Sunset Boulevard (2008 film)

Sunset Boulevard is an upcoming 2008 film by Paramount Pictures and the Relevant Picture Company. It is an adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's MusicAL of the same name which is itself based on the 1950 film. The production was announced in 2005, with The Release originally planned for 2006. This has since been postponed to 2008.

Cast

Glenn Close had been mentioned as playing the role of Norma Desmond, which she previously performed on Broadway, winning a Tony award. However, although Close's casting has been regularly announced, Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group have yet to confirm it themselves, and Close has not officially been contracted. Although Glenn Close performed the role to huge success on Broadway, there is speculation over whether Elaine Paige should get the part in the film version. Paige played the role in London and Broadway (up until the show's demise in 1997) to Critical Acclaim. The August 5, 2007 Telegraph.co.uk reports that several actresses are being considered, among them Close, Meryl Streep, and Barbra Streisand.

Ewan McGregor was previously announced as playing Joe Gillis, but most sources citing his name - including the Internet Movie Database – have retracted such statements. Hugh Jackman, who played Joe Gillis in an Australian production of the stage musical, has also been considered for the role of Joe. Again, no firm casting has been announced.

Plot

Struggling 1950s screenwriter Joe Gillis pulls into a seemingly abandoned Sunset Boulevard mansion to hide from debt collectors, and finds himself drawn into the life of faded silent film star Norma Desmond. Norma lives in her manor with her butler (and former husband and director) Max von Mayerling, living a sad life of watching her own movies and dreaming of her return to the cinema. Learning of Joe's profession, she convinces him to stay with her and help edit her script, Salome, which she plans to have directed by Cecil B. DeMille.

Joe's role soon goes from colleague to gigolo, but as he attempts to pull away from Norma's twisted world, he finds himself more and more drawn in.

External links

fr:Sunset Boulevard (film, 2008)