Branagh’s boogie with the Bee Gees
Actor knight Kenneth Branagh had a touch of Night Fever about him as he made discoboogie gestures with his arms while he went through the hit parade of Bee Gees chart-toppers.
Branagh (pictured) told me that he is working on a screenplay, which Ben Elton is writing, about the legendary super-group’s rise to the top, for a film that he will also direct.
He revealed that he’s collaborating with Barry Gibb on the project — the last surviving Bee Gee, and Gibb brother.
Maurice died in 2003 and robin, his twin, nine years later. troubled youngest brother, Andy — who had his own solo career — died in 1988.
‘they were a hell of a cultural phenomenon and Barry’s story is a pretty special one,’ said Branagh.
Enthused, the filmmaker spoke of the string of nonstop songs that came out in 1977 from the Saturday Night Fever film alone: How Deep Is Your Love, Stayin’ Alive, Night Fever and If I can’t Have You (sung by Yvonne Elliman on the soundtrack).
Barry also wrote the title song for the Grease movie; plus he helped pen several songs for Andy. Branagh said it was an era that caused them grief in the end. ‘You could not put the radio on and not hear a Bee Gees song, they experienced a global ubiquity. ‘It’s a level of fame that is extraordinary to look at . their catalogue of songs is absolutely amazing. the only songwriters more successful than the Bee Gees,’ he said ‘are the Beatles, and not by much.’ the producer Graham King initially hired Anthony Mccarten (who wrote Queen film Bohemian rhapsody) to write a Bee Gees screenplay. However, Branagh said ‘ I have not seen that version (Mccarten’s). When I arrived there was already a new starting point with Ben and Graham.’ Elisabeth Murdoch, Stacey Snider and Jane Featherstone are producing the picture with King. casting has not yet started. there had been rumours that Bradley cooper was being considered to portray Barry Gibb, but his representatives said there was no truth in them. Busy Branagh is also directing, and starring with Lolita chakrabarti, in a new production of terence rattigan’s the Browning Version at the riverside Studios from August 5.