Many argue that the film “Boyhood” is the high-water mark in the career of filmmaker Richard Linklater. Sure, “Dazed and Confused” might be iconic, but if you use critical acclaim and awards recognition as your criteria, “Boyhood” stands above any other film from the director. And for many, the fact that Linklater shot the film over the course of 12 years added to the effectiveness of the story. So, how does the director top his 12-year production of “Boyhood” and somehow create a film that is superior? Obviously, he spends the next 20 years filming an adaptation of Stephen Sondheim‘s musical “Merrily We Roll Along.”
And no, we’re not kidding.
According to Collider, Blumhouse Productions and Linklater have teamed up for an adaptation of the aforementioned musical, with stars Ben Platt and Beanie Feldstein attached to star. And as alluded to, keeping true to the storyline of the musical, as well as the 1934 play of the same name by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, the new film will have its production scheduled at various points over the next 20 years. That’s not a typo. 2-0. Twenty.
For those unfamiliar with the musical and the play, “Merrily We Roll Along” follows the story of a Broadway composer that packs up and moves to Los Angeles to begin his career making films. The plot picks up where we find the man at the height of his Hollywood career, with flashbacks to multiple points in his life that show how he his life took shape. Platt, of course, will portray the man, while Feldstein will play his best friend.
Platt is coming off the huge success of his Broadway show “Dear Evan Hansen.” However, many will probably know him best from his role in the “Pitch Perfect” franchise. He’s set to star in a show that he co-created called “The Politician,” which will arrive later this year on Netflix.
Feldstein is the star of one of 2019’s best films, “Booksmart.” However, before that breakout performance, the young actress was seen in films like “Lady Bird” and “Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising.”
No word on a release date yet for Linklater’s latest project. However, let’s just pencil it in for some time in 2040. That’s a safe assumption.