RIALTO CHATTER: Walker Dropped from 'X-Men' Flick?

Actor Benjamin Walker, star of BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, has been dropped from his role as Beast in 'X-Men: First Class,' The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye reports. However, adds Bamigboye, Walker may be offered the role again, as screen tests for potential replacements have not yet been satisfactory.

RIALTO CHATTER: Will 'DANCING' Pro Cheryl Burke 'Shimmy Shake' in Broadway's CHICAGO?

People Magazine is reporting that 'Dancing With the Stars' pro dancer Cheryl Burke may be set to 'razzle dazzle' on Broadway this winter, Burke was seen at the Ambassador Theater last night catching the musical CHICAGO. Rialto sources have hinted that she is in negotiations to join the long-running hit.

Scarlett Johansson: Judy Garland Dreams?

Scarlett Johansson's next project very well may be in a musical after-all (as previously reported, she was rumored to be the new star of Broadway's upcoming Promises Promises). That, turned out to be just rumor, her reps confirmed, however, reports are now circulating that Johannson is in search of the next big movie musical in which to star. The actress apparently grew up with big dreams of becoming the next Judy Garland, and she is reportedly letting the Hollywood executives know, according to IMDB News.

RIALTO CHATTER: Mendes, Shaiman and Wittman to Team for 'WILLY WONKA' Stage Musical?

Various media outlets, including The Hollywood Reporter and Entertainment Weekly are reporting that Tony Award-winning composing team Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman will join with director Sam Mendes on a stage musical version of the children's classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Actor Randy Quaid's Arrest, Part Of His 'Creative Process' Too?

'Tis been the season of exciting news. RENT and IN THE HEIGHTS are setting out on National Tours. Angela Lansbury and Catherine Zeta Jones have finally been confirmed for the Broadway revival of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, and celebrity imports like Hugh Jackman, Daniel Craig and Jude Law are hanging around town while staring in A STEADY RAIN (Jackman and Craig) and HAMLET (Law). But alas, every industry has its underbelly, which was clearly manifested in actor Randy Quaid's arrest in Malfa Texas last Thursday for skipping out on a California hotel bill in excess of $10,000, the Texas cops are reporting.

RIALTO CHATTER: A STEADY RAIN To 'Fall' In London With Jackman and Craig?

WhatsOnStage.com is reporting that early discussions are already under way for a West End transfer of the critically-acclaimed new American two-character play A STEADY RAIN by Keith Huff.

RIALTO CHATTER: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR To Be 'Resurrected' On Film?

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, the first masterpiece from the legendary writing team of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, is to have a new big screen transfer. According to the Risky Biz blog, Universal Pictures is keen to follow-up the phenomenal success of last year's 'Mamma Mia!' film, and is turning to 'Superstar' to make that happen.

RIALTO CHATTER: Banderas Eyes 'ZORBA' For Stage Return

UGO MovieBlog reports that Big screen heartthrob Antonio Banderas is eyeing a return to the Broadway stage in the stage adaptation of the classic film Zorba the Greek.

RIALTO CHATTER: Beyonce Seeks To Star In 'SISTER ACT: The Musical' Big Screen Transfer

The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye reports that pop music superstar and film actress Beyonce Knowles wants to star in a movie version of the current West End stage hit, Sister Act: The Musical.

RIALTO CHATTER: Justin Timberlake To Star In Guy Ritchie's GUYS AND DOLLS Remake?

Pop superstar Justin Timberlake may be headed to the silver screen in Guy Richie's upcoming remake of GUYS AND DOLLS. The performer is said to have agreed to star in one of Richie's new films, and the pair 'shook hands over a whisky at the Punch Bowl pub in Mayfair' to confirm the arrangement, reports Britain's The Sun.

RIALTO CHATTER: T.R. Knight To Exit 'ANATOMY' And Enter 'TENOR'?

Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello is reporting that Grey's Anatomy star T.R. Knight is exiting the hit ABC drama and eyeing a return to the stage, the Broadway stage to be exact.

RIALTO CHATTER: Ashton Kutcher Broadway Bound?

The New York Post's Michael Riedel is reporting that film star Ashton Kutcher is being rumored to join the steady roster of screen actors making their Broadway debuts, Kutcher reveals Riedel is considering an offer to star in Neil LaBute's 'FAT PIG.'

RIALTO CHATTER: Tim Rice Hopeful For CHESS To Return To The Stage

PBS's Great Performances will air the spectacular London concert revival of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus' 1986 cult musical Chess, featuring Reprise Records' Josh Groban and Idina Menzel as Chess in Concert on Wednesday, June 17th at 9 p.m. ET (check local listings).

RIALTO CHATTER: Shaiman and Wittman Pen Tune For Tony Award Telecast

A number of 'little birdies' are revealing that Tony Award-winning composing team Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman have written something special for The Tony Awards. And that same gaggle of gregarious geese have informed us to set our DVR's for the telecast possibly going past 11pm.

RIALTO CHATTER: Is Nolan Gerard Funk 'BIRDIE' Bound for Roundabout?

'Queen of All Media' Perez Hilton has let slip on his twitter that sources have revealed to him the news that Nolan Gerard Funk, the star of the Nickelodeon movie 'Spectacular!' has won a role in Roundabout's upcoming production of 'Bye Bye Birdie'. The next question is, has he been cast as Hugo Peabody or Conrad Birdie? As a budding teen idol, he could essay both characters will relative ease. There has been no official casting confirmations regarding those roles as of yet.

RIALTO CHATTER: Minnelli Urges 'GET HAPPY' Filmmakers to Stay 'Positive'

While speaking to Canada's Citytv, Liza Minnelli commented on the planned Judy Garland bio film 'GET HAPPY' and urged filmmakers to avoid focusing on her late mother's drug addiction in the upcoming project.

RIALTO CHATTER: Ramis Mentions 'Groundhog Day' Musical Movement to MTV

MTV Movies Blog revealed the news 'Groundhog Day' is still being discussed as coming to the stage as a musical comedy according to its original director Harold Ramis.

RIALTO CHATTER: Piven Gives 'Mercury Culpa' on GMA 1/15

Jeremy Piven has been talking mercury poisoning for the past number of days and he'll continue his toxicity talking points tour on tomorrow's GOOD MORNING AMERICA between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. Jeremy Piven claimed he was too sick with 'mercury poisoning' to show up for his Broadway show and abruptly left the production under a cloud of questions and mystery. In a Dec. 18 statement the play's producers gave a statement regarding the Piven exit, 'We have been advised by Jeremy Piven's medical representatives that he is seriously ill and is unable to fulfill his contractual obligation to Speed-the-Plow. Consequently, he has left the production ten weeks early.'