Casting Call: Bob Fosse
In which we suggest who should star in the next big adaptation, remake, or historical film.
25 years ago, in September of 1987, Bob Fosse died of a heart attack. The legendary choreographer, dancer, screenwriter, and director was just 60 years old. His influence, however, is just as prevalent as it was in the ‘80s—just drop into a performance of Chicago on Broadway or watch Beyonce’s video for “Single Ladies.”
A performer since childhood, Fosse was first discovered when he was dancing professionally with his first wife, Mary-Ann Niles. He appeared in a few movies in the ‘50s, but never found great success as an actor—some say he was disillusioned with Hollywood, others that he was prematurely balding, a definite “dealbreaker” for male stars of the ‘50s. Fosse soon moved on to Broadway and went on to win eight Tonys; some of his more famous productions include Sweet Charity, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Pippin, and the aforementioned Chicago. He also direct films such as All That Jazz and Cabaret, for which he beat out Francis Ford Coppola and The Godfather for the Best Director Oscar.
With three marriages, an affair with his much younger protégé Ann Reinking, and various addictions, Fosse is perfect film material, and we’re rather excited about the prospect of an HBO biopic written by Matthew Wilder and directed by Bryan Singer. Click through the slideshow above to see who we think should play Fosse and his jazz hands.
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