YAY!!! I can't wait. I'm glad to hear that nothing has been cut. The music is great so I have a feeling that the film is going to be spectacular! It's so exciting! I'm pretty sure that the whole week of Thanksgiving, I will be spending all my time at the theater watching it. Aw, Jesse you are so cute!
Thanks so much.
Stephanie

I cant wait till this movie comes out

Thank you so much for the blog! It gave me chills and completely made my day! :) Love the jesse cameo lol
~cheryl~

Oh my goodness I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!

That made my day right there. I definatly just started clapping and screaming in the middle of it. YAY!

I am somewhat relieved that it got a PG13 rating because now a whole new generation are able to see it! It reaches a lot more people with that rating, so, I'm glad that's what it got. My younger cousins are very excited now that its PG13 because their parents would never let them see the show but they are already allowed to see the movie.

Thank you SO MUCH for keeping this film true to the show, I could not have asked for anything more, and all the actors are so AMAZING! I have to wait until tomorrow to get the soundtrack because it got delayed a week here (The people at Borders are afraid of me now, I've been in there everyday since the 27th asking if they got the CD yet...) but I am sure I will LOVE it!

WOW! IM Sooo Soooo Sooo Exited for The Movie! We all Love you Chris for Staying true to the play! You're all sooo amazing! MUAH!

- Annie - Idina Menzel's Number 1 FAN! (lol)

Thanks for your reassurance. :-) Everyone's completely awesome. There's only a month and a half to go; we'll all be waiting with anticipation!

Thank you so *expletive* much for keeping it true to the stage production. You have no idea how much relaxed I was once I heard Anthony drop the f'bomb in Tango.
To me it meant that although the PG13 will bring younger crowds, they will still get the same beautiful, truthful, lovely (Heh..throw Freedom in there and we have Moulin Rouge) show thats gritty and raw at the same time.
Thank you so much again. Jesse - Love the Cameo.

haha i think everyone would see it even if it had an R rating. I am always excited about seeing musicals and plays, but this is the first time a movie has made me this impatiant and exctied and tearful. I believe, chris, that you did a WONDERFUL job.
sara

Who'da thunk that Rent would be pg-13!

This is going to be one hell of a great movie, I can tell already. I can't wait!

We as fans couldn't ask for more. Thank you so much. Everything about the movie seems so amazing.
Jonathan would be proud!
<333linzee

I'm so happy to hear that you didn't have to cut anything to get a PG-13. I was actually kind of worried about that, and thought I'd have to wait months for a directors cut, but nothing was cut, so yeah, I'm happy.

Now, I'm not sure about Rent being a family film, but meh, you never know.

And, people would of seen it anyway if there was a R rating. Do R ratings actually stop people these days? Maybe it'll help out at the box office and such.

Don't mind my ramblings...but, yay! I can officially say that Rent comes out next month! :D

-Amanda

Thanks for the reassurance for how true it is! I was floored when I saw that RENT would be rated PG-13, but it's nice to hear that everything has gone very well and that the lyrics are mostly intact. Very comforting to someone who's loved the show since she first heard "La Vie Boheme" 3 or 4 years ago. :D

<3
Emily

(ps: Jesse, the cameo rocks. :D)

Thanks for addressing the PG-13 rating Chris, I am sure you've had people screaming their heads off about it. After hearing from you and Anthony that the movie was going to be R for sure everyone was really shocked at the PG-13 and was afraid that some content had been cut in editing. I am glad to hear that you've stayed true to Jonathan's lyrics.

I'm glad that it will have a PG-13 rating. I think that it will impact a lot more people (who may not even know about rent but go to see it anyways). I know I'm going to see it like..10times that first weekend.
I fell in love with this musical when it first came out and I was 13 and in Junior High. RENT has been a huge part of my life, but because I lived in a small town hours upon hours way from a "city" I never had the chance to see the show live.
I am stationed in San Diego and last year the National Tour of RENT came through. My husband bought me tickets for my birthday (he's a good sport but not really a b-way freak). When I got to the theater and saw everyone camping out...I was so jealous! I wanted to camp out so bad!!!!(But I had to go to work). When we were allowed into the theater and saw the stage...I started crying. When Mark opened with "December 24th 9pm.." I kept crying. It was AMAZING!!! After imagining the show in my head for 8years I finally saw the production.
I cannot wait for this movie! I have been a fan for soooo long and I so glad that Chris is directing ( I love what he did with Harry Potter) and that most of the Original Cast is back. Tracie and Rosario...you are truly amazing and I'm glad that you are part of the RENT family.
I am planning on making up for the fact that I didn't camp out for the show and I am planning on Camping out for the movie. But I'm adding a new twist...I will be hosting a drive-by donation center with a local charity to collect food and clothing for San Diego's homeless. So if anyone is in San Diego and would like to help out then email me. If were are going to be freezing our butts off anyways, we might as well help those who have no choice but to freeze EVERY night. RENT will be blaring all night and imprompt-tu performances are a must. Bring your ten gallon plastic pickle tubs! newlywedharts@yahoo.com

Thanks, Chris. We're trusting you, and that's a big thing for any RENThead to do -- trust my baby with someone??? That's scary as anything. But I think from what I've seen/heard thus far, you're doing an exceptional job. Thanks, from all of us.
*Mondie :)

i always feel better after visiting this site.

thank you chris, the cast, and everyone.

i love you all.

erik

I'm glad that they'll be opening it up to a broader audience, but if we have a bunch of giggling and talking kids in the back row like most of the other PG-13 movies I've been too lately, I'm gonna have to kick some arse!

yesssssssss! even though im 17 im happy it's pg-13! more RENT for everyone!

i was a little nervous when i heard about the pg-13, but now i feel better. I cannot wait for this movie it's crazyyy.. thank you soo much for doing everything that you have chris, looking forward to this movie like nothing i ever have before. I love all of you<3.

Allright!

I'm glad everything went so well. I'm slightly worried that it wont be shown here in iceland untill late December or something (as usually here...) Does anyone know anything about that?

With lots of love-
-even seasons of it...

Inga Ausa from Iceland

I feel like we're being watched... in a good way.

If this is in response to all the internet buzz and people being upset about the movie rating... THANK YOU.

Thank you so much to paying attention to what is important to the fans of this show, and being willing to reach out to us and make us understand what is going on.

I am so very excited!

congrats to all the cast and crew on this film! it looks like it will be a great movie and I can't wait to see it. I would have never thought rent could be pg-13 (even with the odd raitings that seem to come out these days) but hey now people don't have an excuse not to see it!

Well I am glad you made it PG (even though)????there are a lot of young one's who would love to go see it. And their mommy & daddy wouldn't let them, and now maybe they will. oh and Jesse cute cameo, reaaaal cute.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Thank you so much Chris and the cast and crew! I am so freaking excited you have no idea! Now I have to go run into rehearsal to tell everyone! Even tho I couldn't see it if it was R (I still have my ways) now I don't have to worry about it, AH so excited thanks!

here is the ratings boards definition of PG13 look for my addition of " "

PG-13 is thus a sterner warning to parents to determine for themselves the attendance in particular of their younger children as they might consider some material not suited for them. Parents, by the rating, are alerted to be very careful about the attendance of their under-teenage children.

A PG-13 film is one which, in the view of the Rating Board, leaps beyond the boundaries of the PG rating in theme, violence, nudity, sensuality, language, or other contents, but does not quite fit within the restricted R category. "Any drug use content will initially require at least a PG-13 rating." In effect, the PG-13 cautions parents with more stringency than usual to give special attention to this film before they allow their 12-year olds and younger to attend

I'm so happy that the movie is rated PG-13. Now every time I want to see it my parents don't have to buy the ticket!!!! Can't wait till November!
Much Love,
Sarah

awwww! :)

My day has just been made. Thank you!!!

Thank you for reassuring us that the movie has stayed true to the show and that you were shocked about its PG-13 rating. I would consider it an R rated movie and hope that when you say you stayed true to the show, that you just got really lucky with the rating, because even though I'm only 16, I want this movie to be just as amazing as the show was.

I can't wait for the 23rd. I'm going to see it once I get out of school, we have a half day so I'll be seeing it around 11ish in the morning. Can't wait...thank you for this, Chris. I hope you did Jonathan justice.

-Jennie

Thanks Mr. Columbus ;)

Thank you very much for the encouraging words. So so excited for the movie, I love you to death. Woohoo!!!

- Annie
Yonkers, NY

P.S. - Convince Wilson or Jesse to take me to the premiere ;)

I think it's really cool that RENT got a PG-13. And I'm very greatful that you didn't change stuff even though people were expecting an R rating. So, thanks a lot and I can't wait to see the film.

YAY! i'm so glad nothing was cut!!! Knowing that makes me want to see the movie a thousand times more!!! Oh and Jesse loved the cameo!!!

Jesse that was ADORABLE. Haha I love it. I'm glad to hear that the pg-13 rating was unexpected for you guys as well and you didn't intentionally cut out some of the best parts to make it fit into that category. Can't wait for the movie!

Wow. Thanks so much for posting that, I was kind of worried about the PG-13 rating. I knew you all were staying true to the stage version though, and I love you guys for that.

Now I don't have to get my parents to take me to this...haha. I can't wait, thanks guys.

Love you all,
Meredith

Ha ha, Jesse.

i'm sitting here with my dog, Mimi, lounging in my lap, and i am so excited about this movie... i've seen RENT 3 times and absolutely LOVE it... i'll see it the day before thanksgiving, the day after thanksgiving, and i'll aim to see it the day after that... thank you so much for staying true to the show, mr. columbus!
"how about love?"
~~

It.is.gonna.be.so.great!!!! Thanks so much Chris! I can't wait!

You have once again managed to chase away my fears about this movie

The length sounds great. Not too long, not too short. And of course people are getting emotional about it. For the first time ever, last night I cried when listening to What You Own! Haha. Time to listen to some Rent ... Even if I am in Accounting Class. Hehe.

And ... PG-13 makes me insanely happy. Now I can go without dragging my mom to go see it. I can't wait!

*hugs*
~Lausy M.

I'm actually very happy about the PG-13 rating. I already had approval to go see it, but many of my friends who aren't as familiar (or obsessed...) with the show couldn't get it. And seeing the movie over and over and OVER again wouldn't have been the same without everyone close to me being able to see it. So thank you so much! I can't wait!

Mazel Tov on the PG13....cannot wait. Jesse is so cute with the little hug!!! Less than two months! ahhh!!!
Sammy

Yay! Over 2 hours that I get to look at the pretty people in Rent. Woot, woot. Basically, the movie is done...the movie is done. *lets that sink in* Yikes-a-bee, it's almost here. AND I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR!

Nice to see some Chris love there, Jesse. That randomness made my bad day better. *grins*

Off to seek a scarf and similar sweater that she may cross-dress as her beloved Mark,
Bethy

Hottness now all my friends can see it with me

Oh my goodness I am so excited for this movie... now I don't have to worry about getting carded! (I turn seventeen in October, but still) Thanks for this update, Chris. It's reassuring, knowing you're behind the wheel of this baby. And Jesse - you da man, baby. HOLLA! - Jill

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

That is all I have to say.

YAY! I'm glad it didn't have to be changed to be PG-13! Congratulations!

I would not have cared either way because I am old enough to see Rate "R", but I am so glad to hear that it received a PG-13 rating for all of those younger fans... (I was Hoping for that!!) Me and my younger sister are so there on Wednesday the 23rd!!! So Excited!!!

<3 Lindsey :)

Yay! Me and my friends are SO happy it's PG-13! You see, most of us are 14-16 and it'd be kind of weird taking our parents to see it with us(IF they even LET us see it!)Plus, we don't really like watching R-rated movies (but we would've made an exception for RENT)It's also very comforting to know that Jonathan's lyrics didn't have to be changed. I'm so excited for this movie to come out (it's ben a huge influence on my life) and it's amazing that you guys would take the time to keep us updated =)

Much love,

~Liz

-raises eyes to the heavens- Thank you, God. I'm glad to hear nothing was intentionally cut for the movie to be PG-13, even though I thought it was kinda odd so many people complained about you doing that even though you said from the start that it was gonna be R. This now means my friend Hannah can see it with me. I was gonna get to see it even it was rated R because I would have gone with my sister or my fellow RENThead grandfather but it was my friends I was worried about. Hannah can't even see the play because one of her mother's friend said the play was suggested for seventeen and up even though the RENT play main site says 'recommended for aged thirteen and up'. So this makes me greatly happy. I'm gonna see it so many times that come December the people at my movie theater will all know me by first name. xD

Thank you Chris. Thank you Jesse for that wonderful cameo(where was Wilson!?!? o.0) And most of all, thank you Jonathan Larson!

November 23rd, 9 p.m, Eastern standard time...

-The Alice

RENT: LOCK AND LOADED!

Chris, wonderful news! Thanks for clearing up what I had already suspected....a PG-13 film without any cuts to compromise your cinematic vision! So I guess we get the best of the both worlds...RENT as it was meant to be seen and an expanded audience base for even greater box-office success! After listening to the Soundtrack, it is obvious that you have taken RENT to a whole new level for the screen. Raw, upclose, intimate, passionate and real. The movie "sounds" awesome...can't wait to SEE it! Thanks again for your brilliant vision and being a friend to all your fellow "rentheads".

Yes the PG-13 rating is great news, now everyone else can see how truly wonderful RENT is. A quick question, does anyone know the exact day the movie is coming out because I have been seeing the 23rd of November for so long and then today I downloaded the screansaver and it said the 11th of November. Which is it?

Thank God they didn't have to change any lyrics!!! i was scared they'd end up changing alot of it to get the pg-13 rating.... so this is awesome!!!!!

chris... simply put.. thank you for your vision...
to the cast, thank you for your talents...
jonathan larson, thank you for your work...

i sincerely cannot wait until november 23rd!

if anyone is going to watch it in the san fran area, please lemme know, k?

Personally, i was worried that Rent would be short and sweet at an hour and a half long, but I was so ecstatic to hear that it is two hours, however I probably could gone for 3.5, like even longer than Titanic!
I read this all the time and it is truly enlightening.
I think you guys are doing a great thing for the world, As did Jonathan Larson.

What, so I'm 17 for nothing?! No I totally kid, this is so awesome that more people can see our baby and learn from it too. I can't wait...yay for all the techies who have worked on this film, I'm sure you've all held up your end of the deal as well. I can't wait, and thanks a million for the update

*cheers
shady

omggggggggggg...so unbelievably excited...PG-13...heck yes!!!!!!! i really can't wait any longer =/

chris - thanks for that wonderful blog. and thanks, also, for reassuring us all about the rating...i know so many people who were freaking out about it. but to hear that nothing's been cut, a pg-13 rating is awesome! i'm really glad that it'll be made available to a much wider audience.

jesse - haha, loved the 2-second appearance. that made my day!

xoxoxox

I am way beyond excited right now! I just saw the trailer while I was looking around at another site and I almost started to cry. I cannot wait for the film to come out. No school the day it comes out so I'm sure I will see the movie a couple of times :)!

YES! PG 13!

I'm soo glad. That really lifts my spirits. I now won't have to lie to get in! whoohoo!

Thank you Chris! This is wonderful. I can't wait for this film. I'm so emotional over it too, and I haven't seen the film yet! Just the previews make me cry.

Chris,

Thankyou soo much!! for doing this movie!! It is good to hear from you (not that we dont all loooooooooove Anthony) but it is good to hear from you! The PG-13 rating is awesome!!! Now so many more people can experience this life changing film!! I this it is wonderful!! I cant wait!! I know you have done a wonderful job and I look forward to the movie!! Thankyou again sooo much!!!!
kim

Chris,

Thankyou soo much!! for doing this movie!! It is good to hear from you (not that we dont all loooooooooove Anthony) but it is good to hear from you! The PG-13 rating is awesome!!! Now so many more people can experience this life changing film!! I this it is wonderful!! I cant wait!! I know you have done a wonderful job and I look forward to the movie!! Thankyou again sooo much!!!!
kim

P.S. Greetings from Oklahoma!!!

The soundtrack is incredible! I've been listening to it non-stop for the past 7 days. I picture Mimi and Roger singing 'I Should Tell You' in the falling snow, and chills run through every inch of my body. Rent is such a witty, heartbreaking, uplifting story. It's about time the rest of the world discovered it. Cheers to Chris, the cast, and the crew. I'm counting the days! It's almost here!

YES! Ahhh this made my day! I can go see it every day if i want and wont have to have my mom there every time! SCORE! And what matters more is that he didn't change any of Jonathan's lyrics!

WoOoOoOoO!!!! That just made me VERY happy! My mom and I have already discussed attending a midnight showing and saying we're probably going to see it over 10 times. I've seen the musical over 7 times and I just can't wait any longer!

OOOOHHH i CANT wait!!! Im listening to the soundtrack right now the musical arrangement is awesome! shout out to Rosario and tracie, ive never heard you guys sing till now and i just wanna say you guys sound really cool!

At first I was scared of the PG-13 rating...then I realized the first time I saw RENT 6 years ago I was 12 and I seem to have turned out alright, at least I think ;)

It's going to be brilliant, I'm so excited.

I'm very very very excited :D The soundtrack isn't available anywhere in Asia? I still don't have it!!!! And PG13 rocks :) Can't wait!!!

Thanks for your video blog,I'm still incredibly grateful for all of these consistent updates over the past six months, you've really made me feel like I have a say in the film, and for this, words can't comprehend my joy. I'm acutally writing a RENT movie anticipatory article for my local paper with a CD review and my thoughts on the play. I'm just trying to get as many people as I can to see a film that I know will be great.

I'm sooo excited! Thanks Chris! I'm sure you have done a wonderful job!! Jesse...you are so adorable!

I have to admit I was a little shocked to hear that the movie is going to be PG-13, but I know they will keep true to the essence of the play, and therefore, am not worried. Ah, Jesse. There's a reason you're my favorite, lol

I'm sooo excited for Rent!!! It sounds like its going to be absolutely amazing!! I just got the soundtrack and it couldn't be any better!!
Thanks so much!!!

One more step closer!!!And PG13 to boot!! Great job...can't wait to see it.
Does anyone know the theaters for the world premier on Nov.11th?
NY
Toronto
LA

I've known for a while that the movie was coming out, but I saw my first official preview of it during a movie last weekend and when I first heard the music, I was like "Oh, that sounds familiar..." and when I saw it up there, I shushed everyone and was just captivated. I almost cried (1) because I LOVE "RENT"; and (2) I am so STOKED it's almost out! I've been a fan for almost 8 years and have seen it three times. Um, CAN'T WAIT!!!

Hey- I can't wait for RENT to come out- I saw it one tour, and had already been in love with the music, and seeing the show, was just......... amazing. I'm glad to hear it's close to the staged version, can't wait to see it!! I love you all so much for doing this!!!

hehhehe...

as my bro conrad said:
"if jesse l. martin gave his seal of approval during chris' blog, then i have complete confidence the movie is MORE than i expected"
(sorry bro, i know you didnt say the last part, but thats what *I* said! =P)

cant wait! "we begin on thanksgiving eve!!!"

I am SO glad that the film is PG-13, because that means I can see it with my friends! AAAAHHH! I CAN'T WAIT!

thank you. you totally put my mind at ease. I'm so very thrilled about this! And PG-13 is actually good, because all my friends can see it with me now! ^_^

love,
julia the renthead

Thanks Chris. This so great knowing that the film is complete and ready to go. Now our next milestone is the premiere! 11.23.05...can't wait!

--Jenn
Bronx, NY

Hmm . . . I've posted twice on the blogs before and both times my comment was never under the right name! Thats weird :P Anywho, November 23 needs to come SOONER! I can't stand the waiting. I just put the trailer on my MySpace page yesterday I think I've watched it at least 20 or more times to hold me over. And I can't listen to anything else except the soundtrack. That thing is on constant rotation on my iPod!

..:: * NiNa * ::..

I'm so glad you reasurred us that the content wasn't cut in the movie to receive its PG-13 rating.

Nina, your name shows below your post, not above it.

I didn't believe my friend when she told my it was rated pg-13, but seeing this is definitely reassuring. And I couldn't ask for a better 15th birthday!(A half day of school will rock too!)I'm so glad this blog has been set up, or else I wouldn't know where to look. I'm so glad Jonathons vision will be able to touch so many people through this movie.

one word

WHOOSH!!!!

Yes!!!! PG13 gosh i love Rent!!! I am glad that they kept everything the same cause i think it would be horrible to change Jonathan's lyrics, cant wait to see Idina and them all I will also spend all my time keeping up and loving and waiting this film!!! -screams- my friend called when she saw that one of the trailers(the one by sony pictures area) said rated PG13 so we were rating but official is so much better if i have the day off from school I will so count down the time until rent is officially released!i hope we can get tickets!!I love the music so much!! AHH lol hope to talk to you all soon love ya rent-heads

Celeste(Mimi Menzel)

p.s. the soundtrack is awesome...completely awesome you haven't disappointed this renthead

Thanks Chris!! That was very good news!

I can't freaking wait until November 23, I'm taking the day off work!! :)

Oh, and Wilson~ if you happen to read this, will you marry me??? Hahaha :)

Great that nothing had to be cut! It wouldn't have been the same without the obscenities :p
I'm so excited to see it although my patience has to last about 13,620 minutes from today for it to MAYBE come out in a theater near me. In the meantime, there's always the soundtrack on a 24hr rotation on my iPod, and the DVD release in the US.

VIVE LA VIE BOHEME!

oh wow.. thank you so much for the blog! its so encouraging to hear again and again that the film is true to the play..reassurance is great haha. I know this film will be astounding! Thank you so so much Chris, and the rest of the cast. I can't wait till Nov. 23!!!
all my love and support
Chelsea

i know the priciples in the cast and everything (very awesome) but are any of the original extras from the play in the movie? example: mr/mrs jefferson, paul, gordon, alexi darling, etc...

YEAH BUDDY!!!! I can't freaken wait! Johnathan Larson is an inspiration to us all and I know he is smiling down from Heaven. Thank you so much to all who have worked for this film. We are all so grateful! RENTHEAD ALL THE WAY!!!

~leap of faith~

I know ADULTS that don't go to R rated movies; so yes, this is a wonderful thing!

Hello Mister Columbus. I had a quick question about one of the performances on the CD. In La Vie Boheme A who the hell is singing that waiter part? I can't figure it out. Is it Wilson J? Aaron? You? Anyhow, I (like the rest of the rentheads on this blog) am nearly piddling in anticipation for this movie. Well not...not really "piddling". Let's just say that I'm a little more than eager and a little less than fiending...but only a little.

YES! This is so excited i cant belive It's PG-13 that is a huge happy suprise for my schoool. We are all planning on seeing it together!

I know its very early, but do you have any ideas about the special features on the DVD when it comes out? I hope there is HOURS AND HOURS worth of extra stuff, anything you can put on haha

Thanks for listening to us!

Can't wait for the movie!

PG-13! PG-13! YES!!!!!!! im so happy this is PG-13 my friend ( who got me addicted to RENT ) and i were sceaming in my living room when we foud out it was PG-13! our parents would have had heart attacks if it was R! o man yes! im soooo excited! November 23 is too far away! thank u so much for staying true to the musical and even from the trailers u can tell this movie is going to be spectacular! thanx soo much!
a rent head

Wow, that's great news! Unfortunately, coming from the other side of the world, it's still subject to the wrath of the national censorship board when it gets here (and I say when, not if!).

I'm so happy for everyone on the team, both cast and crew. And to all who get to see it before I do, have fun!

Thanks for that, Chris!! I was kinda worried when I heard about the PG-13 rating, cuz I thought you'd had to cut some shots or take things out. *whew* That makes me so relieved, and happy too, cause it'll definitely reach a much broader audience by being PG-13. You are super crazy awesome!

~Alex

omg! so happy that it's pg-13! i wouldnt have been able 2 see it if it was r. THANK U!

I don't know if anyone will read this but the first time I saw RENT on B'WAY I was sixteen and had suffered a loss. In an act of bonding my best friend and I waited from 6am on, in the rush ticket line. We got in and sat right in the front row. We laughed and cried and hugged throughout the whole show. During "Without You" my friend turned to me and said "this is how I feel about you". By the finale we were closer to healing over the loss we had both experienced and closer to each other than ever. After the show Jesse Martin came out from backstage with that huge beautiful smile of his and hugged me and said that my friend and I had touched his heart. That show was such a beautiful experience for me and I want to thank you. Thank you for not cutting it to shreds. Thank you for using most of the original cast and thank you for casting Mimi and Joanne with actors I trust to do justice to the material. Thank you for allowing that experience to lead into what I'm sure will be another beautiful experience, full of passion, healing and love.

i've been hearing rumors that the l.a./nyc nov 11 release isn't happening any more. it's not true, is it? i mean, it is coming to l.a. the 11th, right? i already have my pilgrimage planned.

That news made my day. A PG-13 rating means more people will be able to understand the incredibleness of this movie and this message. Also, now I can go see it whenever and with whoever I want! Yes! Wow, that is awesome. Thank you for this movie, from the bottom of my heart.

Thanks for not destroying the show. We're all so happy that the movie's so near.

hey there,
I just wanted to thank you for staying true to Mr. Larson's vision it means the world to us "rentheads". I can not wait to see the movie (only 65,210.18 minutes tuntil rent it due).
All my love,
Lauren (but my friends call me mimi)

Chris, You have brought one of the greatest broadway shows to life in a way i never could have imagined. I want to give a big heart felt thanks, and I hope to see you at the movies.

omg, this is the best thing that could ever happen. congrats because this will be remembered as the best stage-to-screen adaption ever.

loooooooooove
bri (aka maureen in 2010)

hey christy - i read that the movie is not opening on 11.11 anywhere anymore. 11.23 is the date!!

I love the rent cd!. me and my friend love the song tango: maureen. and were going to see the movie the first day it comes out.
thanks chris!!!

Jesse's right - you the man!

you are a genious!
thank you so much
i ahve been posting on like idina, and anthony, and adams blog so much, but then i realized that none of this would be possibe without you. so thanks for making it happen

Brilliant, from the UK and sick that it's not out here until next February, why do we have to wait so long? Ordered the soundtrack on import though :-)

Wow! For once the MPAA is ACTUALLY being generous! I think I'll have a heart attack and die! Can't wait to see the film.

~MarK~

I just want to say that words can not express the excitement I have over the movie coming out! I first fell in love with the original soundtrack of RENT when I was 17, back in the winter of 1998, after I had moved to city on my own. I related most of the story line to my own life, but I never was able to see the musical when it came to Houston. Just 2 weeks ago (7 years later after falling in love with the soundtrack) I made it to new york city and was able to see RENT in the very front row!!! MY ULTIMATE DREAM HAD COME TRUE! I COULNDT STOP CRYING (of happiness) from beginning to end! I coulndt believe I was there! Now the movie is coming out just in time for the hollidays! What a year! Chris, you are the best, man!!! Thank you guys!

Oooo I can't wait for the movie to come out!
Ever since I heard my first Rent song I knew I wanted to be in musicals (lol, not there yet, but come back to me in three years.. it was Light My Fire, btw.), but I've never been to NY (yes I'm saving :p) so never really caught the whole story..
I don't know if it's been said yet, but does anyone know anything about the European release? I live in the Netherlands and am already freaked out, I wanna see it soooo bad!!

(and that's great mr Columbus, finally a musical-turns-movie that hasn't been cropped to fit!!)

xx Kellie

And good for you Cameron!!

I just want to tell everyone involved with the movie that this musical is what caused me to become involved in the arts and the art community, and I am now a freshman in college pursuing my dreams. I saw the musical in the 8th grade, and it was the first live performance I had ever seen. Until then, I grew up in the midwest, where I was brought up with the Sound of Music as the only definition of "musicals". When I saw RENT, my life changed and did a 180. I am now a completely different person and much happier because of it. The message that RENT sends to the world is one that is needed now, more than ever in our world. I just hope that all the newcomers to the world of RENT can appreciate its beauty and vision and the message can spread as far as the eye can see. Thank you so much.

I'm counting the days till the release. I was lucky enough to see the original cast on Broadway and it was a life changing experience. I'm just a small town girl with dreams of the stage and no real way of pursuing them. Instead I am a teacher at a local Christian school and I spend a lot of time trying to teach tolerence and a love of the arts. This is really tough. This cast has such an amazing stage pressence and ability to connect with the audience. You guys are great.

Holy cow! So excited here! I can't wait until this movie comes out, I've been a die hard musical fanatic since the age of 3 and I absolutely LOVE RENT!!!! I've followed everyone's carreer since the origional and am looking forward to what each person puts out in the future in the theatre community. This movie's gonna rock the house!!!!

When I first watched this, I started dancing like a lunatic and singing "It's PG-13!" because if it was R, my parents would NEVER let me watch it, believe me. Thank you so much for keeping this movie true to the original play. Jon would probably be proud. BTW, Jesse, love that little cameo! I love all of the people who made this movie possible! November 23 seems so far away. Ah well. Lots of love.

Chris~~
You did it. RENT looks as incredible as ever! Congrats on finishing it. My birthday is on thansgiving [the 24th] this year so the movie will be one of the best presents I will ever recieve in my life!!! Thanks so much for letting those of us not so close to NY be able to see RENT as often as we wish as well as immortalizing Jonathan's work/message. I was wondering what you are going to do with the DVD now that the movie is finished in Post? Is there an extended director's cut in store or, just as amazing, a cast commentary [one can only hope and pray; the commentaries are always my favorite]? Any special features just as kick-ass as the movie itself? Thanks again for your dedication to this project, i know so many people waiting to experience RENT for their first time as well as us returning RENTheads. So much love!!!!

Bree

I just saw the movie RENT at a screening in Sherman Oaks. Oh My God. Columbus did a great job in turning the Broadway Musical into a film. I loved it! He opened it up from the stage version, yet he still created an intimate world that this family shares. Wow. I gonna actually pay to see it again. All you Rentheads will NOT be disappointed. Love, love, loved it.

I saw the movie last night at a special screening and it was AMAZING! Your choices were impeccable and the additions to the story only brought more to each of the characters. Well done....thank you for working so hard to stay true to the vision. Loved the riot....loved it all....

I can't wait to see the movie!! Thank you so much!!

I cannot wait to see the movie. My friends and I were all going to get together on the 11th to see it in L.A. so, I'm a little bummed about that not happening anymore. Still, I can't beleive it's almost here. I'm a little bit of a "renthead" I guess even though I have yet to see the play. I fell in love with the soundtrack and the story and have been counting down the days until the movie comes out ever since I found out one was coming out. I'm so glad it's PG-13, otherwise my mother wouldn't let me see it. When my friend found out she said, "There is a God, and he loves you." I'm really glad that you were able to direct it. I'm not too sure about Baz Luhrmann, I couldn't stand his version of Romeo and Juliet. I'm a fan of other works of yours so, I was also really glad to see you directing because I knew you'd do a great job. It would have been really ironic if Spike Lee directed it though...
Ah! I can't wait. Thank you so much for doing this!

Chris, Chris, Chris...

...May I just say, I worship you? It's like, you know me. You've put two of my obsessions onto the big screen, one of which you stayed very true to and I thank you for that, the other, I haven't seen yet, but I'm sure you'll do the same. (Harry Potter and Rent) The two things that just make me ecstatic and bring out the hyper-active little girl in me, couldn't have been done without you (well, they could have, but we all saw how many problems people had with Harry Potter 3 hehe) and I thank you so much.

Thank you for remaining faithful, thank you for accepting, just thank you so much.

I am eternally grateful.

Briana