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CNN Live Today

Interview with Director of 'Chicago'

Aired March 06, 2003 - 10:54   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: "Chicago" has gone Hollywood in a big way. The movie/musical made a big showing at the Golden Globe Awards, and now the film is expected to hit Oscar gold at this year's Academy Awards.
Rob Marshall directed the film. He is up for an Oscar himself, and he's joining us to talk about the film that has everybody buzzing.

Rob, good morning, thanks for joining us.

ROB MARSHALL, OSCAR NOMINEE: Thank you so much.

KAGAN: Forgot about buzzing. Let's talk about glowing. Things are going so well. Let's review the last couple days here. Besides the 13 Oscar nominations, the Producers Guild gives the film the best picture award. On Saturday, the Director's Guild, the DGA, gave you director of the year.

MARSHALL: Couldn't believe it. I mean, I was sitting there with Scorcese, Polanski was nominated, Stephen Daldry, Peter Jackson. I was just so thrilled to be in the group, let alone win. It was sort of overwhelming.

KAGAN: And for folks who are just getting to know you and your work, your background as a choreographer, as you go even farther back, as a dancer, first-time director here for the movie. Do you sit here and pinch yourself and say, what's a nice choreographer like me doing in a place like this?

MARSHALL: Absolutely. I can't quite believe it, you know. I was given this incredible, legendary piece to work on, and to, you know, hopefully do justice to. All I could think of was please serve this great material, this incredible (UNINTELLIGIBLE) musical.

KAGAN: Did I hear the story right? Of course this project has been kicking around Hollywood for years. And when you went in to talk about this, weren't you actually going to pitch a different project, and you actually came out with "Chicago?"

MARSHALL: Yes, it was quite bizarre. I went in -- they were looking for people to do the musical "Rent," looking for a director. So I went in to talk with them about that, and I basically said, do you mind if I'd tell you what I'd do with the musical "Chicago" before we begin, and we never spoke about "Rent." I kept explaining what I would do with it and how I would do it, and they dragged me into Harvey's office, and all of a sudden, two hours later, I had this movie. Overwhelming. KAGAN: And history is made.

Speaking of history what a year to be at a hot movie at the Oscars, the 75th anniversary diamond jubilee. It's pretty special.

MARSHALL: It's very special, because the legacy of the musical, our true American artform certainly goes so far back. I certainly grew up on musicals, and the other night, we had this incredible event where we had great legendary MGM musical stars are there, Mickey Rooney, and Jane Withers, and Margaret O'Brien and Shirley Jones. It was sort of overwhelming to meet them and see them all there. And, I don't know, there's something about the tradition of musicals that we're very proud to be a part of.

KAGAN: It's also very interesting times that we're living in. I think one of the reasons people have been drawn to "Chicago" and enjoyed it so much because it's an entertaining movie in these very difficult times.

MARSHALL: I think that's true. I think it's -- musicals can lift you in ways that nonmusicals can't. I certainly you know, think it's a great thing to do at the moment, to go to a theater and escape.

KAGAN: But you have the threat of this potential war and the timing of it with the Oscars, it could really be a dark cloud over what is usually such a magical night in Hollywood. Any concern about that?

MARSHALL: Yeah, you know, I feel something about the American spirit, we keep moving forward, and trying to do, you know, keep the celebrations alive that we still have. Hopefully, we'll go on without a hitch. I'm sure it will be something where we're feeling there, but I think we have to continue our lives. It's very important.

KAGAN: Well, speaking of moving forward, we'll be looking for your next project. What is it, quickly, by the way?

MARSHALL: Gosh, you know what? I don't know yet. I'm starting to read scripts and look at some things. I just want to feel as passionately as I did about "Chicago" in the next one.

KAGAN: It was very special one.

MARSHALL: Thank you, Daryn.

KAGAN: And a lot of people enjoying your work. And good luck. Come by and see us on the red carpet on Oscar night, OK?

MARSHALL: I'd be happy to.

KAGAN: We'd love to see you. Thanks you so much, Rob Marshall, director of "Chicago." Thanks for joining us.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired March 6, 2003 - 10:54   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: "Chicago" has gone Hollywood in a big way. The movie/musical made a big showing at the Golden Globe Awards, and now the film is expected to hit Oscar gold at this year's Academy Awards.
Rob Marshall directed the film. He is up for an Oscar himself, and he's joining us to talk about the film that has everybody buzzing.

Rob, good morning, thanks for joining us.

ROB MARSHALL, OSCAR NOMINEE: Thank you so much.

KAGAN: Forgot about buzzing. Let's talk about glowing. Things are going so well. Let's review the last couple days here. Besides the 13 Oscar nominations, the Producers Guild gives the film the best picture award. On Saturday, the Director's Guild, the DGA, gave you director of the year.

MARSHALL: Couldn't believe it. I mean, I was sitting there with Scorcese, Polanski was nominated, Stephen Daldry, Peter Jackson. I was just so thrilled to be in the group, let alone win. It was sort of overwhelming.

KAGAN: And for folks who are just getting to know you and your work, your background as a choreographer, as you go even farther back, as a dancer, first-time director here for the movie. Do you sit here and pinch yourself and say, what's a nice choreographer like me doing in a place like this?

MARSHALL: Absolutely. I can't quite believe it, you know. I was given this incredible, legendary piece to work on, and to, you know, hopefully do justice to. All I could think of was please serve this great material, this incredible (UNINTELLIGIBLE) musical.

KAGAN: Did I hear the story right? Of course this project has been kicking around Hollywood for years. And when you went in to talk about this, weren't you actually going to pitch a different project, and you actually came out with "Chicago?"

MARSHALL: Yes, it was quite bizarre. I went in -- they were looking for people to do the musical "Rent," looking for a director. So I went in to talk with them about that, and I basically said, do you mind if I'd tell you what I'd do with the musical "Chicago" before we begin, and we never spoke about "Rent." I kept explaining what I would do with it and how I would do it, and they dragged me into Harvey's office, and all of a sudden, two hours later, I had this movie. Overwhelming. KAGAN: And history is made.

Speaking of history what a year to be at a hot movie at the Oscars, the 75th anniversary diamond jubilee. It's pretty special.

MARSHALL: It's very special, because the legacy of the musical, our true American artform certainly goes so far back. I certainly grew up on musicals, and the other night, we had this incredible event where we had great legendary MGM musical stars are there, Mickey Rooney, and Jane Withers, and Margaret O'Brien and Shirley Jones. It was sort of overwhelming to meet them and see them all there. And, I don't know, there's something about the tradition of musicals that we're very proud to be a part of.

KAGAN: It's also very interesting times that we're living in. I think one of the reasons people have been drawn to "Chicago" and enjoyed it so much because it's an entertaining movie in these very difficult times.

MARSHALL: I think that's true. I think it's -- musicals can lift you in ways that nonmusicals can't. I certainly you know, think it's a great thing to do at the moment, to go to a theater and escape.

KAGAN: But you have the threat of this potential war and the timing of it with the Oscars, it could really be a dark cloud over what is usually such a magical night in Hollywood. Any concern about that?

MARSHALL: Yeah, you know, I feel something about the American spirit, we keep moving forward, and trying to do, you know, keep the celebrations alive that we still have. Hopefully, we'll go on without a hitch. I'm sure it will be something where we're feeling there, but I think we have to continue our lives. It's very important.

KAGAN: Well, speaking of moving forward, we'll be looking for your next project. What is it, quickly, by the way?

MARSHALL: Gosh, you know what? I don't know yet. I'm starting to read scripts and look at some things. I just want to feel as passionately as I did about "Chicago" in the next one.

KAGAN: It was very special one.

MARSHALL: Thank you, Daryn.

KAGAN: And a lot of people enjoying your work. And good luck. Come by and see us on the red carpet on Oscar night, OK?

MARSHALL: I'd be happy to.

KAGAN: We'd love to see you. Thanks you so much, Rob Marshall, director of "Chicago." Thanks for joining us.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com