 Rob Marshall (qv) was originally considered by Miramax to direct  the screen version of the smash Broadway play "Rent". When he  arrived for his interview, he told Miramax he wanted to talk about  "Chicago" instead and proposed the "musical in Roxies mind"  concept. Miramax loved the idea and put "Rent" on the back burner,  finally making _Rent (2005)_ (qv) three years later.