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Wicked Film and "Jesus
Christ Superstar" Remake on Platt's Plate
15 Jul
2008
Source:
www.playbill.com
Writer:
Andrew Gans
Marc Platt with Wicked composer
Stephen Schwartz
Marc Platt
has extended his contract with Universal Pictures for five years,
according to Variety.
Marc Platt
Productions currently has several projects of interest to theatre
plans in the works, including a film version of the international
hit Wicked, a remake of the 1973 Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice
film "Jesus Christ Superstar" and a new motion picture about the
life of the late composer George Gershwin.
Universal
Pictures production president Donna Langley told the industry paper,
"Our goal now is absolutely to make the Wicked film, but much
like Judy Craymer wouldn't give up screen rights to Mamma Mia!
until the stage show had reached its pinnacle, Marc and Stephen
Schwartz are very mindful of the right timing. But we're dying to do
it."
Platt told
Variety that he and Wicked co-producer David Stone are
currently in "early movie talks" with the studio. Winnie Holzman,
who penned the Tony-nominated book for Wicked, will write the
film's screenplay. No casting has been mentioned.
Platt is also
currently in discussions with several filmmakers for a remake of
"Jesus Christ Superstar," the film based on the Lloyd Webber-Rice
musical of the same name. Norman Jewison directed the original 1973
rock opera film.
Also on
Platt's plate: the Rob Marshall-directed "Nine" for the Weinstein
Company and the aforementioned biographical film "Gershwin" penned
by Doug Wright. The latter, which Platt will create with Michael
Feinstein, revolves around "Gershwin's life during the formative
stages of Porgy and Bess," according to Variety.
Platt will be
represented on Broadway next season with the revival of Pal Joey
at Studio 54 co-starring Christian Hoff, Stockard Channing and
Martha Plimpton.
Information
submitted by Dean Drieberg |