Sony Pictures has obtained the rights to the movie version of the Broadway show Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and with Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman and Paul Blake to produce. Blake was the original producer of the theatrical version.
Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil first broke the news on Twitter last Thursday, saying “Exciting news. Film version of #Beautiful will be made at Sony, produced by @TomHanks, Gary Goetzman & Paul Blake. As DGD used 2 say WOWA!” That message has been removed as, through their own admission, they “jumped the gun” on the announcement.
No decisions have been made yet on casting. Jessie Mueller won the Tony award for portraying King and continues in the role; however, Broadway stars rarely make the transition to the big screen versions of shows. Nevertheless, Mueller is strikingly similar in looks to the young King and is excellent at performing the songs.
Michael DeLuca of Sony said “Audiences both on Broadway and in the West End have responded to ‘Beautiful’ not only to relive Carole King’s timeless classics, but to experience the ways they illustrate her triumphant and joyful life story.”
The film will be adapted by the original Broadway writer, Douglas McGrath. Entertainment Weekly also reports that Sherry Kondor and Christine Russell will also be part of the production team.
Beautiful is in its second year on Broadway and opened on London’s West End in February.
