Jon Favreau, the director behind hit films Iron Man and Elf, is to direct the movie adaptation of successful US and West End musical Jersey Boys.
The tale of Frankie Valli And The Four Seasons will become the latest musical to receive a big screen adaptation when it is released in 2013. It follows Oscar-winner Chicago, worldwide success Mamma Mia!, and this winter’s much anticipated release of Les Misérables.
No casting has yet been decided for the movie, as open casting sessions for the lead roles of Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi are being held on 18 and 25 August in the US.
Though he lacks screen experience, Jersey Boys’ West End leading man Ryan Molloy has been playing Frankie Valli since the show opened at the Prince Edward theatre in 2008 and has recently recorded an album of Valli’s greatest hits. Valli, who has seen Molloy perform, is also a fan and, along with Gaudio, is executive producer of the film.
Philip Bulcock, who created the role of Nick Massi in the London production, is no stranger to movies, having appeared in The Dark Knight, Dark Shadows and 28 Weeks Later.
Could either of them walk like a man all the way into a leading Hollywood role?
Fans of Valli’s music who can’t wait until 2013 to see the movie can still see the musical, which features hit songs including Sherry, Oh What A Night! and Beggin’, at the Prince Edward theatre, where it is currently booking into spring 2013.