Variety is reporting that Jon Favreau is the frontrunner to direct the big screen adaptation of GK Films’ Jersey Boys, based on the hit broadway show. Coming off Cowboys & Aliens, which tanked hard, Favreau has been keeping pretty quiet on the directing front.
Presumably, he’s still at work on Magic Kingdom but aside from that, he’s cooled down a bit. That may change though if he earns the job of bringing Jersey Boys to the big screen.
John Logan (Hugo, Skyfall) wrote the Jersey Boys script, which tells the tale of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, “documenting the rise and fall of the successful rock ‘n’ roll group of the 1960s, one of the best-selling bands of all time, through their music, including tracks like “Beggin,” “December 1963 (Oh What A Night),” “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.”
As for Favreau, the Queens-born director could definitely bring a strong sense of authenticity to the film and he’s dealt with music in some of his pervious directorial efforts, so this could work out. While I didn’t expect him to ever be the man bringing such a beloved play like Jersey Boys to the big screen, I think its actually a rather inspired and very interesting choice.
For those unfamiliar with the play, check out the summary blurb below.
Jersey Boys is one of the most successful shows still running on Broadway. It opened in 2005 and has sold over $1 billion in tickets not only in New York, but all over the world. The show’s success is partially because of its relatable, inspiring story of working hard and fulfilling your dreams but more so because it’s the rare musical where almost everyone who sees it knows all the songs before stepping in to the theater.
What do you think of Favreau directing Jersey Boys?