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Anyone else excited (and scared) about this? Over the past few days, the following people have been confirmed as part of the cast:

Anthony Rapp as Mark
Adam Pascal as Roger
Idina Menzel as Maureen
Jesse L. Martin as Collins

There has been no solid news about Angel, Mimi, or Joanne yet. Jai Rodriguez (of Queer Eye) has said that he did audition for Angel (and I really hope he gets it). As far as Benny goes, Taye Diggs will most likely reprise his role, depending on his Kevin Hill schedule.

And, of course, Chris Columbus is directing/writing.

Anthony Rapp has been posting on another message board about the movie. Here are some interesting bits:

"I've only talked to Jesse and Adam at this point, but I can vouch for all of us that we feel very strongly that the script as it is right now is very very strong, and cinematizes the show very well. Believe me when I say we wouldn't be doing it if we didn't feel that way.

Also, Chris Columbus wanted to meet with us in person to make sure that to his eye we didn't look too old for the roles, so for whatever it's worth, he thinks we look age-appropriate. Of course, that's all in the eye of the beholder, but I thought you should know that it was a matter he was concerned about. And to be clear, there is no specific indication of how old Roger, Mark, Maureen, and Collins are anywhere in the text. We only get the sense that they've been out of school enough years to be doing what they're doing (or not doing, as the case may be).

Having worked with Chris a long time ago, I can vouch for the fact that he is a wonderfully open-minded, collaborative man with a big heart. Adventures in Babysitting was one of the best sets I've ever worked on, and after meeting him a couple of weeks ago about the Rent movie, I feel confident that he hasn't changed for the worse. He seems to really recognize the artistic opportunity that making this movie will be for him, as well. It will, after all, be his first R-rated film. There is no shying away from the drug use or strong language or homosexuality or the ravages of AIDS in the screenplay. This will not be a candy-coated telling of the story of the show.

We will all do our best to honor the work that Jonathan Larson set out to do all of those years ago, and we are deeply privileged to get the opportunity to do so on film."

"I think all of our voices have matured and improved, and Tim Weil is still the musical director (another proof that Chris wants to maintain a continuity to the show) so nothing will be bastardized."

"As for old songs being in the show, at this point, the only songs in the script are those that are in the current production. And some of those songs are cut or turned into dialogue. But again, I feel these changes are important in a cinematic context.

And I agree vehemently with this statement: 'I am VERY much of the thought that a bad film of Rent would be a distaster and it MUST be done properly...' Rest assured we will do our best to do it properly."

So far everything sounds great to me. I'll have to admit that I was initially pretty angry with the choice of director, but it sounds like he might actually do a good job.

Paolo

I guess Anthony Rapp has addressed most of my concerns for this movie. I just love this show so much (eventhough I haven't seen it) that I really want the movie to be really very good. Rent has influenced me a lot just by listening to the OBCR.

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I am quite obsessed with the show, so I will be pretty disappointed if the movie doesn't live up to the hype.

Here's more from Anthony about the music:

"As for what songs are in the film, at this point here's what's there (not in correct order, but in the order I'm remembering it):

Rent
One Song Glory
Today 4 U
Life Support (in part)
Out Tonight
Another Day
Will I...?
Seasons of Love
Santa Fe
Tango: Maureen
Over the Moon
La Vie Boheme
Goodbye Love
Without You
Take Me or Leave Me
I'll Cover You and the Reprise
What You Own
Your Eyes

All of the other songs -- You'll See Boys, You Okay Honey, etc -- are now performed in dialogue form, as is the Mark and Roger fight in Goodbye Love.

I think that's all of them, but there may be something I've forgotten. Oh, and What You Own is sung in context, not over the end credits."

I'll miss Light My Candle, but I do see how it wouldn't translate to screen very well. Most of my other favorites are included, though, so I'm not complaining.

Paolo

I'm getting goosebumps just reading the list. Yay! I'll Cover You made it.

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Ooh, Anthony Rapp posted again correcting the song list. He accidentally left off Light My Candle and I Should Tell You.

I think the songs I'll miss the most are Happy New Year and Christmas Bells. But I'm definitely happy they didn't cut Today 4 U, as it wasn't in Steve Chbosky's original screenplay.

Profaine Angel

I love Idina Great that they've cast her and aren't just going for a big movie name.

Elektra

I saw the stage version of "RENT" when it played (toured?) in Toronto, and I have the Broadway cast recording. My current 'movie-musical' obsession is the new "Phantom of the Opera" movie, but I'm looking forward to seeing "RENT" now too (as well as the new film versions of Hairspray, and The Producers, also coming out in the next year or so.).

I'm really happy to see the current/popular stage musicals coming to the big screen for us poor souls who no longer have access to them. ^_^

I'm glad Idina will be in it (maybe one day, she will star in a film version of "WICKED" too ^_^), as well as the other original cast members.

Paolo

I'm crossing my fingers for that to materialize. Just keep Idina and Kristin Chenowith! And maybe Norbert Leo Butz.

JudyC

I agree! I love Idina, Kristin and Norbert.

Idina is simply *amazing.* I am so happy that she is involved in the film adaptation of RENT. Hopefully Taye can join her. I was not able to see Idina, Taye and Adam in RENT but loved the show when I finally saw the touring company.

Since I don't live in Manhattan, I first became aware of Kristin's talents through the televised remake of The Music Man early last year. She's a rare gem. As for Norbert, man, do I love his voice! And I'm glad that he's getting great reviews for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. . I can't wait to read/hear more about the show when it opens in NYC next year.

Judy

konstantine

I've never seen it live, but I do own the soundtrack and I love it. I've heard rumors about them making it into a movie, but I didn't know it was still on. I think Justin Timberlake was supposed to be in it or something. I hope Kristin, Jai and Taye are in it.

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According to Anthony, Wilson Jermaine Heredia has been offered Angel and Tracie Thoms (from Wonderfalls) has been offered Joanne.

Meh. I kinda hope WJH won't accept the offer. I love him on the cast recording and all, but I've never been too crazy about his Angel from the clips I've seen.

konstantine: Yep, the movie is back on. For a while it seemed like it was never going to happen. There were rumors of a Spike Lee version with Justin Timberlake and Raul Esparza a while ago, but that fell through.

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More casting news...


Hmm.

alli balli

Rosario Dawson as Mimi?

Eh. I'm not a RENT purist or anything, I've only seen it once and I only have certain songs downloaded (as opposed to the full cast recording), but I don't see her in that role.

konstantine

I don't know if I can see her as Mimi, either. But I guess we'll see. Wasn't Melanie B from the Spice Girls playing Mimi somewhere, too?

Paolo

Hmm. Is right. Rosario Dawson?! Meh. I was hoping that all of the principal cast would've at least performed their character on stage.

As for the role of Angel, aww, poor Jai Rodriguez. WJH is fine for me, since I love him in the OBCR.