Christopher Walken Joins Clint Eastwood Musical 'Jersey Boys'

While musicals aren't the genre most would associate Clint Eastwood with, it's one that he knows a thing or two about and has been trying for a few years to get back into. We've seen his attempts to get a remake of A Star is Born off the ground, and when that hit a stumbling block he took over an adaptation of Broadway hit, Jersey Boys. And now with production gearing up, Eastwood has cast his first big name.

Christopher Walken will play gangster Angelo "Gyp" DeCarlo in the musical, which is based on the real life story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. DeCarlo helped guide the careers of the Jersey Boys early on, even as they tried to make their name without being tied with organized crime. Walken adds some much needed starpower to a film that may need it, as Eastwood is seeking out four unknowns to play the band. John Lloyd Young is set to play Valli, Erich Bergen is Bob Gaudio, Michael Lomenda is Nick Massi, and Vincent Piazza is Tommy Devito. With the exception of Piazza, who has appeared in Boardwalk Empire and the 2007 comedy Rocket Science, all are reprising their roles from Jersey Boys stage productions.

Jersey Boys is set to begin production this September.  [Deadline/Variety]