For years, the words “Bruce Willis” and “misery” have largely referred to his feelings about hitting the contractual press tour for his latest film. But he’s set to change that definition by making his first foray into Broadway theatre performance with a new stage version of Stephen King’s **Misery.
Willis will take over the role of Paul Sheldon, played in the film by James Caan. In case you haven’t seen Rob Reiner’s Oscar-winning take on the story, Sheldon is a novelist whose car crashes on a snowy road. Rescued by Annie Wilkes, a nurse who claims to be his “number one fan”, Paul comes to realise that he’s actually trapped with a lunatic who demands that he brings her favourite character from his books – Misery Chastain – back to life. When Sheldon refuses, Annie goes to increasingly violent lengths to convince him.
William Goldman, who wrote the script for the film, has also penned this version of the play, which will mark just the latest attempt to turn the story into a stage production following shows off Broadway, in London, Greece and Athens. Theatre stalwart Elizabeth Marvel is playing Wilkes in the show, which Will Frears is directing for Warner Bros.’ theatrical arm. The aim is to have the show up and running in the autumn, though no venue has been set yet.