Tom Francis to leave Sunset Boulevard in New York, Pierre Marais to take over

The producers of Sunset Boulevard on Broadway have made a further, last-minute cast change in the final weeks of the show’s run at the St James Theatre in New York.

A few weeks ago it was announced that British star and Olivier Award winner David Thaxton, who played Max von Mayerling in Sunset Boulevard, would be leaving the show on 8 June 2025. Thaxton has been with the musical since rehearsals started in August 2023.

It was announced today that Tony nominee and Olivier Award winner Tom Francis, who plays Joe Gillis in the musical, is also leaving the run early, on 6 July 2025.

From 8 July, the role of Joe Gillis will be played by Pierre Marais (Aladdin), who currently plays the role of Sammy and understudies the role of Joe Gillis in Sunset Boulevard.

Tom Francis is departing the show early due to a “previously announced professional commitment”. There’s no further news on what the commitment might be.

David Thaxton left the show on 8 June, and has been replaced by Jordan Donica (The Phantom of the Opera) as Max since 10 June 2025.

Director Jamie Lloyd said in a statement: “It has been an honor to see Tom transform into a true Broadway leading man. He and Nicole have led this Broadway company with humor, compassion, and love. I’m thrilled to see what is next for his remarkable career and I’m honored to have played a small part in introducing him to New York audiences. As we say ‘Happy Trails’ to Tom, I’m delighted that Pierre will be playing the role for our final weeks at the St. James.”

Tom Francis said: “It has been a literal dream come true to make my Broadway debut in Jamie’s production of Sunset Blvd. Two years ago, when the idea of being in the show was first discussed, I was just excited to be considered and never expected the wild ride I’ve been on. I’m gutted I’m not able to be there for our final performance on July 20, but I send big love to Nicole, Grace, Jordan, and the entire company. And to my dear friend Pierre, I leave the St. James Theatre, 44th Street, and Shubert Alley in your extremely talented hands.”

Sunset Boulevard continues with Tony Award and Olivier Award winner Nicole Scherzinger as Norma Desmond, and Olivier Award nominee Grace Hodgett Young as Betty Schaefer.

The show finishes up at the St. James Theatre on 20 July 2025, after extending a number of times.

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Jamie Lloyd’s reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical, which is based on the classic Paramount Pictures film directed by Billy Wilder, also features a creative team of Soutra Gilmour (set and costume design), Fabian Aloise (choreography), Alan Williams (music supervisor and music director), 2025 Tony Award nominee Jack Knowles (lighting design), 2025 Tony Award nominee Adam Fisher (sound design), Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom (video design and cinematography), Cheryl Thomas (hair and makeup design), Ann James (intimacy coordinator), Jim Carnahan CSA and Jason Thinger CSA (U.S. casting director), and Stuart Burt CDG (U.K. casting director).

Sunset Boulevard is produced by The Jamie Lloyd Company, ATG Productions, Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals, and Gavin Kalin Productions by arrangement with The Really Useful Group Ltd.

Jamie Lloyd’s latest production is another Andrew Lloyd Webber reimagining, this time Evita starring Rachel Zegler, which is now playing at the London Palladium.

Will Sunset Blvd. be filmed?

There is also much speculation in New York and London that a pro-shot live recording of Sunset Boulevard may take place soon, for cinema and TV distribution after the show has completed its run in New York. Both Andrew Lloyd Webber and Nicole Scherzinger have hinted in past interviews that a filmed version of Jamie Lloyd’s hit musical may be on the cards.

Some theatre fans have speculated that the show may return to London for a short time to be filmed. Hadestown producers recently flew over the original cast of the show from America for a short run at the Lyric Theatre in London, to allow the show to be filmed live for future release.

There are no current updates on whether a filmed version of Sunset Boulevard is on the cards.

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Main photo: Sunset Boulevard - Tom Francis. Production photo by Marc Brenner