Josh Gad and Cynthia Erivo are joining forces to give the classic American folk tale of “Rip Van Winkle” a makeover in the form of a movie musical film. Warner Bros has given the official greenlight to the untitled project, with the new spin being the brainchild of Gad - who’s set to produce - while Erivo has been cast as the star.
“Rip Van Winkle” was a short story penned by Washington Irving in which the title character falls asleep in the mountains only to awaken years later to discover he missed the American Revolution and his life has been altered. Rip Van Winkle stirs from slumber again with Gad claiming he has a new take on the tale. No stranger to the musical world, Gad is a Tony Award nominee for his performance on Broadway in The Book of Mormon and voiced Olaf in the smash hit Frozen and its upcoming sequel Frozen 2. Gad may also take part in the upcoming Disney live-action version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame as Quasimodo. Also aboard the project is Broadway sensation Erivo, best known for her Tony Award-winning role in The Color Purple.
According to THR, the Rip Van Winkle-based film is in the hands of some of the most musically seasoned names in the business. With Gad’s idea and Erivo set to star, the film’s screenplay will be penned by Amanda Idoko, who wrote the script for Plastic Man based on the classic DC comics. Also attached are songwriting team Kate Anderson and Elissa Samsel, who worked with Gad in the Frozen-based animated short film: Olaf’s Frozen Adventure. Further details, including a release date and Gad’s unique idea, are still under wraps.
While Gad and Erivo both began their careers on a stage, they’ve segued into the film industry with ease, and have displayed potential for career longevity on the screen. Last year, Erivo appeared in Steve McQueen’s crime drama Widows with Viola Davis and stars in the upcoming biopic of Harriet Tubman as the title character in Harriet. Along with an impressive roster of voice-over work, Gad also became known for his roles in Disney live-action film Beauty and the Beast and Murder on the Orient Express.
The story of Rip Van Winkle is a cautionary tale with an emphasis on lost time and has been opened for interpretation across the ages. With Erivo set to star, it’ll be interesting to see if Gad’s new take is that Rip Van Winkle is a woman or if the story is from the viewpoint of Rip Van Winkle’s wife, who was always thought to be antagonistic. Or Gad could have something else in mind entirely. Over the past decade, musicals have been rejuvenated in Hollywood, and movie musicals always work best if the cast has strong theater roots. With Gad and Erivo owning the musical chops and a new take on a classic tale, no doubt the story of Rip Van Winkle will awaken as never before.
Source: THR
