Paul Mescal Takes Over Blake Jenner Role in Richard Linklater’s Decades-Spanning ‘Merrily We Roll Along’

Richard Linklater’s feature film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s musical “Merrily We Roll Along” is merrily rolling again, with “Aftersun” and “Normal People” star Paul Mescal stepping into the lead role of Broadway composer Franklin Shepard, replacing original star Blake Jenner. Mescal joins Ben Platt, who plays Franklin’s creative partner and lyricist Charley, and Beanie Feldstein, playing the duo’s good friend, theater critic Mary. The story tracks the trio’s disintegrating friendship as Franklin abandons Charley and Mary to become a successful Hollywood film producer — the twist is that the story is told in reverse chronological order, starting… Read Full Article