A few weeks ago we learned that Greg Berlanti was working on a brand-new version of Little Shop of Horrors, the definitive off-Broadway musical-turned-musical comedy featuring a gigantic, man-eating Venus flytrap from space. At the time, we also learned that Taron Egerton and Scarlett Johansson were both circling lead roles in the project, and we were intrigued. Little Shop of Horrors is, after all, one of our favorite movies, and it would be great fun, indeed, to see Egerton and Johansson taking on the roles of Seymour and Audrey.
Today brings an even more exciting update: according to The Hollywood Reporter, Chris Evans has entered negotiations to star in the film as Orin Scrivello, the insane dentist famously played by Steve Martin in Frank Oz's 1986 film. It's a helluva role - debatably the most interesting role in the entire goddamn movie! - and Evans would be a most inspired choice to fill it.
Says THR:
"Evans will play the role of dentist Orin Scrivello, Audrey’s abusive and sadistic boyfriend who finds great pleasure in his chosen profession. The role is flashy (the character loves to use laughing gas) and comes with the scene-stealing signature song, “Dentist!”
For those of you who've never seen Little Shop of Horrors, here's a reminder what that "scene-stealing signature song" looks like in action:
Don't you wanna see Chris Evans performing this song? Don't you want to see Taron Egerton's Seymour Krelborn feed Chris Evans' abusive Orin Scrivello into that giant, man-eating flytrap from beyond the stars (who, by the way, is being voiced by Billy Porter in this version of the movie)? So do we.
The new Little Shop of Horrors is rapidly becoming one of our most-anticipated projects. Nothing further to report at this time, but rest assured we'll keep you informed as further updates roll in. While we're waiting on those: do you think any of the original Little Shop cast will pop in for cameos here? Think they'll go all-CGI on Audrey II, or think they'll try to work with practical FX? Sound off below, and stay tuned.