If the film development process were a televised singing competition, this is the moment the judges, after a long pause and a sip from their Warner Bros. branded cups, would say, “I’m sorry, but this is the end of your journey with us.” Because Warners has just decided not to move forward with the film adaptation of stage musical Jersey Boys.
Jon Favreau had been developing the project – which boasts a script adaptation by John Logan – for the studio. It follows the rise of the Four Seasons, featuring some of their biggest hits. According to Variety, Warners decided it was too much of a gamble, since the subject matter apparently has limited international appeal.
Graham King’s GK Films brought the film over from Sony, where the powerhouse producer had been shepherding it for years. Now King and his partners have been meeting with the likes of Fox and Paramount to pick it up, so there is still hope.
With a rough plan outlined to begin shooting in January and a release date pencilled in for next Christmas, Favreau had been considering candidates for the lead roles, including Dominic Cooper, Paul Dano and James Badge Dale. Now it’ll all have to sit in limbo and wait to see if another company decides to get into the jukebox musical business.