"Hairspray" Star, Blonsky, Lines Up Next Film with Teen Comedy "Harold"

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 1:32pm

Nikki Blonsky — who plays Tracy Turnblad in the new "Hairspray" film — has been cast in the teen comedy "Harold," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Ally Sheedy and Colin Quinn have also joined the cast that includes Spencer Breslin and Cuba Gooding Jr. T. Sean Shannon directs from a script he penned with Greg Fields.

"I read a bunch of scripts after 'Hairspray,' but this was really funny and had so much life in it," Blonsky told the publication. "I'm playing an outcast again, but not necessarily because of the whole 'plus size' thing. It's because my character marches to the beat of her own drummer."

Blonsky — who made her debut in the movie musical "Hairspray" — will play the nerdy best friend of the title teen (Breslin), who happens to be balding. Sheedy will play the mother of the boy who befriends the school janitor (Gooding, Jr.).

Filming has already begun on the project in Blonsky's hometown of Great Neck, NY. The film is slated for a 2008 release.

Sheedy, last seen Off-Broadway in The Triple Happiness, also appeared onstage as the first female star of the musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch as well as in The Exonerated and Advice From A Caterpillar. The actress is known for her film work in "The Breakfast Club," "St. Elmo's Fire," "Short Circuit," "High Art" and "War Games," among others.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 1:36pm

More Info HERE from the Hollywood Reporter.

[mateo]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 1:38pm

I just posted this on your own earlier thread-

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=942316&id=3200808

[Ivan the Wonderful]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 1:40pm

I am sory. I did not see this thread.
Good for her. All star cast, Oscar winner Gooding! I think this will be a huge hit.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 1:45pm

Yeah, no.

Just...no.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 1:46pm

"Oscar winner Gooding!"

Um, have you seen his film choices since winning the Oscar?

Daddy Day Care II?

Need I say more?

[JP2]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 1:54pm

Poor Nikki. Lets home this is a good movie.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 1:59pm

What is she thinking? Take the first thing that comes along? Every one of those "stars" is poison.

[Christy323]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 2:00pm

Oh man, I sincerely hope this movie will be good. But the actors named thus far make me nervous......

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 2:01pm

It sounds cute.
Plus, she's very talented.

[Anakela]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 3:10pm

Um, have you seen his film choices since winning the Oscar?

Daddy Day Care II?

Need I say more?

oh you didn't even need to go that far- you could've stopped at Boat Trip. :) I seriously didn't realize that it was still considered to be a good thing to be in a film with Gooding Jr.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 3:12pm

Did y'all think he was good in SNOW DOGS?

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 3:14pm

The better question is, did anyone think SNOW DOGS was good?

[B3TA07]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 3:17pm

Thanks.


I had hoped to continue the rest of my life without remembering "Snow Dogs."

[Anakela]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 3:22pm

Snow Dogs: The Musical!

[Virgo]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 5:18pm

"quote"What is she thinking? Take the first thing that comes along? Every one of those "stars" is poison."

Did you read what she said in the article? She said that she's received lots of scripts and she took this one because it seemed like it's the most fun. So that doesn't sound like she took the first thing that came along.

As far as what is she thinking? I'm thinking she might be thinking, I'm 18 and I'm building a resume outside of "Hairspray". What's the point in her waiting and waiting for another project? This move will be shot and over and she'll be working on her third and her resume will be that much more longer.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 7/31/07 at 5:57pm

Oh, Virgo, such a little innocent.

She said that she's received lots of scripts and she took this one because it seemed like it's the most fun.

This is called denial. She may have received "lots of scripts" but how many came with a firm offer? The rest is publicist-speak.


As far as what is she thinking? I'm thinking she might be thinking, I'm 18 and I'm building a resume outside of "Hairspray".

Who knows what she is really thinking, but it might be "I had better take the money while the iron is hot. No matter what."

What's the point in her waiting and waiting for another project?

She might want to wait until the Hairspray press juggernaut has a chance to work it's magic. With the sort of reviews she is getting and the great BO it would not be long before some major offers would come her way and she wouldn't have to settle for what looks like the next direct to DVD comedy that will be in the bargain bins in a month.

This move will be shot and over and she'll be working on her third and her resume will be that much more longer.

You know some actors have resumes longer than Meryl Streeps that couldn't get cast in a bus and truck of Cats. It is what is ON the resume not how long it is.

I wish her the best of luck and hope she does the smart thing.

[DannyZuko]

Posted: 8/2/07 at 3:17am

Cuba was terrific in The Fighting Temptations.