Musicals have been making something of a comeback of late. United Artists has been making something of a comeback of a late, now that it’s Tom Cruise’s company. United Artists became famous partly for its musicals, including West Side Story. So, it should come as no surprise to find that the new UA has put plans in place to produce its first musical in yonks.
The musical in question will be called Move, a dance-based flick which will be written and directed by Matthew Diamond, who previously helmed Camp Rock, a TV movical which was a huge hit when it premiered on The Disney Channel last month. (In fact, it garnered a larger audience than the very first showing of High School Musical – egads!)
Little is known at present about Move, but it’s interesting that – at a time when movie musicals are generally adapted from Broadway shows (think Dreamgirls, Rent, The Producers, Chicago and Hairspray!) – it will be an original movie, to be produced by Gary Pearl and Phillip Pierce.
"'Move' fits perfectly with the legacy of United Artists, which has made some of the most iconic dance films in Hollywood," UA President Of Production, Don Granger, told Variety. "Working with Matthew, who spends every day working with the hottest, most cutting-edge dancers and choreographers, is sure to bring an extraordinary and fresh twist to the dance film genre."
By the way, Diamond does actually spend every day working with the hottest, most cutting-edge dancers and choreographers – he’s a director on So You Think You Can Dance, one of the biggest TV shows in the States.
So, if you fancy some toe-tapping and high-kicking, looks like Move might be one to keep an eye on. No word on casting yet, of course, but we have a feeling that Mr. Cruise, company man though he is, might not be donning his tap shoes for this one.