Director Clint Eastwood has begun the casting process for his previously reported film adaptation of Jersey Boys, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons’ rise from obscure local band to rock ‘n’ roll sensation. According to Variety, Eastwood and producer Graham King are hoping to sign up Tony winner John Lloyd Young as well as Erich Bergen, Michael Lomenda and Boardwalk Empire actor Vincent Piazza for the film.
The four actors have yet to be officially offered roles, but Warner Brothers is reportedly in discussions with Eastwood and King over the potential casting. Young would play Frankie Valli on screen, the role that nabbed him the 2006 Best Actor in a Musical Tony Award, Bergen previously played the role of Bob Gaudio in the Las Vegas production of Jersey Boys and Lomenda would play Nick Massi, a role he previously played on the national tour of the show. Piazza would play Tommy DeVito, the role that won original star Christian Hoff a Featured Actor in a Musical Tony Award.
Jersey Boys tells the story of how Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi became one of the top-singing groups of the 1960s before they even turned 30. Like the show, the film will incorporate hits such as “Sherry,” “Oh What a Night,” Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.”
Jersey Boys currently plays at Broadway's August Wilson Theatre and stars Young, Andy Karl, Drew Gehling and Matt Bogart. The musical opened on November 6, 2005, and won four 2006 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Dominic Scaglione Jr. and Joseph Leo Bwarie will assume the role of Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys beginning July 30. Young will play his final performance on July 28.