Disney’s planning to put a musical spin on Charles Dickens’ classic Oliver Twist, and Ice Cube could be its Fagin, according toThe Hollywood Reporter. The new musical adaptation (completely independent from the famous and frequently-performed 1960 musical Oliver!) would be much-needed breath of fresh air from all of the live-action remakes Disney has in store, like Peter Pan and Aladdin.
Oliver Twist follows an orphan boy who leads a miserable life in a workhouse, which he escapes by falling in with a London gang of pickpockets led by criminal leader Fagin. THR reported Ice Cube, already on board as a producer, will be playing Fagin.
According to THR, the currently untitled musical will be a modern take on the story, and will span genre, including hip-hop. Cube is said to be writing the treatment along with Thomas Kail. Besides being the Tony-winning director of Hamilton, Kail directed Grease Live! That latter program won him the Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special, famously beating out the Queen Bey herself, who was up for Lemonade.
Cube is also said to be producing the musical through his production company CubeVision. Up next for Ice Cube is a third installment in the Ride Along franchise and the long-awaitedLast Friday, which Cube has said he’s been trying to make happen.
