Ever since "Cowboys & Aliens" kinda tanked hard last summer, there haven't been many directorial projects linked to Jon Favreau. Aside from the brewing "Magic Kingdom" (which itself seems to have stalled out), Favreau kept busy directing the pilot for the J.J. Abrams produced series "Revolution" and taking on a few acting gigs in "Iron Man 3," "Identity Thief" and the forthcoming "People Like Us." But it looks like another supersize project could be his if it all works out.
Variety reports that Favreau is the top contender to helm GK Films' adaptation of the hit musical "Jersey Boys." The production company has been developing this one for the past while, and back in January, bagged John Logan ("Hugo," "Skyfall") to write the script. The musical tells the tale of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, documenting the rise and fall of the successful rock 'n' roll group of the 1960s, one of the best-selling bands of all time, through their music, including tracks like "Beggin," "December 1963 (Oh What A Night)," "Big Girls Don't Cry" and "Can't Take My Eyes Off You." The musical has been running on Broadway since 2005 and with productions being mounted around the world. It was also pretty awesomely referenced/featured in "The Other Guys" with Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg.
This would mark new territory for Favreau, but still provide the big screen spectacle he tends to enjoy these does as opposed to the smaller, indie driven films that he started his career with. And musicals tend to be something of a Moby Dick for directors, given the technical accomplishment it requires — and this will undoubtedly be a big endeavor.
No word yet on when it might lens, but if Favreau signs on we presume the wheels will start turning quickly.