According to Variety, both Jim Carrey and Jake Gyllenhaal are set to star in a modern film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical Damn Yankees. Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, the New Line production team that produced the successful musical Hairspray, are set to produce this one.
The plot of the musical revolves around a tepid pro-baseball player named Joe Boyd, who sells his soul to the devil in turn for success on the field. Carrey is apparently set to play the devil to Gyllenhaal’s Boyd. It’s an interesting plan, and while Carrey as the devil seems expected and exciting, I am curious about how Gyllenhaal will play to Boyd character – slapstick possibly, or more serious? There are many different ways to go. Both actors are also experimenting with their first feature-film musical.
What do you think? Are you excited about this? Is this going to be a hit like Chicago or Hairspray?