Movie Stars and Musicals
The movie star system has been part and parcel to the entire industry since its inception. And it’s vital. Because a movie basically has one weekend to succeed. If it doesn’t the movie will likely not make money
Studios build up actors’ careers as recognizable brands that carry over from movie to movie. It’s always an enormous risk to hire a no-name actor for a big movie requiring a big payoff.
This poses problems for musicals. The perfect actor to sell the movie may not be a Broadway level singer. Sometimes you can fudge, and it works, as was demonstrated by Johnny Depp’s wonderful performance in “Sweeney Todd.” But Johnny Depp is sort of an exception to the rule. It doesn’t matter what the role, if you can get Depp you go with him.
But other actors have been less successful. “Chicago” and “Moulin Rouge” come to mind. Those starts were okay but they didn’t blow me away like many stage performers might have been able to do.
I’m reminded of Julie Andrews not getting cast for “My Fair Lady” because she wasn’t a big name. She then got cast for “Mary Poppins” and won an Oscar. My fear is that there may be some potential stars like Julie Andrews that will never get their chance in the current movie climate.
Broadway tickets sales suffers from this trend. Because the more successful musicals and Broadway performers are on screen, the more they’ll be able to draw people to the theater.
Tags: broadway tickets, Johnny Depp, Movie Musicals, Movie Stars