‘Bob The Musical’ Picks Up Songwriter Bret McKenzie And Screenwriter Michael Chabon
Bob the Musicalhas been in development for over ten years at this point, with everyone from theLego Moviedirectors to theFrozencomposers linked at various points. But the latest incarnation seems to be picking up steam, with a high-profile team on board.Tom Cruisehas been circling the Disney movie since April,Michel Hazanavicius(The Artist) is attached to direct. Now award-winning music composerBret McKenzie(The Muppets) and screenwriterMichael Chabon(John Carter) have joined the party as well. More on theBob the MusicalBret McKenzie and Michael Chabon news after the jump.THRreports McKenzie will compose tunes, and Chabon will work on the screenplay.Bob the Musicalfollows an ordinary guy who, following a head injury, gains the ability to hear the song in everyone’s hearts. The affliction turns his life into a neverending musical, much to his dismay. Cruise is flirting with the lead role.Tripp Vinson,Chris Bender,JC Spink, andBeau Flynnare producing.
McKenzie served as music supervisor on 2011’sThe Muppetsand won an Oscar for the song “Man or Muppet.” He’s also known as one-half of the musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords, withWhat We Do in the Shadowsco-director/star Jemaine Clement.
Chabon is a celebrated novelist who won a Pulitzer Prize in 2001 for his comic book-inspiredThe Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay. His movie credits includeSpider-Man 2,John Carter, and Jon Favreau’s upcomingMagic Kingdom, and his booksWonder BoysandThe Mysteries of Pittsburghwere turned into films.
Mike Bender (Not Another Teen Movie), John August (Frankenweenie), Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel (City Slickers), Matt Fogel , and Allan Loeb (Rock of Ages) have each taken a crack at the script over the past several years. Marc Shaiman (Hairspray) and Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez (Frozen) have worked on the music. Directors who’ve come and gone include Adam Shankman (Rock of Ages), Mark Waters (Mean Girls), and Phil Lord and Chris Miller.
