That's why it's tough to hang on to big names for long. It takes stars away from the film and TV cameras for months. Losing a star has proved disastrous for one new production. They have to know their way around a stage. That's not good news for many movie darlings like Julia Roberts or Brad Pitt, who skipped theater on their way to fame, but it's a challenge that attracts others.
Real stars like to show their mettle.
Still, some stars haven't done theater for years. The likes of Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks and John Travolta last worked on a stage 20 or more years ago. Then there's the matter of choosing an appropriate vehicle. London is another favored destination for star turns. Critics tend to be more forgiving, and audiences not so demanding of sure-fire fare.