Ryan Murphyis about to embark on his first feature film project under his new deal at Netflix, and in true Ryan Murphy fashion, this will be amajordebut. TheAmerican Horror StoryandGleecreator will direct and produce a feature film adaptation of the Broadway musicalThe Promfor Netflix, with the movie being eyed for an awards season release in 2020. And the cast he’s put together? Straight-up fire, as the kids say.
Indeed, Deadline reports thatMeryl Streep,Nicole Kidman,James Corden,Ariana Grande,Awkwafina,Keegan-Michael Key, andAndrew Rannellsare all set for key roles inThe Prom, which is due to begin filming in December. The story follows four formerly famous Broadway actors who travel to the fictional conservative town of Edgewater, Indiana when they learn that a lesbian student was not allowed to bring her girlfriend to the prom. While their trip is under the guise of championing inclusivity, they’re mostly just looking for good press to make them relevant once again.
The musical premiered on Broadway in October 2018 and with music byMatthew Sklar, lyrics byChad Beguelin, and a book by Beguelin andBob Martin. It was nominated for six Tony awards in total, including Best Musical, and Martin and Beguelin are writing the script for the film. Streep will play Dee Dee Allen, Kidman will play Angie Dickinson, Rannells is Trent Oliver, Grande will fill the role of Alyssa, Awkwafina is publicist Ms. Sheldon, and Key will play Principal Hawkins—Streep’s love interest. In addition to co-starring, Grande will produce the soundtrack along with Murphy. A nationwide search is underway to fill the lead role of Emma, the central high school figure.
This marks the first Murphy-directed film under the uber-producer’smegadeal with Netflix. After years with Fox/FX, Murphy jumped ship in the wake of the Disney-Fox acquisition and signed a massive deal with Netflix worth $300 million to create, write, produce, and direct new TV shows, films, and documentaries.
While Murphy frequently directs episodes of his TV shows likeAmerican Crime Story,American Horror Story, andPose, it’s been since 2014 that he was behind the camera on a feature film, and even then it was for the HBO movieThe Normal Heart. WithThe Prom, however, Deadline notes that Netflix is planning a major awards season push next fall, including a theatrical release, so the streamer is certainly high on the film’s prospects. And with that premise, source material, and cast, why wouldn’t you be?
Murphy is currently finishing up his first original Netflix seriesThe Politician, which starsDear Evan HansenleadBen Plattand was given a two-season straight-to-series order. Murphy also has theOne Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nestprequel seriesRatchedin the works at Netflix, starringSarah Paulson, and the just-announced Netflix seriesHollywood, as well as the upcoming new season ofAmerican Horror Storyon FX.
So while it appears that Murphy is keeping plenty busy on the TV side of things, he’ll be returning to features in a big way next year thanks to Netflix.
