Rent

Production Company: 1492 Pictures / Revolutions Studios / Tribeca Pictures

Studio: Sony Pictures / Columbia TriStar

Cast: Rosario Dawson as Mimi Marquez, Taye Diggs as Benjamin "Benny" Coffin III, Wilson Jermaine Heredia as Angel Schunard, Jesse L. Martin as Thomas B. "Tom" Collins, Idina Menzel as Maureen Johnson, Adam Pascal as Roger Davis, Anthony Rapp as Mark Cohen, Tracie Thoms as Joanne Jefferson, Sarah Silverman as Alexi Darling, Mackenzie Firgens as April, Heather Barberie as Pam, Jordi Caballero as Tango, Darryl Chan as Thug, Ken Clark as Mugger, Matthew Dickens as Bohemian, Cory DuVal as Riot Cop Commander, Richard Goldman as Activist, Shani Haller as Bartender, Gordon Hart as Singing Tenant, Scot James as Clubgoer, Kevin Jaskela as Bar Punk, Jessica Leigh Johnson as Subway Punk, Aaron Lohr as Steve, Daniel London as Paul, Corey Rosen as Life Cafe Manager, Allen Theosky Rowe as Punk Rocker, Bianca Sams as Ali, Jennifer Siebel as Alison Grey, Stewart Summers as Businessman, James D. Weston II as Homeless Man/Pimp and Wayne Wilcox as Gordon

Crew: Chris Columbus (director and co-screenwriter); Jonathan Larson (stage play); Steve Chbosky (co-screenwriter); Michael Barnathan, Chris Columbus, Robert De Niro, Mark Radcliffe and Jane Rosenthal (producers); Geoffrey Hansen, Paula DuPré Pesman and Paula Dupre-Pesmen (associate producers); Julie Ann Larson and Julie McCollum (co-producers); Allan S. Gordon, Kevin McCollum, Lata Ryan and Jeffrey Seller (executive producers)

Synopsis:
Based on Puccini’s classic opera La Boheme, Jonathan Larson’s revolutionary rock opera Rent tells the story of a group of bohemians struggling to live and pay their rent in the gritty background of New York’s East Village. "Measuring their lives in love," these starving artists strive for success and acceptance while enduring the obstacles of poverty, illness and the AIDS epidemic.

One of the longest running shows on Broadway, Rent was the winner of the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the Obie Award, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, four Tony Awards and three Drama Desk awards.

Other Info:

Film Fetish trivia:
Director Chris Columbus considered casting American Idol contestant and Rent Broadway replacement cast member Frenchie Davis as Joanne Jefferson, but decided upon Tracie Thoms for the role.

Spike Lee was attached to direct for some time.

NEWS
June 16, 2005 – The downtown area of Santa Fe, New Mexico was the setting of a scene for Rent.

Filming began in March in New York and San Francisco for the movie, which is being produced by actor Robert DeNiro, Jane Rosenthal and Chris Columbus.

Rent is adapted from the Puccini opera La Boheme, substituting AIDS for tuberculosis and Manhattan’s Lower East Side of the late 20th century for Montemartre in Paris in the 19th century .

Near the end of Rent, one of the characters, Roger Davis (Adam Pascal), escapes to Santa Fe.

March 15, 2005 – Based on the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award Winning Musical by Jonathan Larson, the film will be shot in New York and San Francisco with many members of the original Broadway cast.

Filming has begun in New York and San Francisco on Revolution Studios’ Rent, an adaptation of the acclaimed Broadway musical of the same name, it was announced today. Directed by Chris Columbus from a screenplay by Columbus and Stephen Chbosky, the film will be released by Columbia Pictures on November 11th, 2005.

Rent is being produced for Revolution Studios by Robert DeNiro and Jane Rosenthal and 1492 Pictures’ Columbus, Mark Radcliffe and Michael Barnathan. Jeffrey Seller, Kevin McCollum, Allan S. Gordon and Lata Ryan are serving as executives producers. Julie Larson, sister of the late Jonathan Larson, serves as co-producer.

Based on Puccini’s classic opera La Boheme, Jonathan Larson’srevolutionary rock opera Rent tells the story of a group of bohemians struggling to live and pay their rent in the gritty background of New York’s East Village. Measuring their lives in love, these starving artists strive for success and acceptance while enduring the obstacles of poverty, illness and the AIDS epidemic.

One of the longest running shows on Broadway, Rent was the winner of the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the Obie Award, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, four Tony Awards and three Drama Desk awards.

“It is one of the most influential musicals of this generation, and we are tremendously excited to be able to bring the film adaptation to the screen,” said Revolution Studios founder Joe Roth. “Chris Columbus is the ideal filmmaker to deliver a faithful yet cutting-edge adaptation of Jonathan Larson’s compelling story to existing fans of the musical and to a brand new audience.”

“When we learned that Chris Columbus was going to be directing ‘Rent,‘ we were thrilled beyond belief”, said Julie Larson. “Everyone involved with the production has become part of our ever-expanding family, and we are all delighted that this movie will be the next chapter in the continuing legacy of Jonathan’s vision.”

The cast features many of the original Broadway performers who originated the roles in 1996, along with several other notable actors. Taye Diggs originated the role of Benjamin Benny Coffin III. Diggs currently stars in and produces the television series Kevin Hill. His film credits include Basic, Chicago, Brown Sugar and The Best Man.

Wilson Jermaine Heredia originated the role of Angel Schunard, for which he won a Tony Award. His film credits include Flawless and Went to Coney Island on a Mission from God…Be Back by Five.

Jesse L. Martin originated the role of Thomas B. ‘Tom’ Collins. His other credits include his portrayal of Detective Ed Green in Law & Order and a recurring role on Ally McBeal.

Idina Menzel originated the role of Maureen Johnson. In 2004, Menzel won a Tony Award for her role in Wicked. Her film credits include Ask the Dusk, The Tollbooth, Just a Kiss and Kissing Jessica Stein.

Adam Pascal originated the role of Roger Davis. His Broadway credits include Cabaret and Aida. He also starred in the feature films School of Rock and SLC Punk.

Anthony Rapp originated the role of Mark Cohen. His film credits include A Beautiful Mind, Road Trip, Twister, Six Degrees of Separation, Dazed and Confused and School Ties.

Rosario Dawson will portray Mimi Marquez. She will next appear in the film Sin City. Her credits include Alexander, Shattered Glass, 25th Hour and Men in Black II.

Tracie Thoms will play Joanne Jefferson. Her credits include the film Warrior Class and the televisions series Wonderfalls and As If.

Chris Columbus most recently directed Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. He also directed Mrs. Doubtfire, Home Alone and Stepmom.

Taglines: No day but today.

Official Websites

RentMovieBlog.com
Updated every Monday and Wednesday (during production). Features written and video entries from the cast of the film.

sonypictures.com/movies/rent

Trailers:

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Release Dates: NOVEMBER 11, 2005

Genre: MUSICAL / COMEDY / DRAMA / ROMANCE