Calling all fans of musical theatre: put down those fabulous boas and pay attention, because it looks like Miss Saigon could be coming to the big screen. Yes, complete with lifesize helicopter and full chorus of dancing Communists. Paula Wagner, formerly Tom Cruise's producing partner and CEO of United Artists, is producing with original show producer Cameron Mackintosh. Lee Daniels, director of Precious*, may direct
The musical, a reworking of the opera Madame Butterfly set during the Vietnam War, sees a young G.I. called Chris fall in love with bargirl Kim in 1975 Saigon. The two are in love, but Chris is about to head home to the US and with the evacuation of the US embassy in Saigon they are ripped apart. When Chris returns to find Kim years later, he discovers she has had a son. Based as it is on an opera, you'd be right to guess that the course of true love doesn't run smooth.
The producers are hoping to shoot the film next year for release in 2011, but there's no screenplay or confirmed director yet. Still, let's hope they manage it before the Last Night Of The World, eh?
*Or to give it its full title, Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire.