What could be better than seeing John Travolta in drag in next year’s 60s-era musical, "Hairspray"?? Seeing Christopher Walken hoof his way through the pic, as none other than Wilbur Turnblad, Travolta’s on-screen hubby.
While earlier reports named Brit actor Jim Broadbent to play the same role in Adam Shankman‘s version of John Waters‘ 1988 comedy musical (which was later turned into a Broadway show), Variety reports that Walken will instead play the father of 1960s plump dancing teenager, Tracy Turnblad.
Also on hand for "Hairspray" Redux will be Travolta (in the gender-bending role of Tracy’s mom, Edna), Michelle Pfeiffer (as evil stage mom, Velma von Tussel), and Queen Latifah (as local party queen, Motormouth Maybelle).
The teen roles will be fleshed out by Amanda Bynes (as Tracy’s best friend, Penny), Brittany Snow (as mean girl Amber von Tussel), Zac Efron (as love interest Link Larkin) and in her first screen role, newcomer Nicole Blonsky (as Tracy Turnblad).
Original songwriters Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman will write some new tracks for the "Hairspray" soundtrack. Shooting is expected to begin next month, and New Line is aiming for a summer 2007 release.
For fans of the classic John Waters 1988 version of "Hairspray," here’s a cast comparison:
Tracy Turnblad: Nicole Blonsky vs. Ricki Lake
Edna Turnblad: John Travolta vs. Divine
Wilbur Turnblad: Christopher Walken vs. Jerry Stiller
Motormouth Maybelle: Queen Latifah vs. Ruth Brown
Corny Collins: James Marsden vs. Shawn Thompson
Penny Pingleton: Amanda Bynes vs. Leslie Ann Powers
Link Larkin: Zac Efron vs. Michael St. Gerard
Amber von Tussle: Brittany Snow vs. Colleen Fitzpatrick (AKA Vitamin C)
Velma von Tussle: Michelle Pfeiffer vs. Debbie Harry
Franklin von Tussle: ??? vs. Sonny Bono
Beatnik Cats: ??? vs. Rick Ocasek & Pia Zadora
