‘The Vow’ director will steer fictional story set to band’s music

Variety
By JEFF SNEIDER

“The Vow” helmer Michael Sucsy is in negotiations to direct Fox 2000’s untitled musical scripted by Susannah Grant (“Erin Brockovich”) that will be set to the music of The Beach Boys.

Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, the team behind successful bigscreen musicals “Hairspray” and “Chicago,” will produce with John Stamos.

The original musical, which is based on a fictional story and characters created by Grant, will be driven by the music of The Beach Boys.

Script was circulated to a handful of helmers several weeks ago, and Sucsy responded to the material. He recently sat down with Grant to discuss the project, which he has committed to direct.

Studio acquired rights to use The Beach Boys’ music in a bidding war with Universal back in October 2010.

Meron and Zadan exec produced ABC’s 2000 telepic “The Beach Boys: An American Family” with Stamos, who played with and remains close to the legendary band.

Recent music-driven projects have a mixed track record at the box office, with Universal’s ABBA-driven “Mamma Mia!” grossing $610 million worldwide, and Sony’s Beatles-inspired “Across the Universe” earning only $29 million worldwide.

Sucsy’s feature helming debut “The Vow” has grossed over $100 million domestically for Screen Gems. He’s currently developing “Rosaline” at Fox 2000, and previously directed HBO’s award-winning telepic “Grey Gardens,” which garnered him an Emmy win as well as nominations for co-writing and directing.

Sucsy is repped by CAA and Anonymous Content.