No GUYS AND DOLLS Remake for Guy Ritchie, But for Hugh Jackman? Maybe.

Back in May we wrote up a rumor begun by the UK’s tabloid of record, The Sun.  The rumor in question went something like this: Guy Ritchie was working on a remake of the classic musical “Guys and Dolls”.  The “story” also threw Ritchie’s pal Jason Statham into the mix, claiming that the “Transporter” star was very interested in collaborating on a musical with Guy.  Shockingly enough, The Sun story appears to be full of shit.  A rep for the estate that holds the rights to the stage musical recently told Variety that no “Guys and Dolls” remake involving Guy Ritchie is in the works – a version starring Hugh Jackman, however?  Maybe.  More after the jump…

Through the power of the internet, the rumor that Guy Ritchie (with or without Jason Statham) was working on revamping “Guys and Dolls” grew stronger.  At one point, Justin Timberlake was even supposed to be starring in the film.  This got the attention of Allen Arrow, an attorney for the estate of the man who wrote “Guys and Dolls” for the stage over fifty years ago.   Arrow came forward with this, somewhat cryptic, quote:

“I can’t tell you what is happening, but I can tell you what is not happening, and that is this Guy Ritchie version”

This led to a follow-up question about a competing “Guys and Dolls” remake rumor: Apparently, Fox has been working on a deal to acquire screen rights to the musical for a version that would put Hugh Jackman into the role of Sky Masterson – the part that Marlon Brando immortalized in the 1955 screen original.  According to Arrow, the estate is “not opposed” to this remake.  “If the terms are proper… that could happen,” he told Variety.

So let’s recap – Guy Ritchie directing a “Guy and Dolls” remake, not happening.  Jason Statham singing as Sky Masterson, also not happening.  Hugh Jackman in the same part?   “That could happen.”  Just another interesting movie rumor quashed by the boring and completely predictable truth.