Sony is turning Broadway hit Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, a musical which follows the life and career of Carole King, into a movie. Tom Hanks has just signed off to produce the film along with the producer of the Broadway musical, Gary Goetzman, and Mamma Mia! film producer Paul Blake.
The musical, which has been on Broadway since 2014, follows Carole King's life and career. This jukebox musical features many popular songs that King wrote as well as performed. King is a singer-songwriter from Brooklyn, who began her career as a lyricist during the 1960s. She's known for her songs "The Locomotion," "You've Got A Friend," "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," "So Far Away" and "Will You Love Me Tomorrow."
The musical was originally a book written by Douglas McGrath. McGrath has also signed on to be the screenwriter of the Sony film, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Although Beautiful did not walk away with the Tony for Best Musical last year, the lead actress Jessie Mueller won a Tony for her portrayal of King. No casting decisions for the film have been announced yet. Mueller might make the jump from stage to screen as King or to be safe they might cast a well-known actress.
Musicals-turned-movies are always a risk at the box office. Mamma Mia! was destroyed by the critics and had two of Hollywood's leading actors, Meryl Streep and Colin Firth. But then again, Streep starred as the Witch in Into the Woods, which came out on Christmas, and it was box office gold.
Fan-favorite actresses who could be up for might be Anna Kendrick and Emily Blunt, who both had singing roles in Into the Woods, or potentially Emma Stone, who just had a stint in Cabaret on Broadway.
Who do you think should play King? Below is a clip from the 2014 Tony's where the Beautiful cast performed part of a song from the musical.