Will a Comedy Version of "Dallas" Kill JR?

by Jordan Yerman | August 24, 2007 at 08:58 am

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Regency and 20th Century Fox will shoot JR... the two studios are working on the big-screen version of the classic prime-time drama Dallas, which featured Larry Hagman (he of I Dream of Jeannie fame) as the iconic tyrannical tycoon. The twist here is that the film will be developed as a comedy in an attempt to woo that prized younger audience.
Who's been tapped to play JR?

John Travolta remains attached to play slimy oil tycoon J.R. Ewing.

When the movie was derailed late last year, Gurinder Chadha ("Bend It Like Beckham") was directing. Luke Wilson was attached to play Bobby Ewing with Shirley MacLaine to play Miss Ellie, while producers were talking with Meg Ryan to play Sue Ellen after Jennifer Lopez dropped out.

The budget for the comic "Dallas" should be lower than the projected $65 million for the straight-faced version.

There is also hope that a comedy about the dysfunctional Ewings will appeal to a younger audience, which has become a Regency priority.