GOSSIP: Meryl Streep to star alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda & Emily Blunt in Mary Poppins Returns?

According to Variety, Meryl Streep is in talks to star in the upcoming film Mary Poppins Returns.

Reports suggest that Streep will play the role of Poppins' cousin, Topsy, a supporting character that wasn't in the 1964 classic. Streep would also sing for the part.

As previously announced, the sequel to Disney’s 1964 film Mary Poppins will star Hamilton's Lin-Manuel Miranda and Emily Blunt. The film's U.S. release date has been set for 25th December 2018.

The film will be helmed by Rob Marshall, with screenplay by David Magee based on The Mary Poppins Stories by P.L. Travers. Marc Shaiman will compose an all-new score, writing original songs with Scott Wittman.

GOSSIP: Michael Grandage to direct Guys & Dolls film remake

According to Deadline, British director Michael Grandage will direct 20th Century Fox’s film remake of Guys and Dolls.

Grandage previously directed the musical's 2005 West End revival starring Ewan McGregor, Douglas Hodge, Jane Krakowski and Jenna Russell. 

When Fox acquired the rights in 2013, it was reported that the studio were in talks with Channing Tatum and Joseph Gordon-Levitt to star in the film. No casting has been confirmed.

Details confirmed for Mary Poppins Returns starring Lin-Manuel Miranda & Emily Blunt

Details have been confirmed for the upcoming movie Mary Poppins Returns. 

As previously announced, the sequel to Disney’s 1964 film Mary Poppins will star Hamilton's Lin-Manuel Miranda and Emily Blunt. The film's U.S. release date has been set for 25th December 2018.

The film will be helmed by Rob Marshall, with screenplay by David Magee based on The Mary Poppins Stories by P.L. Travers. Marc Shaiman will compose an all-new score, writing original songs with Scott Wittman.

GOSSIP: Film adaptation of In The Heights in the works with Harvey Weinstein

Sam Mackay in In The Heights

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Harvey Weinstein has acquired the rights for a film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical In The Heights. 

Producer Scott Sanders is said to also be on board for the long-rumoured project. 

Universal previous had the rights for the movie; Kenny Ortega was rumoured to be directing the movie with a screenplay by Marc Klein and a budget of $37 million. 

Following Universal’s departure, Miranda said he was aiming for a “scrappy,” scaled-back production “keeping in spirit with the show.” A new director is yet to be announced. 

It's official! Lin-Manuel Miranda joins Emily Blunt in new Mary Poppins film

It has been confirmed that Lin-Manuel Miranda will star alongside Emily Blunt in Disney’s new Mary Poppins film.

According to The Wrap, the Hamilton writer and star is confirmed to play lamplighter Jack (not to be confused with Bert). Blunt takes on the title role.

With Miranda currently writing songs for Disney’s upcoming film Moana, there is speculation that he could also write some material for the Mary Poppins film.

Directed by Rob Marshall (Into The Woods), it is reported that the film will be set in London around twenty years after the original story. Screenwriter David Magee (Finding Neverland) is penning the film whilst Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Smash/Hairspray) are composing a new score featuring original songs. 

GOSSIP: Barry Levinson to direct Barbra Streisand in long rumoured Gypsy film?

Everything might finally be coming up roses for Barbra Streisand!

According to Variety, the star is one step closer to finally starring as Mama Rose in her long rumoured film adaptation of Gypsy.

STX Entertainment is reportedly in "advanced negotiations" to make Gypsy starring Streisand with Oscar-winner Barry Levinson directing. 

If everything is finalised, Streisand will produce the film alongside Joel Silver whilst Richard LaGravenese will write the script (naturally Streisand is involved in developing the script). Production could start this year.

GOSSIP: Emily Blunt in talks to star in Mary Poppins sequel?

According to Variety, Emily Blunt is in talks to star as the title role in Disney's new live-action musical sequel of Mary Poppins. 

If Blunt takes on the project, she would be reunited with Rob Marshall who previously directed her as the Baker's Wife in Disney's film adaptation of Into The Woods. It is reported that the film will be set in London around twenty years after the original story.

Blunt made her professional debut on stage opposite Judi Dench in The Royal Family. Her extensive screen credits include Boudica, My Summer of Love, Gideon's Daughter, The Devil Wears Prada, The Young Victoria, The Adjustment Bureau, Edge of Tomorrow, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, Gulliver's Travels, Gnomeo & Juliet, The Five-Year Engagement, Sicario and The Huntsman: Winter's War.

Samantha Barks lands role in Mozart film alongside James Purefoy

It has been announced that West End actress Samantha Barks will star alongside James Purefoy in Mozart drama Interlude in Prague.

London-based Carnaby will handle worldwide rights for the film, which will be presented to buyers at Berlin’s European Film Market. Filming is set to begin in Prague this April.

Directed by John Stephenson with a screenplay by Brian Ashby, Interlude in Prague is produced by Productive International’s Huw Penallt Jones along with Hannah Leader. Cinematography is by Michael Brewster with production design by Oscar winner Luciana Arrighi. Hybrid’s Charlotte Truman is composer and music producer.

GOSSIP: Tom Hooper to direct CATS film adaptation?

There have been rumours about Universal adapting Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Cats for the big screen for many years... however, it looks like the film might finally be happening!

Tom Hooper is reportedly in talks to direct the project for Working Title which would reunite the team behind the Les Miserables film adaptation. The Sun suggests filming could begin later this year and that Hooper wants former model Suki Waterhouse to star in the movie.

Cats recently returned to the London Palladium for a second season and is currently embarking on a UK and European tour. The musical is returning to Broadway this summer, opening at the Neil Simon Theatre on 2nd August 2016 (previews from 14th July).

Interview: Broadway’s Jeremy Jordan, star of The Last Five Years movie

Jeremy Jordan stars as Jamie alongside Anna Kendrick as Cathy in the film adaptation of Jason Robert Brown’s musical The Last Five Years.

The movie is currently being exclusively shown at London’s Empire Cinema in Leicester Square. Adapted and directed by Richard LaGravenese, The Last Five Years will be released in the UK on VOD on 1st May and DVD on 4th May 2015.

Described as a “touching story of heartbreak and passion”, The Last Five Years follows the highs and lows of a five year relationship. The musical premiered in Chicago in 2001 and was produced off-Broadway the following year.

Jeremy received a Tony nomination for originating the role of Jack Kelly in Newsies on Broadway. His Broadway credits also include originating the role of Clyde Barrow in Bonnie & Clyde and alternating the role of Tony in West Side Story. He also appeared in Rock of Ages. In addition to famously starring as Jimmy Collins in Smash, Jeremy’s screen credits include: Supergirl, Law & Order, Elementary, Submissions Only and Joyful Noise.

I recently spoke to Jeremy about why The Last Five Years stands apart from other musical movies, what he learnt from Anna Kendrick and how it feels to look back at his time in Newsies…

How did you react when you first heard about the possibility of starring in The Last Five Years on screen? 

I was thrilled! I mean, I’m one of those crazy people that knew every word of the album ten years ago. When I first heard it was coming to the screen Anna (Kendrick) was already attached, so I was like ‘If she’s attached they’re gonna get some A-lister guy to play Jamie’. But I guess they couldn’t find that, so my agent called me and said “They’re still looking for Jamie and have asked you to come and audition” and immediately in my brain I was like ‘I have to get this! This is my role and if I don’t get this then life is not worth living’ [laughs]. I was very ambitious about it, but I had loved the piece for a long time, as have many fans of musical theatre. They put me through the wringer, I think I had three or four auditions.

Tom Hanks co-producing film adaptation of Beautiful - The Carole King Musical

Carole King

It has been announced that a film based on Beautiful - The Carole King Musical is being produced by Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman and Paul Blake. 

Sony Pictures Entertainment has closed a deal to adapt the Broadway show into a feature film. The musical is being adapted by Douglas McGrath, who also wrote the book for the stage show. 

Making the announcement, Michael De Luca (from Sony Pictures) said: "Theatrical audiences both on Broadway and in the West End have responded to Beautiful not only to relive Carole King’s timeless classics, but to experience the ways they illustrate her triumphant and joyful life story. We’re thrilled to be bringing this inspiring and powerful musical to movie audiences everywhere."

Psycho to be screened at the Dominion Theatre with live 40-piece orchestra

It has been announced that the West End's Dominion Theatre will host a screening of Psycho on Wednesday 4th March 2015 with a live 40-piece orchestra. 

Celebrated as one of Hitchcock’s finest cinematic works, Psycho is consistently hailed as a groundbreaking film, and set the template for a whole new genre of hugely successful psychological thrillers. 

Film Review: Disney's Into The Woods

Lilla Crawford as Little Red Riding Hood

Into The Woods
Disney
Released 9th January 2015
★★★★★

Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's dark and twisted musical Into The Woods seemed an unlikely choice for a stage to screen adaptation from squeaky clean Disney. Intertwining several fairytales, Into The Woods tells a cleverly pieced together story that translates well on the big screen.

The film sees Cinderella (Anna Kendrick) fleeing from the ball, Little Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford) being pursued by the big bad wolf (Johnny Depp), Rapunzel (Mackenzie Mauzy) letting down her hair and Jack (Daniel Huttlestone) being chased down his beanstalk by the giant.

GOSSIP: Matthew Warchus' film Pride being adapted into stage musical?

According to the Daily Mail, Matthew Warchus' film Pride could be adapted into a musical.

Baz Bamigboye reports that Warchus and writer Stephen Beresford have been "discussing the possibility". Warchus said, "We would have to guard against it being too sentimental - or too over the top."

Bamigboye stresses that Pride may never make it to the stage; however, if it does it won't be until late 2016 or 2017. 

Film adaptation of The Last Five Years releases first trailer

As if we couldn't be more excited for the film adaptation of Jason Robert Brown's musical The Last Five Years, the first trailer has just been released! Check it out below.

The "touching story of heartbreak and passion" is brought to life on screen by Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan. The story chats the highs and lows of a five year relationship. Told almost entirely through song, The Last Five Years received its World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this year. 

Filled with the lively energy of New York City's cultural milieu, the film tells the story of the five-year relationship between rising novelist Jamie Wellerstein (Jeremy Jordan) and struggling actress Cathy Hyatt (Anna Kendrick). As Jamie's new novel vaults him to the top of the literary scene, Cathy is still doing summer stock in Ohio, and their diverging levels of success pose pressing and dire challenges to their love. 

Review: The Crucible on Screen

The Crucible on Screen 
Filmed at the Old Vic

★★★★

“A fire, a fire is burning! I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see his filthy face! And it is my face, and yours…”

Written sixty years ago about events that took place more than 300 years ago, Arthur Miller’s The Crucible is still just as shocking and relevant.

GOSSIP: Wicked movie still years away

Jennifer DiNoia as Elphaba

Speaking to Coming Soon, producer Marc Platt has revealed that the Wicked movie is "still a number of years down the line".

He said: "The movie of Wicked is still a number of years down the line. We've just started its development, because the show's still so strong with eight or nine companies around the world. That's coming in the future. 

"That's why I haven't been in a hurry, because it works so well on stage and audiences are enjoying it. It's not a timely story, it's a timeless story, so I've been very sanguine to let folks explore it theatrically and when we're ready we'll make a movie."

On stage Wicked has already been seen by more than 42 million people worldwide and grossed an excess of $3.4 billion at the Box Office. It has won 100 international awards.

The Last Five Years film adaptation announces UK cinema release date

It has been announced that the film adaptation of Jason Robert Brown's musical The Last Five Years will be released in cinemas on 12th December 2014.

The "touching story of heartbreak and passion" is brought to life on screen by Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan. The story chats the highs and lows of a five year relationship. Told almost entirely through song, The Last Five Years received its World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this year. 

First look at Into The Woods movie

Disney have released the first official images of their Into The Woods film adaptation starring Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Johnny Depp, Anna Kendrick and Chris Pine.

The film is released in UK cinemas on Friday 9th January 2015. Take a look at the images below (click on picture to enlarge).

Film Review: Jersey Boys

Jersey Boys (Film)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Released Friday 20th June 2014

When a film is adapted into a stage musical it's important the show is able to stand strong as a respectable piece of theatre in its own right, and I think the same applies when adapting a stage musical into a film. Clint Eastwood has certainly made his mark with his film adaptation of Jersey Boys.