Weekend News: Boyle Drops ‘Slumdog’ Musical; Disney ‘Starcatcher’ Film

Director Danny Boyle has reportedly backed out of negotiations to adapt “Slumdog Millionaire” into a stage musical, which was originally slated to debut in London’s West End in 2013. According to the UK’s The Independent, Boyle’s battles to keep the film’s original creative team have amounted to an unresolvable dispute. Producer Paul Smith is now said to be in talks with “Downton Abbey” creator Julian Fellowes and “Ghost The Musical” director Matthew Warchus. The show will likely not premiere until 2014. [Broadway World]

In other movie musical news, “The Phantom of the Opera — The Complete Story,” film versions of “Phantom of the Opera” and its 2012 sequel “Love Never Dies,” will be screened in US theaters on Monday and Wednesday night, respectively. So there’s that. [Playbill]

Disney is at work on a film adaptation of children’s best-seller “Peter and the Starcatchers.” The screen version is not affiliated with the stage adaptation “Peter and the Starcatcher,” which recently earned nine Tony nominations. [Deadline, Playbill]

Roundabout Theatre’s revival of “Harvey,” starring “The Big Bang Theory” Emmy Award-winner Jim Parsons, began previews on Friday. Parsons made his Broadway debut in last season’s revival of “The Normal Heart,” and will reprise his role for the film version. Other notable “Harvey” cast members include Broadway veteran Charles Kimbrough, also known for his role on “Murphy Brown,” the legendary Carol Kane, and “Mad Men’s” Rich Sommer, who makes his Broadway debut. [Playbill]

The latest Broadway incarnation of “How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying” closed Sunday, after 30 previews and 474 regular performances. The closing cast featured Nick Jonas as J. Pierrepont Finch, Beau Bridges as J.B. Biggley, Tammy Blanchard as Hedy LaRue, and Michael Urie as Bud Frump. [Playbill]

If you missed Friday’s Back Stage piece on other upcoming closings/openings, including the closing of “Priscilla Queen of the Desert” and opening of “Bring It On,” check it out here.