After years of rejecting offers to turn their hit 1970s show, "Welcome Back, Kotter" into a feature film, the show’s creators have accepted a bid by Dimension Films, with rapper-turned-actor Ice Cube in the starring role.
Alan Sacks and Gabe Kaplan (the original Kotter) had been hesitant to adapt "Kotter" until meeting with Weinstein Co. heads Bob and Harvey Weinstein. "Welcome Back, Kotter" ran from 1975 – 1979 and told the story of a teacher who returns to his inner-city high school and bonds with his class of remedial students, known as the "Sweathogs." The original Sweathogs most notably included a young John Travolta as Vinnie Barbarino.
From Variety: "Dimension head of production Richard Saperstein will shepherd "Kotter" with senior veepveep Matthew Stein and director of development Alex Franklin. The film will be played for laughs, with a tone comparable to "School of Rock.""
