fact, it seems like one of the most egregious things I've read that you've written. Bottom line - anyone who makes a movie wants to sell tickets and there is NO other actress in this age range who has the box office draw that Streep possesses. PLUS - you need an actress who was/is - in fact - bigger than life, beyond the norm and there is no other actress in the world who fits that bill better than Streep. And I think people would love to see her as a has-been on screen - knowing that she could deliver the range, the look, and the voice. My apologies but Glenn Close is no superstar - certainly not on film - and giving this role to anyone other than THE superstar seems crazy. Some of you may not like it - but Streep is the REIGNING DIVA of the film industry and since she actually has the skills to really do this part justice - it's just crazy to think of anyone else.
As for Liza - it's an interesting idea - but she never had the face of a superstar from that era. As for Michelle Pfeiffer - I think that's a brilliant idea because she has the power, the vulnerability, the bone structure and the glamour BUT can she honestly sing it and can she hit it to the back of the house? Annette Bening is too human - I mean, she can be cold and hard but that woman is strength and warmth and I just can't see her fragile the way Norma has to be fragile. That's the problem we'd run into with Streisand. I just don't know if she'd ever allow herself to be that fragile. And Bette - well, again - she can be a mess like in THE ROSE but I can't see her being a mess like Norma.
Hate it all you want but I honestly believe, if everyone really thinks about it, and gets past their resentment and prejudice about Meryl Streep - there really is no one better equipped for this role - in ALL areas - than her. Yes, she is a little old for the part but I don't think most audience members are going to recognize that - she is the sort of character who is, as Nathaniel indicated, a bit ageless (as long as you look 50 or more).
I don't mean to be negative. I loved the movie / loved the musical in '94 - I thought Close was great in her Tony-winning role. A little too much at times - but very good. I seriously doubt the movie is really marketable in 2018 and beyond. I would love to see it - but most people under the age of 50 don't know / don't care about the movie or who Gloria Swanson or William Holden are. Female driven stories don't typically do well at the box office. I would assume Close's one box office smash was "Fatal Attraction." With all due respect, most people under the age of 40 don't know who she is. FYI - today, I was talking about Jerry Lewis - half the people i work with have never heard of him.
Meryl Streep - nominated for everything she's in. But I maintain she's not really a box office draw. Florence Foster Jenkins? Doubt? August Osage County? I don't think she will bring an audience to "Sunset Blvd." She's also not known for being a great singer. She can sing yes.
How to possibly get "Sunset Blvd" off the ground and to the screen? Put in Taylor Swift or Gaga or Rihanna as Betty Schaeffer - expand the role a little and give her a few songs - they'd have a shot at best supporting actress. Get a super sexy young guy like Oscar Isaac in the role of Joe - give him a few shirtless, semi-nude scenes. Barbra Streisand or Cher.....both still have star value. BIG singers. Both are great promoters. Streisand has wanted to do "Gypsy" for the past several years and it's fallen apart and she's too old. She's not too old for Sunset Blvd. Barbra or Cher. I'd love to see either one of them. #firstinline.
To be fair Jimmy, Into the Woods grossed domestic $128,002,372 and foreign $85,114,029, for a worldwide gross of $213,116,401. Sure it was an ensemble and a well known musical, but Streep was the face on the poster. She actually does help to sell movie tickets. That kind of money would be a big bar for Glenn or anyone else to achieve and/or match for a movie version of Sunset Boulevard (which frankly sounds dreary to me). But I do think Glenn had it written into her past stage contract that she gets first dib on the movie role, she just led a successful revival of the musical, and that is why she is in "advanced talks" for the movie. I am also sure Meryl supports her 100% and does not want this role (even though she would kill it for al the reasons that billybil identifies above). I hope it does get made and is a huge success for Glenn.
Sandra Bernhard is Norma Desmond!
I see the discussion goes on. The Tina Turner idea gave me a chuckle. She might be able to pull it off, but wow! This role demands acting chops for sure. And I don't think it's a dinosaur affair since it's a character study, and Norma Desmond is an interesting character at that. Now Angela Basset might be an interesting choice. She's always good, emotional, and ready to burst.
Betty Buckley is my choice
@Jaragon, Liza always seemed like a natural fit for this, but not sure these days if she could handle it vocally. Eva Green is an inspired pick, also someone like Christine Ebersole.
Not sure it's even a good idea to do this (flashbacks of "Nine"), but with with something like an adaptation of a musical of a film, it really needs an unconventional direction and vision to make it have it's own voice.
I don't see how this movie gets the green light. Remember the Emmy Rossum version of Phantom? That was abysmal, and made zippo dollars. I just don't think the normal moviegoing audience is going to want to see a musical version of a multiple time done show that is essentially a musical of an old movie. I love Glenn more than anything, but give it up. I like the idea of her other recent and future projects more.