Bruce Willis is taking a break from his action movie persona to take on a more serious project. He will finally make his Broadway debut in Misery, a stage adaptation of the Stephen King novel.
The casting was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter, which noted that his co-star will be House of Cards actress Elizabeth Marvel. The novel was adapted by Oscar-winner William Goldman (All The President’s Men, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid), who wrote the script for the 1990 film, which featured Kathy Bates.
Misery will be directed by Will Frears (Omnium Gatherum) and it is a Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures production.
According to Playbill, Warner Bros. did not announce when the limited engagement would begin or what theater it will be staged at.
Willis will star as novelist Paul Sheldon, who is saved by his biggest fan, Annie Wilkes, played by Marvel. He becomes Annie’s captive and forces him to write a new novel.
James Caan starred in the original film as Paul, while Bates starred as Annie and won an Oscar for her performance. The movie was directed by Rob Reiner.
Warner Bros. has been increasingly open to stage adaptation of its movies. The Sam Mendes-directed production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will also open on Broadway, following a successful run in London.
Willis was recently seen in Sin City: A Dame To Kill For and will next be seen in Barry Levinson’s Rock the Kasbah.
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