I am trying to reach Cesar in Spain. We were working on a translation project and my e-mail account crashed. I lost my address book. Cesar, if you get this message, I have a new e-mail address. You can reach me through this web-site.

S

Going back to the original question - I don't think we will ever see a movie version of Miss Saigon.

Consider:

- there's NEVER been a really good film version of MADAME BUTTERFLY, the musical's original source. (They tried it in Shirley MacLaine's MY GEISHA, but it was a film within another story.)

- MS's numbers and effects are really theatrical -- which would NOT work on film. Helicopter # was a jaw-dropper on stage but it's going to be realistic on film and will therefore be so-so.

If they can't come up with a LES MISERABLES film version, what more of MISS SAIGON?

Hey guys.

let me put this out there first. I LOVE love love love Lea, and all of her work, and of course her breathtaking Kim, she truly originated the role and will always be known as the ultimate. LOVE her.

But, seriously? Kim in 2009 (it would be more 2011 at the earliest if they ever decided to actually make a film) ?? She turns 39 in two days, do you honestly think anyone would ever cast a role for a SEVENTEEN year old (technically more like 16 since it seems she just turned 17 in the show, but either way) who is supposed to be: Young, innocent, naive, and... well young, with a 40 year old?? She's literally more than double the age she was when she played it and there is a reason she hasn't played the role in decades. No matter how amazing she is, you cannot return to play a role written for a mid-teenager 20 years down the line.

When Miss Saigon comes back to broadway (and rumor is it will be within the next few years) Lea will not be asked to play Kim, nor will she ever again. That would be like casting Haley Joel Osment to reprise his role in The Sixth sense.. 15 years from now.

She's going to go on and create new roles as an adult and play many others and be fabulous, you have to be realistic though.

haha, wow, I'm very dramatic today

Romeov, what you wrote is sooooooooooo obvious that only someone living in a cave in Afghanistan the last 5 years would find your post remarkable. I mean no one in his right mind is thinking of casting Lea Salonga in ANY production of Miss Saigon, stage OR film.

You're absolutely right, What was I thinking???? I apologize. It's plain to see from this very thread alone that no one would ever actually consider it in a million years:

PostPosted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 9:52 am Post subject: Miss Saigon Movie
Definitely Lea Salonga will be the best kim for the movie version if there will be a movie version...

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 12:30 am Post subject: Re: Miss Saigon Movie
i'm pretty sure they could all cast them in the TV movie version.


Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 7:43 pm Post subject: Reply with quote
Fantine wrote:

Agreed. Seems like it's the type of show that would be very nicely translated to the screen.

(And yes, Lea would HAVE to be in it.)

Wed Oct 03, 2007 3:50 am Post subject: Re: Miss Saigon Movie

if they turn it into a movie they have to make it VERY GOOD and it would be quite nice for the original Casts to play their roles in a movie.

Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 3:15 pm Post subject:
I would like Lea Salonga to play Kim again. She did a great job!

-----------------------

Wow! I can't believe it.. there are FIVE people in this thread alone living in caves in Afghanistan! I didn't even know they got internet over there! Insane.. well, just goes to show, you never do know. Thank you for your insightful, and helpful reply!

Nice putdown! And you're quite right, as excellent as she was, she's too old to be credible playing the part on film. They should go for an unknown - after all, it worked with her.

ONE helo? Remember - you have the ARVN's last stand, the NVA coming down Route 1...

Start involves loads of helicopter activity as ARVN troops are being ferried... etc... remember how many flights you heard in the early part of the show...

During Frequent Wind itself, I suppose what might be needed is some second, third and fourth unit work covering stuff like either crowds, or even other elements of the evacuation... there was a LOT of activity and about 14 evac points.

Yes - the key scene and business is cribbed from a Herbert va Es's footage shot from outside the Embassy as Lady Ace 05 loaded and lifted... but you're right. Lots of handheld camera work...

You have the option of match-cuts during "I Still Believe"... I seem to remember that this song was sung late at night... match on the woman wing the same side of the bed as you crossfade...

possibly with a partial dissolve a la Fiddler and Sabbath Prayer where you see Tevye superimposed on the rooftops-shot of Anatevka during the final "Amen.." at the final ".. until we die..." lyric.

Going between the company's "No life, no home..." stuff and the Bui-DOi scene would be interesting.. probably best to fade to black, then you'd have to establish again at - I believe it was a convention centre?

But - if a film IS going to be made, GET DALE DYE ON STAFF FOR TECH ADVICE.

Go to the source material...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madam_Butterfly

Cio-Cio-San commits jigai in order that her-and-Lt Pinkerton's son has a better life with him and his US wife (Kate). This is all organised through (rank unclear) Sharpless - Consulate officer and Goro (fixer).

Cio-Cio-San = Kim
Goro = Engineer
Lt Pinkerton = USMC Sgt Chris Scott
Sharpless = Staff Sgt John (surname never known)
Kate (Pinkerton's Stateside wife) = Ellen.

Except that Kim does it with a .45 ACP round from Chris's Colt 1911A1.

I have an idea for a possible Kim, if the movie does happen and soon. Provided she can sing, I know she is a good dancer, I think Michelle Ang would be a great Kim. She is a Malayian born/New Zeland actress. I have seen some of her work on "The Tribe" when it aired in the U.S., and I thought she was good in that. Michelle still is probably young enough or has a young enough look(she is still in her twenties), to pull off Kim.

17 year old singing sensation Charice is perfect for the role of Kim. Beautiful powerful voice, strong character and i think could turn out to be quite a good actress too , all wraped up in a tiny fragile asian body.

Charice Pempengco would make a horrible Kim!!! She would be over-emotive and blehhhh. Her singing does not contain a single ounce of sincerity.


I think Nhi Do, the actress who played the Vietnamese Girl in Watchmen, would make a really good Kim. Her role was small, but in the amount of screen time that she had, she really stood out.


Here's a picture of her:

http://www.ugo.com/comics/watchmen-movi ... e-girl.jpg

i don't think charice would fit that role if there ever will be a miss saigon the movie