The 1996 film Evita spent nearly two decades in a chaotic, high-stakes development hell.
In short: Before Madonna took the screen as Eva Perón, the adaptation of the hit musical languished for fifteen years. It survived bidding wars, multiple directors, and shifting studio allegiances. From Meryl Streep to Liza Minnelli, the search for the perfect lead became as dramatic as the life of Argentina's iconic First Lady.
The journey of Evita to the big screen began long before its 1996 release, originating from the 1978 stage musical and the 1976 concept album. For over fifteen years, the project passed through the hands of various studios and filmmakers. Producer Robert Stigwood initially sought to bring the story to life, but early attempts faced significant hurdles. Directors like Ken Russell were hired and subsequently fired, while others, including Richard Attenborough and Herbert Ross, declined the opportunity. The project was even briefly abandoned by studios like Paramount and Disney due to rising budget concerns and safety fears following riots in Argentina.
Casting the title role proved equally volatile. Madonna, who had expressed interest as early as 1986, faced stiff competition from heavyweights like Meryl Streep, who even recorded preliminary dubbings of the score, and Michelle Pfeiffer, who was confirmed for the role in 1994 before leaving due to pregnancy. When Alan Parker finally took the helm in 1994, he insisted on maintaining creative control, famously stating the film would not be a glorified music video. To prepare, Madonna underwent rigorous vocal training to master the operatic demands of the score, eventually winning a Golden Globe for her performance.
The production itself was a logistical feat, spanning locations in Buenos Aires, Budapest, and Shepperton Studios in England. Despite securing permission to film in Argentina, the crew faced intense local protests from those who feared the film would tarnish Eva's image. When access to the actual Casa Rosada was denied, the team constructed a replica in England. Upon its release, the film grossed $141 million against a $55 million budget, earning mixed reviews but securing an Academy Award for the original song "You Must Love Me," written specifically for the film by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Evita (1996 film)
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