Hey, the good news is that musicals are back. The bad news is that they’re remaking Jesus Christ Superstar. Now, to be honest I don’t think I’ve ever seen the whole original movie. My father said it was “just a bunch of hippies” so it wasn’t ever turned on in our house. But since then I’ve seen parts of it and I conclude it’s “just a bunch of hippies.”
But hippies are out and I’m not even sure what’s in at this point. But they’re remaking it.
BuzzSugar reports:
After Mamma Mia!’s global earnings of $600 million last year, Universal may be looking toward Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber for its next movie musical success. The studio is apparently developing an adaptation of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar with an interesting directorial choice: 500 Days of Summer director Marc Webb. Here’s more:
The story . . . is generally is seen as decidedly a product of the ’70s, with some characters played as hippies. And Webb, well, he’s a product of the modern era, fashioning a career out of stylish but emotionally potent music videos for the likes of Green Day (and then, of course, the musical melancholy of Summer).
But Webb has long had an affinity for the project, a rock opera that (perhaps a little like parts of Summer) mixes spiritual uplift with the pop-music type. And just as [director Norman] Jewison’s involvement brought a ’70s sensibility to the original, Webb could bring a modern, hipstery take.
Hipsters? What does that even mean?
But Jesus Christ Superstar has a number of problems in that it leaves open the question of Christ’s divinity and pushes Judas ahead as probably more sympathetic than Jesus. Tim Rice, the writer, said, “It happens that we don’t see Christ as God but simply the right man at the right time at the right place.”
No wonder Hollywood loves it so much. I, for one, doubt I’ll see it. But maybe I’m wrong. Anyone who’s actually seen the whole thing maybe could tell me more.
August 24, 2009 at 8:45 pm
What I don't think people understand is that the original 1973 version was nominated for major awards including an oscar and several gloden globes. Ted Neely (Jesus), Carl Anderson (Judas) and Yvonne Elliman (Mary)were all nominated for Golden Globes. Lloyd Weber was nominated for an Oscar for the score. It wasn't just a bunch of hippies. It was a bunch of very accomplished musicians and performers.
The score is not only entertaining and complex, but the play gives you a rare glimpse into what Jesus may have been going through psychologically during what we Catholics call Holy Week. He was above all the Son of MAN and viewing him in light is not sacrilege and doesn't make him any less divine in the movie.
I guess the stigma against hippies steer people away from the original movie. Think outside the box people. What are people going to think about us in the future? As for a remake, I agree there doesn't need to be one because the original stands on its own.
P.S. to the author:
Watch the movies you want to trash and read up on them. Saying you haven't even seen the movie all the way through doesn't make you an expert on the topic.
February 6, 2010 at 7:20 am
Anyone watch PBS or the History channel around Christmas? The whole bible is being brought to light as just another collection of political takes on people and events that happened hundreds of years before it was even written. While I believe there definitely was a JC and believe in what he was preaching (basic rights that everyone deserves) the rest is like all the bad news "reporting" that goes on today. LOVED the music, and then the movie, and always will for just what it was, nothing more and nothing less.