Who would have thought that Clint Eastwood would ever return to the realm of musicals after “Paint Your Wagon”? The legendary squinty-eyed actor turned director has been setting his sights on bringing the Broadway hit “Jersey Boys” to the big screen for some time. Now it looks as if Eastwood has finally filled one of the roles.
Deadline is reporting that Eastwood has tapped Christopher Walken to star in the upcoming adaptation. Walken would play Angelo “Gyp” DeCarlo, a mobster who attempts to guide the Jersey Boys early on in their career. The film itself is based around the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons and follows their lives as they go from average teens to American pop music legends.
But what of the titular Jersey Boys? Who would play them? Eastwood has stated in the past that he wanted Broadway stars that have appeared in the production to reprise their roles in his adaptation. It would appear that he’s getting his wish, as the director is looking to John Lloyd Young, Erich Bergen, Michael Lomenda, and Vincent Piazza to head up the cast. According to Variety, Young would play Frank Valli, Bergen would take on Bob Gaudio, Tommy Devito would be played by Piazza, and Lomenda would portray Nick Massi. Of the actors listed, only Piazza has not been appeared in a “Jersey Boys” production, though he has appeared in other plays and on “Boardwalk Empire.”
