Bob The Musical, the long-gestating musical that Disney is developing that is not based on an animated classic, is still in the works. The project, which has had Tom Cruise interested since April, has received a bolt of energy this week.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Pulitzer Prize winning novelist Michael Chabon is in talks to write a new draft.
Chabon is best known for the novels The Adventures of Kavalier & Clay and The Yiddish Policeman’s Union, but has worked on several Disney scripts, including John Carter, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Magic Kingdom. He’s also recently picked up writing lyrics, contributing to Mark Ronson’s Uptown Special album.
In addition to Chabon, Variety and THR reports that Flight of the Conchords’ Bret McKenzie is joining to write new songs. He recently won an Oscar for writing “Man Or Muppet” from Disney’s The Muppets.
Bob The Musical has been in the works for over a decade. The script centers on a man who takes a blow to the head, which suddenly turns the world into a musical for him even though he hates musicals. Mike Benter, John August and Lowell Ganz & Babaloo Mandel are among the writers who have worked on the script in the past.
THR claims that Cruise is still interested in taking the starring role. He was first linked to the project in April.
Michel Hazanavicius, who won an Oscar for directing The Artist, is currently signed on to direct.
You can catch Cruise in Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation this weekend.
image courtesy of Stills Press/INFphoto.com