Big screen adaptation of Green Day classic to star Billie Joe Armstrong
Tue, 14 Jun 2011
First came the album back in 2003, a concept record which told the story of anti-hero, Jesus of Suburbia leaving his small suburban town for the bright lights of the city. The album had universal success picking up accolades in 2010 by being named in a number of 'Albums of the Decade' polls, claiming #1 in the Rolling Stone readers choice poll.
Then came the stage show musical, an expanded adaptation of the hit album which, after a run at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre moved to Broadway for run for 422 performances with lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong occasionally playing the lead role.
Now, The Hollywood Reporter has reported that Tom Hank's production company, Playtone is developing a big screen adaptation of the American Idol album/stage show. The movie will be directed by Michael Mayer and will star Billie Joe Armstrong once again as St. Jimmy.
Tom Hanks partner in Playtone, Gary Goetzman is hoping that the film will be as popular as their first stage adaptation: Mamma Mia!
He said: "Mamma Mia! proved that if the musical is right, obviously it can go into the stratosphere, as far as box office gross. We’re always looking for musicals."
The film version of American Idiot is slated for a 2013 release.
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