“Euphoria” 2009?
Not exactly.
“Glee” creator Ryan Murphy divulged a few secrets about his late 2000s Fox musical series — and how it was much darker in tone than the pop series viewers actually saw.
The “Nip/Tuck” producer, 56, recently appeared on “Glee” stars Kevin McHale and Jenna Ushkowitz’s new iHeart podcast, “And That’s What You REALLY Missed,” and discussed what the show was originally supposed to look like.
Murphy said he came upon the script that would later be turned into the pilot for “Glee” in an unusual setting.
“Like serendipity, I went to the gym, and I was in a towel, and a guy went up and handed me a script, and he said, ‘I had a feeling you were in show choir, am I right?’ And I was like ‘Yeah,’ ” Murphy said. “And he said, ‘My friend wrote this script, and you should read it.’ “
Cory Monteith (left) and Matthew Morrison in a 2013 episode of “Glee.” FOX Image Collection via Getty ImagesThe friend turned out to be “Glee” co-creator Ian Brennan, who also wrote and directed several episodes of the show.
However, Brennan’s first draft of the script apparently was not “pop-y,” and Murphy said it was too dark and too deep.
Murphy said there was a plot line about drugs, not unlike “Euphoria,” HBO’s R-rated teen drama full of drug-addicted high schoolers, sexual escapades and violence.
Murphy noted how the lead character, Mr. William “Schue” Schuester — played by Matthew Morrison — was initially intended to be a crystal-meth addict who touched his students inappropriately.
“Glee” creator Ryan Murphy opened up about creating the Fox musical series. NBCUniversal via Getty ImagesAs fans know, Morrison’s character ended up being a Spanish teacher who forms a show choir in his school and has some very questionable dance moves.
“The NC-17 version of show choir with a weird protagonist who was unraveling,” Murphy said.
The prototype screenplay was later edited and retooled and became the series that fans love.
Pop star Justin Timberlake was a top choice to appear in “Glee.” FilmMagicThe “Running With Scissors” director also revealed that he had Justin Timberlake in mind for Mr. Schuester.
“When we were writing the pilot — I’ve never really talked about this — that pilot was written for Justin Timberlake,” Murphy said. “Mr. Schue was written for Justin.”
“Glee” aired from 2009 until 2015, and while it became a pop-culture staple throughout its run, it was marred with contention and a so-called “Glee curse.”
Several cast members from the show such as Naya Rivera, Mark Salling and Cory Monteith have died, while actors including Lea Michele and Blake Jenner have had run-ins with controversy.
