The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway Movie

In a recently launched Talks at Google video, Peter Gabriel hinted again at a possible “Lamb Lies Down on Broadway” movie. He mentioned an encounter with an illustrator from Chicago who was working on some things for The Lamb.  No more details were given but this is not the first time Gabriel has eluded to this re-introduced idea, which is a good one.

The Lamb is a concept album by prog-rockers Genesis released in 1975, the last one to feature Peter Gabriel on vocals before his exit from the band. It tells the story of a juvenile delinquent names Rael and his various escapades and encounters with evils doctors and slippermen. There was an attempt by Gabriel and The Exorcist director William Friedkin back in the 70′s to explore this but it fell flat.

The concept album to feature film hasn’t been the most popular vehicle to box office success and hasn’t seen much traction since Pink Floyd’s The Wall but there is something visually captivating about the story of Rael that would make it’s leap to film a grande-affair. It’s trippy and edgy.

CGI trickery aside, storytelling would be key with the likes of Tim Burton and Ang Lee coming to mind. The protag would carry this film so the lead role of Rael would also be integral.

Here are just a few casting suggestions for our rambunctious protagonist.

Top picks: Diego Luna or Gael Garcia as Rael

This one is a toss up. We noticed Diego Luna and Gael Garcia in 2001′s Y tu mamá también where two teenage boys and an older woman set sail on a road trip and learn about their friendship and ultimately, sex. Luna would portray a fragility whereas Garcia would burst out his confident rock-star vibes.

Alternate pick: Jake Gyllenhaal as Rael

Although the least Puerto Rican looking or sounding of the bunch, there is something about the intensity of Gyllenhaal’s eyes (and eyebrows) that would make for an uneasy Rael (think Jarhead and Donnie Darko).  He also looks like the Rael depiction on the albums back-sleeve.

Longshot: Johnny Depp as Rael

Maybe a slight age discrepancy, with Rael being a young juvenile and Depp being 1 year short of 50. But of course, with a little make-up, Depp can play anything.

See the entire Talks at Google below. Forward to 33:00 mins for The Lamb bit.

Concept Album, Diego Luna, Gael Garcia, Genesis, jake gyllenhaal, johnny depp, Music to Film, Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, The Exorcist, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, William Friedkin