Billy Crystal Playing Wilbur Turnblad in Hairspray Movie?

[Fan2]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 6:48am

Billy and Travolta???

http://www.moviehole.net/news/5191.html

[LouieLovesTheater]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 8:53am

PLUS Aretha Franklin as Motormouth...that's a good choice, I think.

As for Crystal...not so sure about that.

[PennyLou]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 10:00am

I'm not even reading the artical (I should be doing work in my clas right now) but I think that Bill Crystal would be great at Wilber! But I'm a big fan of he's hes a funny guy!

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 10:20am

He would do a great job!

[Corine2]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 10:39am

Billy is a great choice. I love him. Still would prefer Robin Williams if they are not choosing Harvey.
Robin Williams would make a much better Edna then Travolta.
I just can't see Travolta as Edna.
Aretha is a great casting choice. I love her.
She gets my R-E-S-P-E-C-T!
Updated On: 3/8/05 at 10:39 AM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 11:27am

I think it's great that they are getting a real "A-List" cast for this! Obviously they are spending some cash to make this a MAJOR film!

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 11:30am

"Robin Williams would make a much better Edna then Travolta."

You speak with such authority Corine, but you don't really know this. Do you?

[Princeton78]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 11:41am

I'm in love with Crystal playing Wilbur.
As for Edna..my heart is with Harvey...but I'd rather see Williams than Travolta.
I had a great idea for Penny and Seaweed too...but it has slipped my mind.
Matt_G...do you remember what that idea was?

[timote316]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 11:55am

Aretha is a great choice for Motormouth. I think Billy is a good choice too.

[Corine2]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 12:12pm

Thanks Princeton!

I want Harvey in the role. He is the best Edna. No Namo, Travolta could surprise me. I think he is a fine actor. I just can't see the hot stud as Edna.
I had such a crush on Travolta when he was in Grease. He would make a better Corny Collins.
Just my two cents.
PS Robin Williams is one of the funniest men on this planet. I REALLY THINK HE WOULD BE HILARIOUS AS EDNA. Updated On: 3/8/05 at 12:12 PM

[B.B. Wolf]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 12:25pm

Aretha IS Motormouth. Inspired casting.
Billy would be wonderful as Wilbur. "You're Timeless" would translate wonderfully to the screen in his hands.

As for Travolta, honestly, the more I think about it the more I like. When I first heard about him, my kneejerk response was WTF?!? But, if he packed on the pounds he's always fighting to keep off AND channelled a little "Vinnie Barbarino in female form", it just might work. Still, I can't help but wish Harvey would get a shot at it. That role is so inextricably linked with Harvey's voice in my head.

But I hope Marc doesn't get too wrapped up in the production. He's gotta get back to writing Catch Me If You Can for me to star in. Heh.

[Corine2]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 12:37pm

Vinnie Barbarino as a Jewish laundress?
Calgon take me away!

[WISHIHADATONY]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 1:44pm

how awesome this will be.......this film of HAIRSPRAY is getting more exciting by the day!

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 11:03pm

I love Harvey. I would love to see him in the Hairspray movie.

But Corine, you don't speak with any real knowledge of whether or not Travolta can play the role. I assume you never saw him as a Barbra Streisand ("Barbra 'Joan' Streisand") impersonator on Coffee Talk with Linda Richmond. I can assure you, he can play a very realistic Jewess. And it is absolutely no more outlandish an idea than many of the things you've asked me to believe over the years.

If you'd like, I'll list 'em!

[Corine2]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 11:14pm

I saw that skit with Travolta. It was funny. I just see him as Corny. I would rather Harvey as Edna.
Namo, no one can do it like Harvey. Not even Vilanch and I love Vilanch.
Charles Busch would be an excellent choice. But Harvey is EDNA. Updated On: 3/8/05 at 11:14 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 11:29pm

A 55 year old Corny Collins? Okay, what ev. You're the expert, you can't see it, so you'll start a fax campaign because of your narrow vision.

Theeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee sun'll come out... tomorrow....

[bjivie2]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 11:34pm

Wow, I think I'm the only one that's not head-over-heels for Aretha. Yeah, she can sing it, but I'm not sure if she's got the attitude for it. I would much rather see Patti Labelle do it.

As for Billy Crystal, I think he would be fabulous.

As for John Travolta, I think he'd be fine, but if he WAS cast, this would turn into another "Hello, Dolly" or "Gypsy" where we look back 30 years in the future wishing we had the original on screen instead of the "star".

Speaking of Charles Busch, why don't they do a revival of Ruthless with him? Talk about inspired casting.

[Corine2]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 11:35pm

Who would you rather play Edna? Harvey Fierstein or Travolta?
I think Travolta would be an amazing Miss Baltimore Crabs.
So he will go on a diet.

And Robin Williams would be a hysterical Edna.
Namo. He would be hilarious.
BJ- He is bringing back Vampire Lesbians Of Sodom, that is the most exciting news in the universe. Updated On: 3/8/05 at 11:35 PM

[bjivie2]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 11:38pm

I would be afraid that he would pull out too many "Robin Williamisms"

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 11:38pm

For the 3-thousandth time Corine, it's Miss Baltimore Crabs. You, of all people, should know there's a big difference between a Miss and a Mrs. Christ, for such a supposed "fan" of the show it's amazing that you don't seem to know all that much about it.

[bjivie2]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 11:41pm

I don't know much about Vampire Lesbians. Is it a good Halloween show? Sounds like it might be. I'm planning an upcoming season and I need a show that works in October.

I don't get your quote, Namo.

[bjivie2]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 11:41pm

Double post. Sorry.

Updated On: 3/8/05 at 11:41 PM

[Corine2]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 11:42pm

That's what would make it funny.
I think Williams is perhaps the funniest actor on the planet.
I have never seen him mess up in anything he ever did.
He is funny, touching, warm, zany and he would change Edna. I love Harvey as Edna but if there had to be a huge star power then Williams would be that man.
Williams is a legend as is Harvey.
PS Namo- Chill baby. I am very tired. Not used to the long hours. Updated On: 3/8/05 at 11:42 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 11:46pm

Don't blame fatigue, honey, you've been writing Mrs. Baltimore Crabs since you got on this whole kick of yours. If only your close, personal, time-travelling pal Josh Mostel were around to massage your feet.

[Corine2]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 11:52pm

Namo-
Josh and I grew up in the same building many years ago.
And we were friendly. I really don't care what you think.