"Hairspray" film cast

[jimmirae]

"Hairspray" film cast#0

Posted: 1/29/06 at 12:25am

I had just read (I'll find the source again and post it) the roles that were already cast in the film. Travolta, as we all knew, Crystal, Meryl Streep as Velma, Queen Latifah as Motormouth Maybelle and they are still looking for the others, I believe there is an open call in Canada. Still seems no Tracey, Penny, Seaweed or Lil Inez - I think they cast Link but I don't recall who. I'll check it again and post the link (no pun intended, LOL!)

"It is bad enough that people are dying of AIDS, but no one should die of ignorance." - Elizabeth Taylor

[Swiftynifty15]

re: 'Hairspray' film cast#1

Posted: 1/29/06 at 12:39am

So it is official?

[DramaDork925]

re: 'Hairspray' film cast#2

Posted: 1/29/06 at 12:42am

There are open calls in NY, Atlanta and Chicago

Am I cut out to spend my time this way?

[Fosse76]

re: 'Hairspray' film cast#3

Posted: 1/29/06 at 12:53am

As far as I know, NO ONE has been officially cast.

[dancingthrulife04]

re: 'Hairspray' film cast#4

Posted: 1/29/06 at 1:03am

Is Penny included in the open auditions?

http://www.beintheheights.com/katnicole1 (Please click and help me win!) I chose, and my world was shaken- So what?
The choice may have been mistaken, The choosing was not... "Every day has the potential to be the greatest day of your life." - Lin-Manuel Miranda "And when Idina Menzel is singing, I'm always slightly worried that her teeth are going to jump out of her mouth and chase me." - Schmerg_the_Impaler

[jimmirae]

re: 'Hairspray' film cast#5

Posted: 1/29/06 at 1:09am

I cannot seem to find the article I had read just now, But Penny was still being cast it said. I found this other bit here - however, the one I am still looking for sure sounded definative. You can check this one out and I'll keep looking for the other.
http://www.hollywood.com/movies/fulldetail/id/3464464

"It is bad enough that people are dying of AIDS, but no one should die of ignorance." - Elizabeth Taylor

[DramaDork925]

re: 'Hairspray' film cast#6

Posted: 1/29/06 at 1:09am

No, just Tracy, Little Inez and Seaweed.

Am I cut out to spend my time this way?

[respeck]

re: 'Hairspray' film cast#7

Posted: 1/29/06 at 1:14am

Meryl Streep? You have to be kidding.

[jimmirae]

re: 'Hairspray' film cast#8

Posted: 1/29/06 at 1:31am

I had the same initial reaction but it could be worse, Glenn Close you know?

"It is bad enough that people are dying of AIDS, but no one should die of ignorance." - Elizabeth Taylor

[NYC4Life]

re: 'Hairspray' film cast#9

Posted: 1/29/06 at 1:40am

Meryl Streep is a great singer and actress. Whats the problem?

[respeck]

re: 'Hairspray' film cast#10

Posted: 1/29/06 at 1:52am

It just seems unlike her to take that role. Don't get me wrong she can do anything, but it seemed an odd choice for a cream of the crop actress to take a role originated by Debbie Harry.
Updated On: 1/29/06 at 01:52 AM

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

re: 'Hairspray' film cast#11

Posted: 1/29/06 at 2:21am

Hopefully they are looking for a Link that's from Toronto where they are filming....

Akiva

[jimmirae]

re: 'Hairspray' film cast#12

Posted: 1/29/06 at 4:56am

Regarding Meryl, I simply didn't think she would desire that role - like perhaps a tad too small for her? I dunno, Just struck me awkward. She can sing! (And Act, maybe dance too - wouldn't doubt it!)

"It is bad enough that people are dying of AIDS, but no one should die of ignorance." - Elizabeth Taylor

[Wanna Be A Foster]

re: 'Hairspray' film cast#13

Posted: 1/29/06 at 5:41am

OK jimmirae, look for the other article you're referring to. The link you posted here lists Harvey Fierstein AND John Travolta (huh?), Marissa Jaret Winokur is listed also. Post a reliable source then we can speak further.

"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad

"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)

Updated On: 1/29/06 at 05:41 AM

[somethingwicked]

re: 'Hairspray' film cast#14

Posted: 1/29/06 at 10:51am

The only substantial names are the ones listed by Variety in the beginning, which are John Travolta (Edna,) Billy Crystal (Wlibur,) and Queen Latifah (Motormouth Maybelle.) These same three names came up again with the announcement of the casting call, but even so, they still aren't confirmed.

Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.

Updated On: 1/29/06 at 10:51 AM

[Ruprecht2]

re: 'Hairspray' film cast#15

Posted: 1/29/06 at 12:11pm

I DO NOT LIKE HOW JOHN TRAVOLTA IS BEING EDNA! UGH! IT DOESN'T WORK IN MY OPINION! HE'S NOT... EDNA! IT SHOULD BE HARVEY!! AHHHHHH I DONT' LIKE IT! RAHHHHH!!!!!

[Playbill9117]

re: 'Hairspray' film cast#16

Posted: 1/29/06 at 12:31pm

Calm Down, Charlie Brown.
Travolta (although not my favorite choice) is a very versatile and talented actor. Besides, he did play Barbara Sriesand on SNL once! It probably won't be all bad. We can't do anything about it anyway.

[popcultureboy]

re: 'Hairspray' film cast#17

Posted: 1/29/06 at 12:35pm

Meryl Streep is actually a pretty inspired choice for Velma. She's really displayed a great comic sensibility of late (more than making up for Death Becomes Her). I think she'd be fantastic.

Nothing precious, plain to see, don't make a fuss over me. Not loud, not soft, but somewhere inbetween. Say sorry, just let it be the word you mean.

[way_to_spend_the_day]

re: 'Hairspray' film cast#18

Posted: 1/29/06 at 12:35pm

If you've got Queen Latifah and Billy Crystal, you DO NOT need John Travolta because you already have the star quality! Harvey won a tony for the role and has done movies and would be so great in this movie. John Travolta's last movie didn't even do that well, did it? Is anyone else having trouble picturing Billy and John together during Timeless to Me? It just seems so akward. John seems like such a weird choice. He can play corney or something, but please not Edna!!!

***It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves. -- William Shakespeare***

[greenegirl87]

re: 'Hairspray' film cast#19

Posted: 1/29/06 at 12:38pm

"Besides, he did play Barbara Sriesand on SNL once! "

I can't tell you how much I laughed when I read that! Obviously, if he can do Streisand he's going to be a fabulous Edna.

On a more serious note, I am kind of excited about Travolta, as interesting as some of the parts he plays are, I think he is very talented and will be excited to see him do some of the things he did in his "younger" days again.

"But now the air is filled with confusion. We replace care with illusion."

[bwayondabrain]

re: 'Hairspray' film cast#20

Posted: 1/29/06 at 12:40pm

so, that article IS official?
pretty cool!
but why are marissa and harvey still listed. are they having cameos?

[Playbill9117]

re: 'Hairspray' film cast#21

Posted: 1/29/06 at 12:41pm

You all seem to forget that even if the film's producers felt a need to even consider our opinions, Harvey will be in Vegas doing Hairspray for the next three months. Sorry folks, his dance card is full.

[popcultureboy]

re: 'Hairspray' film cast#22

Posted: 1/29/06 at 12:42pm

John Travolta's last movie didn't even do that well, did it?

He hasn't really had a well received movie in almost six years now. Be Cool wasn't a disaster but it wasn't a runaway success either.

Nothing precious, plain to see, don't make a fuss over me. Not loud, not soft, but somewhere inbetween. Say sorry, just let it be the word you mean.

[ShuQ]

re: 'Hairspray' film cast#23

Posted: 1/29/06 at 12:50pm

Regardless of how successful his movies have been...people know and love him and are going to want to see him...especially in this.

[jasonf]

re: 'Hairspray' film cast#24

Posted: 1/29/06 at 2:12pm

I'll tell you what -- if Harvey Fierstein was cast I most likely wouldn't bother going to the movie. I don't understand the appeal of a man who simply CANNOT sing in musicals. Yes, he can write. Yes, he can be funny. No amount of argument is going to convince me that he can sing - or that his "unique" voice works in character. That's absurd. Not that American Idol is the height of singing quality, but can you IMAGINE what the judges would have said if he walked into the room and auditioned???

Travolta can sing. We know that. Travolta can dance. We know that. Travolta is a NAME which is going to be needed for that role, regardless of who else is in the movie. I think this is great casting.

Definitely beats Depp as Sweeney Todd (I still hope I was dreaming that one).

Hi, Shirley Temple Pudding.