The 2002 musical and dance film "Chicago", which was once well-known to the public, originated from a famous stage script adapted from a real event in 1926, and was adapted into a movie twice in subsequent years.

Then, the story regained attention in 1975.

Bob Fox, a famous Hollywood filmmaker and Broadway stage drama master, adapted "Chicago" into a musical, and it made a sensation in the year it started. Not only did it win several Tony Awards, but it also performed thousands of shows around the world in subsequent years.

Although it was a great success in business and awards, "Chicago" was as controversial as director and screenwriter Bob Fous himself. The play rarely uses the technique of "breaking the fourth wall" and frequently "interacting" with the audience, which makes many viewers feel uncomfortable.

In addition, it is obvious that the public opinion circle cannot like "Chicago"'s spicy satire of the media that only knows how to pursue hot topics completely disregard morality and ethics, and the American celebrity culture that does nothing to do in order to gain exposure.

Perhaps because of its overwhelming subversiveness, after several years of tours from Broadway to the West End of London to the Sydney Opera House in Australia, coupled with the changes in the team at that time, the musical ended in 1983 and failed to become a Broadway resident drama like "The Phantom of the Opera".

So until two years ago.

In 1996, "Chicago" was rebooted on Broadway, basically based on Bob Fox's style. Because it was not favored in advance, it was all kinds of streamlined savings from the cast to the stage set, but the result was beyond expectations.

The restarted version not only achieved great success after the performance that year, quickly recovered costs and achieved profitability, but also created a Tony Award record for the restarted version of the stage drama, winning six major awards that year.

Then, the production of the movie version is naturally put on the agenda.

When Hollywood studios paid attention to the copyright of "Chicago", they found that this IP had long been taken over by Daenerys Entertainment. It is a normal practice for film companies to hoard script copyrights, and it is not surprising that each company can only sigh at Simon Westeros's vision again.

However, because the film list is too full, Simon did not rush to start it two years ago, until now.

On the original timeline, "Chicago" achieved a box office of more than $300 million worldwide with a production cost of $45 million in 2002, surpassing the signatures of "Pulp Novel", "The Mind Catcher", "Shape's Love History" and became the most popular movie produced by Miramax at the time.

On the other hand, the success of "Chicago" actually stimulated the Weinstein brothers' ambitions, running wildly on the road to large-scale literary films. In the following years, the repeated mistakes of major productions such as "Cold Mountain" and "Nine" eventually led to Miramax and Disney's separation.

This time Miramax has long disappeared. Of course Simon won't miss "Chicago". He had quietly bought the copyright when he was searching for the list a few years ago. At that time, the musical of "Chicago" had been stopped for many years and did not attract much attention.

The project was officially launched a few months ago, and Simon did not take any detours. He directly locked in the original director and screenwriter. The early script was completed, and casting was officially started during this period.

In fact, Simon, the role candidate, is basically aware of it.

However, this part of the process was not directly finalized, but the Gaomen Film Team, who was in charge of the project, arranged normal auditions, and of course, it was limited to auditions within a small range.

Boeing 767's front cabin living room.

Simon is currently focusing on the role issue.

The information in hand shows that Katherine Zeta-Jones participated in the audition and simply saw the audition sample. Simon directly marked the document and finalized it as the first heroine, Wilma Kelly.

Then there is the second heroine, Rothy Hart.

The original Renee Zellweger was not among the auditioners, but even if she participated in the audition, Simon would directly PASS.

It's really too different from my own aesthetic.

Speaking of which, in the preparatory stage of "Chicago", Rothy Hart's role basically fell on Charlize Theron. However, before the finalization, Renee Zellweger, who was not very competitive, suddenly made a big splash in "BJ Single Diary", instantly entered the front line, and then easily squeezed Charlize Theron down.

And, if it weren't for Katherine Zeta-Jones' backstage being tough enough, Renee Zeveer would obviously not be content with the role of Rothy Hart.

During the filming process, until the Oscars of the following year, the two heroines of "Chicago" frequently quarreled gossips, but the text position on the movie posters in the promotional stage, and other issues. The two agents faced each other for several months. Because there was no negotiation on the left and right issues, the official had to launch several posters, one left and one right, one right and one left.

Judging from Simon's current position, I just think it's very interesting.

A few days ago, at the afterglow party of "The Great Collision of Heaven and Earth", Madonna talked about participating in the audition of "Chicago". Simon half-jokingly said that Queen McGrady was too difficult, but she thought of the two heroines in "Chicago".

Although Queen McGrady is unreliable in all kinds of things to do in Hollywood, this project is very suitable in all aspects.

In terms of the materials in hand, Queen Mc hopes to participate in the first heroine Wilma Kelly, who has relatively more scenes. Since it has been confirmed that Zeta Jones, Simon can give only Rothy Hart.

Without considering other things, referring to the original memory and even Queen McGrath's fame experience, it is obvious that the other party is more suitable for the role of Rothy Hart.

But Simon is obviously worried.

The Queen's combat power is more than ten times stronger than Renee Zellweger. If she participates in the role, she is not the role she wants most. At that time, the crew will likely be in chaos. With Madonna's status, no one can suppress it unless Simon often goes to the scene to watch.

Simon obviously didn't have this time.

After consideration, only comments can be made to be determined.

If the Queen is willing to settle for the second best, Simon will come forward and talk to the other party in person and make three rules.

If you don't agree, change someone.

Continue to follow the audition list to view the video. There are many actresses participating in the audition this time. In addition to the two women Simon likes, there are also Nicole Kidman, Demi Moore, Rachel Vizi, Mia Coschna, Julian Moore, Charlize Theron, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Chastain and other groups of actresses with different status participated in the audition.

Even if you can't handle Madonna, there is still a group to choose from.

And without much consideration, the third candidate was marked directly, Charlize Theron.

Mainly because Theron has had years of dance foundation.

When shooting song and dance films, if the actors can’t dance and rely on the urgent training before filming, the effect will definitely not be very good. Just like the original "Chicago", the gap between Renee Zetweger, who has no background and Katherine Zeta-Jones, who has started to learn dance since childhood, is very obvious.

However, Theron also has a disadvantage, that is, his fame is still a bit low now.

This is not a problem.

First of all, the first song of "The Lord of the Rings" will be released next year. As the actor of "The Elf Princess", Theron will definitely become famous. It is initially confirmed that the first song of "The Lord of the Rings" will be released next year's Thanksgiving, while "Chicago" is Christmas, and it is also the main feature of the subsequent Oscars. This back-to-back is a kind of iron while the iron is hot.

In addition, the IP popularity of "Chicago" itself can also make up for the shortcomings of the actor's status.

After all, choosing well-known actors, just like adapting movies based on well-known novels, is to gain a certain basic popularity in advance. However, countless dark horses in Hollywood have repeatedly proved that the movie itself is the most important thing.

As for choosing famous actors, it is actually a kind of conservative.

Simon is not opposed to this conservativeness. After all, Hollywood invests tens of millions, and few people will take it lightly. However, he will never believe in this conservativeness. If he can't reach an agreement with the big names or is inappropriate, then he will decisively change people.

The plan for the heroine was determined, and the actor who played the hero "Billy Flynn".

This Simon was also decided directly, Hugh Jackman.

It can be said that it is the most modified one compared to the original version.

Simon neither likes the original Richard Kiel, and in memory, the other party's performance in the film is very mediocre. Even if the current salary of this male star is very cheap due to historical changes, Simon does not intend to use it.

Another popular candidate, John Travolta, Simon, considered it, or gave up.

I can't afford it this time.

Starting from "Pulp Novels", to "Broken Arrow" and "Face Change" in recent years, with Daenerys Entertainment, Travolta has remained firmly in the front line, and commercial films must have a maximum salary of 15 million yuan. Even for song and dance films like "Chicago", due to the good relationship between the two parties, even if Travolta is willing to reduce the pay by himself, the corresponding share terms must be given here.

Since you are sure that this is a big profit project, the share of the money is almost the same as the maximum salary.

Not cost-effective.

Moreover, Simon is not the kind of person who talks about feelings when others talk about money. It is his creed that brothers can settle accounts clearly. Otherwise, no matter how deep the relationship is, it will be over sooner or later.

Another reason is that the core of "Chicago" is the two heroines, Billy Flynn is not that important, so there is no need to find too big-name characters.

Hugh Jackman, who has become famous in Hollywood with "Mega Time and Space Contact" and "Los Angeles Confidential" for the past year, just happened to have signed a package agreement for three films, which happened to be the last one. Simple contact can be completed with $3 million.

A price that is neither high nor low.

Although the summer "Los Angeles Secret" is a top-notch movie, it is a group drama with three male protagonists. Even if Jackman is the first male protagonist, it is not a testament to his appeal. It can only be said to have a certain popularity. In addition, participating in the famous musical adaptation of "Los Angeles Secret" can further broaden the acting path for Jackman himself.

There are not many actors in Hollywood who can cross various themes. The saddest thing is that they are limited to young actors in youth films, which are basically difficult to break through. As soon as Jackman debuted, he spanned three themes of science fiction, crime, and singing and dancing. As long as the three films have received good responses, the road ahead will be smooth.

As for Uncle Wolf's singing and dancing skills, not to mention the other party's orthodox stage actor, those who have watched "The King of Circus" and "Les Miserables" probably wouldn't doubt it.

Simon thought about it while finally writing his comments on the casting document about "Chicago".

Finally, he circled the name of one of the women who participated in the audition.

Alessandra Martinis.

The "Golden Rose Cave Princess" who was rebelled out of Italy and elopement with her.

Unlike other actresses who want to win Vierma, Martinis auditioned for Rothy.

Women's performances and singing and dancing are fine. After all, they were born as professional dancers, but they are a little older, 35 years old this year, and have a little low fame. In recent years, they have been with Simon, and His Royal Highness has participated in some stage plays and film and television dramas. They are familiar with each other, but if they want to support "Chicago", they are definitely not as good as Simon's key alternatives.

Simon encircled women, mainly because he had not seen each other for a long time. He could go to women on the East Coast overnight on the next few days.

This is also a stunner.

At the age of 35, he is also a beautiful woman who successfully resists the aging attributes of Western women, and has more mature charm.

After reading the information about "Chicago", Simon just closed the folder and the little maid who had been snuggling around him took it attentively, put it on the coffee table in front of him, and then got the next copy for Simon.

This time, some new project information is being brewed recently.

Simon flipped open his hand and stroked the little maid beside him, asking casually: "Are you bored?"

The little maid shook her head repeatedly, raised her head, and looked over with big eyes: "No, Mr. Westeros, it's my honor to be by your side."

Simon smiled and signaled to the coffee table in front of him, but said to the other two: "Two princesses, show me and see if the flowers bloom."

Having been involved in several experiences, Big Eyes and Ziweihua certainly understood what the flower bloomed in the same stalks. After seeing the man say this, the little maid diligently stepped forward to help clean up the documents and things on the coffee table. The two women glared at her at the same time, but they did not dare to disobey the man's orders. They quickly climbed onto the coffee table and hugged each other.

Simon just occasionally glanced at the lily scene on the coffee table, and focused on the documents in his hand.

Among some projects that are being brewed, the first is "Black Dahlia", which is adapted from a real historical event and is also the most famous "Los Angeles Four-part" by James Elorry, a famous writer including "Los Angeles Secret" which was sold during the summer.

The Gaomen Pictures team still suggested that Brian de Palma be responsible for it, and Palma also gave a positive response.

Then there are some production ideas such as preliminary script concepts.

The 2006 version of "Black Dahlia" directed by Palma ended in failure. Simon, who knew the inside story, understood that Palma just took over a mess for David Finch. Simon didn't have much concern about making a new version by Palma a few years in advance.

If you think about it for a little, please make annotation on the high-sect side as soon as possible.

Then he went through several project planning, passed or rejected it, and soon came to another project from Italy, which made Simon raise his eyebrows slightly.
Chapter completed!