'Book of Mormon' Co-Director In Talks to Helm 'Austin Powers' Musical (Exclusive)

4:51 PM PST 12/12/2011 by Borys Kit

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New Line Cinema/Courtesy of Everett Collection

Mike Myers will write the story for the stage production, which will act as a prequel to the movies.

Casey Nicholaw, who co-directed The Book of Mormon as well as the stage version of Elf, is in talks to direct the Austin Powers musical being developed by Mike Myers and Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures.

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Colin Callender, the former HBO Films president whose run included the acclaimed Band of Brothers and Angels in America, and partner Sonia Friedman are producing the musical, which will be set to the music of Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello.

Myers will write the story, which will act as a prequel to the movies, though the New York Post reported that he will not star in the production. Sources tell THR that the musical will be set in 1960s London and detail how Powers first acquired his mighty mojo.

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The three Powers movies, released by New Line, spoofed the 1960s spy genre popularized by the James Bond series and featured a swinging spy transported to modern times. The movies had a “fake movie” self-awareness to them, sometimes playing up the fact that parts were taking place on soundstages.

The movies also featured musical numbers and montages, and Myers is said to consider the movies to be musicals. He also is a fan of Bacharach’s music (The Look of Love is Myers’ father favorite song). Incidentally, it was first heard in the 1967 Bond satire Casino Royale and was nominated for the best song Oscar.

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Myers also is developing a fourth installment of the Powers movies but that project hasn’t yet reached the writing stage.

Nicholaw has proven himself adept at wielding a comedic and musical touch. He shared a Tony with Trey Parker for directing Book of Mormon, which swept the Tonys earlier this year. He also did the choreography for the musical.

Nicholaw also pulled double duty for the Elf production and choreographed Spamalot.

Email: Borys.Kit@thr.com

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