The idea to make a new version of 1955 musical movie Guys And Dolls has strutted around Hollywood for a while, with the likes of Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Channing Tatum circling the remake. Now, it looks like someone else is taking a stab, with TriStar Pictures nabbing the rights anew.
Producer John Goldwyn (whose grandfather Samuel shepherded the original) has kept the faith on this one, steering it through a Fox incarnation, which drew Tatum and Gordon-Levitt's interest and at one point had Michael Grandage – a veteran of staging the show for Broadway – directing. None of them are currently involved in this latest version, though that's not to say phone calls aren't being made.
The film’s plot, originally adapted from Damon Runyon’s short stories, finds roguish New York gambler Nathan Detroit (Frank Sinatra in the original) looking to set up a big craps game. Trying to drum up the necessary funds, he accepts a bet that pal Sky Masterson (Marlon Brando) can’t convince wholesome missionary manager Sarah Brown (Jean Simmons) to come with him to Havana. Frank Loesser penned the original music and lyrics for such classic tunes as Luck Be A Lady Tonight and Sit Down, You’re Rockin' The Boat with a book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. The stage version scored a Tony, while the film was nominated for four Oscars.
We'll see if this one can actually make it to screens.
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