Disney is currently courting Tom Cruise to star in their new live-action original film Bob the Musical, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Cruise will play Bob, just a “regular” guy who, after a severe blow to the head, can suddenly hear the inner songs of people’s hearts, turning his life into a reluctant musical.
The project is currently being written by novelist Michael Chabon (The Adventures of Kavalier & Clay) who also has a few screenplays under his belt such as Spider-Man 2 and Disney’s John Carter. Chabon is the latest in a series of screenwriters since 2004 to tackle the hefty project. Mike Bender (Not Another Teen Movie), John August (Frankenweenie), as well as Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel (City Slickers) all had their hands in the creative process at some point. The fact that Disney is moving forward with its main casting bodes well for Chabon’s script.
The Artist‘s Michel Hazanavicius is on board to direct and Oscar-winning songwriter Bret McKenzie (The Muppet Movie) will be writing original songs.
Cruise’s musical repertoire is somewhat limited compared to his action mvoie output. However, his under-the-radar melodious turn in 2012’s Rock of Ages shows he some has some measure of singing ability, and characters like Les Grossman from Tropic Thunder prove that he can sell an over-the-top premise.
If Cruise officially signs on to Bob the Musical, the film’s production will have to wait a bit longer as Cruise’s schedule has both Jack Reacher 2 and Mission Impossible 6 on the horizon.
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