Christopher Walken said to join Clint Eastwood’s ‘Jersey Boys’

Christopher Walken, having already proved that he can sing (in the movie “Hairspray”) and dance (in Fatboy Slim’s “Weapon of Choice” music video), reportedly has been cast in Clint Eastwood’s big-screen version of the Broadway musical “Jersey Boys.”

Walken will play mobster Gyp De Carlo in the planned movie, which is expected to start shooting later this year. The supporting character -- who is based on the real-life member of the Genovese crime family -- serves as a Tom Hagen-like advisor to Frankie Valli and his cohort of aspiring singers.

The casting news, first reported by Deadline, is the first piece of casting announced for the Eastwood movie. It has been rumored that the director is casting the lead actors from the various stage productions of “Jersey Boys,” but no announcement has been made.

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“Jersey Boys” had its world premiere at the La Jolla Playhouse in 2004 before opening the following year in New York, where it is still running at the August Wilson Theatre. Des McAnuff directed the production, which has since been seen on national tour.

Speaking of Valli, the original Jersey boy is scheduled to perform in a weeklong engagement at the Broadway Theatre in New York, Oct. 19-27, in celebration of his group’s 50th anniversary.

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