Grease Prequel Gains Speed with Brett Haley Directing

Grease prequel, Summer Lovin’ from Paramount is gaining momentum as Brett Haley is brought on to direct.

The 1978 musical classic which starred John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John was a massive hit. The plot revolved around two teens -Danny (Travolta) and Sandy ( Newton-John) – who after a brief summer fling come to find out they are attending the same high school.

Though coming from two very different worlds, the pair try to make their relationship work armed with a soundtrack that’s gone on to become iconic. One of the songs, “Summer Nights,” which details the summer fling that started their relationship, is the basis for the upcoming prequel. Detailing the fateful meeting and everything that followed, Leah McKendrick penned the script with Temple Hill and Picturestart producing.

The 1978 classic catapulted John Travolta to movie star status and was adapted to Emmy-winning Fox show in 2016

All adaptations of Grease so far have been successful– whether it be the sequel starring Michelle Pfeiffer or the 2016 Emmy-winning TV version on Fox starring Julianne Hough and Vanessa Hudgens – and this new film’s performance might decide the fate of a possible franchise in the future.

Haley – who recently helmed All the Bright Places, starring Elle Fanning and Justice Smith is well-known in the indie and streaming circuit with films like I’ll See You in My Dreams, The Hero and Hearts Beat Loud and Summer Lovin’ will mark his first film at a major studio. After having recently worked together on the Netflix film Sorta Like a Rock Star, the Grease prequel is set to take forward their strong ties between Haley and Temple Hill. Deadline reported that the job that Haley would eventually win was highly coveted and it was not only Haley’s passion for the project but his pitch up how he could update it for the 2020 audiences.

What are your expectations from the Grease prequel? How do you think the iconic story will hold up in 2020? Comment below!