Will Glenn Close headline "Sunset Boulevard" feature?
When and if a big-screen version of "Sunset Boulevard" is made, it appears that Glenn Close, who won a Tony for her performance as Norma Desmond on Broadway, would play the lead.I just read all of this on AfterEllen.com which I do not check enough and shgould because it is filled with goodies. The site had previosuly had a poll and its readers agreed that Close was the best choice with 55 percent picking her over Meryl Streep (27 percent) and Barbra Streisand (18 percent). I'm sure Babs isn't interested but I would think Streep would also be an excellent choice.
But if I could cast the role? I'd give it to the great Patti LuPone who originated the role on the London stage but was dumped before the Broadway run (which she was contracted to do) in favor of Close who had triumphed in the Los Angeles production.
LuPone deserved better.
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Greg Hernandez authored Out In Hollywood for the Daily News from June 2006 to February 2009. He can now be found at Greg In Hollywood: www.greginhollywood.com
Having seen LuPone, Close, Buckley, Paige. Close was the worst of the bunch. I wonder how many in that poll actually saw her in the role. The most sympathetic in the role was Buckley. I would really doubt this movie will ever be made.
If not Glenn Close, certainly not Streep. I couldn't see it then.
I had the surprise of a lifetime seeing Petula Clark play Norma Desmond in London. Surprise is a mild term. She was excellent. I couldn't believe it was actually her. I can never think of "Don't Sleep in the Subway" again after hearing her sing "With one Look!"
At the time they replaced Patti LuPone for Broadway, not only did she get a huge chunk of cash in her settlement but it was said that she would get the role if a movie were made. Streisand is 65, Glenn is 60, Streep and Lupone are both 58 and all them older than Gloria Swanson who was a mere 53 when she garnered an Oscar nomination. But age hardly matters role this role. Has anyone consider Angela Lansbury?
if Barbra Streisand does not do this role, NO ONE WILL EVER GO TO SEE IT!
She IS the ONLY ONE for this or any other role that requires someone to actually sing!
Actually, this is not a great musical, and I doubt if she is even interested in being associated with it!
If you doubt that Glenn close can do this role, find the video of "Celebration," filmed live at Royal Albert Hall on the occasion of Andrew Lloyd Webber's 50th birthday. She steals the show along with a very hottt Antonio Banderas singing numbers from "Evita."
With all due respect, to think that Barbra Streisand is in the same league as Patti Lupone is simply silly. Streisand may have the commercial clout but certainly not the vocal clout of Lupone. Streisand doesn't have the power or the range of Lupone.