‘Jersey Boys’ musical could get Jon Favreau as director

Jon Favreau has emerged as the lead candidate to direct the planned movie version of the Tony Award-winning jukebox musical “Jersey Boys,” according to a report this week in Variety.

Favreau may seem like a strange choice for the job judging from his recent directorial efforts “Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2” and “Cowboys and Aliens.” But Favreau’s screenplay for the 1996 movie “Swingers” suggests he knows a thing or two about ambitious young men trying to make it in showbiz.

“Jersey Boys” is reportedly being adapted for the screen by John Logan, the Tony-winning playwright (“Red”) and Oscar-nominated screenwriter (“Hugo,””The Aviator”). Graham King is producing the movie, which is expected to be released in 2013.

The Broadway musical tells the story of the rise of the group the Four Seasons, with their history told from the perspective of each of its principal members. The show uses popular songs from group, including “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Walk Like a Man.”

The show debuted in 2004 at the La Jolla Playhouse before eventually transferring to Broadway, opening in 2006 at the August Wilson Theatre where it is still playing. Des McAnuff directed the musical.

“Jersey Boys” ran in Los Angeles at the Ahmanson Theatre in 2007.

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