After ‘Rent,’ Fox may decide to own instead.
The cast of ‘Rent: Live’ rehearses a scene from the show before the live musical telecast on January 27,2019. (Photo by FOX via Getty Images) Getty
After Rent, Fox may decide to own instead.
According to Fox entertainment president Michael Thorn, the television network might make its own jukebox musical based on the songs of a popular artist for its next live musical telecast. Developing a show from scratch, as opposed to mounting a Broadway show like Grease or Rent, allows Fox to “create our own IP and have some ownership,” he explained.
Thorn, who has also been seeking ownership stakes in television series purchased from outside production studios, confirmed that Fox has already approached a couple of artists about adapting their music into a musical. The discussions are ongoing, he said, adding that the television network will be “incredibly selective” about its future live musical telecasts.
“In an age of somewhat ‘manufactured’ entertainment, this would seem a good opportunity,” commented Vermont Law professor Oliver Goodenough. “By basing [the live musical telecast] on one composer, you could have one-stop shopping for the rights,” and “you would also be building off a known property, which seems a successful strategy in today’s world,” he stated.
