Thank goodness! We can all stop holding our breaths now that it looks like another extension of the Fight Club franchise seems to be in the works. However, it may not be in a medium that most Fight Club fans expect--a rock opera.
According to the Verge, at San Diego Comic-Con, author Chuck Palahniuk reportedly told entertainment reporter Jeff Goldsmith that director David Fincher was working on a Fight Club "rock opera," alongside his longtime musical cohort Trent Reznor. Furthermore, an actual tweet (as per Slashfilm) came on July 12 where Palahniuk said, "Julie Taymor working with David Fincher on a FIGHT CLUB rock opera? You didn't hear it from me."
Alas, there was no further explanation. The pairing makes a lot of sense, though. Fincher directed the original film, while Reznor has provided the soundtrack for Fincher's last three movies--including the acclaimed Gone Girl.
While most of the rumors have been exactly that--rumors--it sounds like plans for the production may, indeed, be solidifying. In a now-deleted tweet (again, apropos Slashfilm), Palahniuk also said: "Broadway director Julie Taymor will be working on the musical."
Long-time companion to cue genius Elliot Goldenthal, Taymor is probably best known for her previous work on the stage adaptation of The Lion King. And, of course, the recent, disastrous production known as Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark--an expensive musical plagued by rewrites, production delays, near-deaths and other setbacks.
Best of all, though, this "rock opera" appears to focus on the plot of the film, with nothing much ado about this year's comic book sequel. During promotion for that particular pulp back in April, Palahniuk alluded something might be abreast: "Fincher is optioning the stage rights. He's finally moving on to the big rock opera. David says that there's been a rock opera for every generation, you know, Tommy and then The Wall. But there really hasn't been a big one for the current generation, and he and Trent Reznor are determined to make that happen. And David's been consulting with Julie Taymor, the director, and she's been kind of coaching him on what it takes to get a huge stage production."
Ultimately, Classicalites, we will have to wait and see. But for nostalgia's sake, watch a clip of the original Fight Club, starring Brad Pitt, to whet your violent appetites.
