Paul Mescal is changing Blake Jenner within the decade-spanning manufacturing of the film musical of Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Alongside, The truestarz has confirmed.

Richard Linklater will probably be directing the venture, which is being backed by Blumhouse, and can shoot over a 20-year span. (The director shot his Oscar-winning Boyhood over 12 years.)

The much-beloved musical, based mostly on the 1934 play of the identical identify by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, follows Franklin Shepard, a proficient composer of Broadway musicals that abandons his buddies and profession to grow to be a producer of Hollywood films. The story begins on the top of his Hollywood fame and strikes backwards in time, exhibiting necessary moments in Frank’s life.

Mescal will probably be enjoying the lead function of Broadway composer Franklin Shepard, which was beforehand meant to be performed by Jenner. After being solid, Jenner was embroiled in allegations of home abuse.

In November 2019, actress Melissa Benoist posted a 14-minute Instagram video throughout which she spoke of being a survivor of home violence. On the time, Benoist didn’t identify her abuser. In October 2020 Jenner, who was beforehand married to Benoist, took to social media the place he apologized for an abusive relationship, writing that he took “full duty and accountability for the harm that I inflicted throughout my relationship with my previous associate — emotionally, mentally, and sure, bodily.” (Jenner, who additionally lodged claims of abuse towards his former associate, additionally didn’t identify the associate he was referring to in his submit.)

Mescal will be a part of a beforehand introduced solid of Beanie Feldstein and Ben Platt. The venture introduced 4 years in the past, accomplished its first section of filming in Aug 2019. Ginger Sledge will produce with Jason Blum for Blumhouse, together with Jonathan Marc Sherman and Linklater.

Mescal, who broke out in Hulu collection Regular Individuals, was not too long ago solid in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator sequel. He has earned acclaim this previous yr for his work in Cannes stand-out Aftersun.

Above the Line first reported this information.