Harvey in HAIRSPRAY movie?

[cubanpab]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 4:17am

I wont even tell you what I think about John Travolta playing Edna in the HAIRSPRAY Movie-Musical.... *shudders*... anyhow. Out of curiosity, I was wondering if anyone knew if Harvey was even asked to be in this film? Did he turn it down? Or was he never asked?

[leeinlondon]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 4:46am

My guess is that the studio insisted on a "name" to lead the film in return for their investment..

but why not just ask Marc Shaiman here or on talkinbroadway. Marc seems to be very honest in his comments for example last week he set the record straight on ATC that neither Jim Broadbent nor Billy Chrystal had signed for the film and left there were just initial discussions.

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 9:49am

Haven't all the films that Travolta has starred in in recent years been box office failures? If they insisted on a name, wouldn't they have done wiser to actually get a name that means something now?

I might see the movie when it comes out, but right now,mainly because of the casting, I couldn't care less about it - and I love the show and the original movie.

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 9:57am

As much as I loathe John Travolta and think he is my least favorite actor cast, he will do just fine. To be fair, no one has seen him in drag, and Harvey was cool but never a Divine. Plus for some strange reason people love to see Travolta sing and dance (Grease, Saturday Night Fever, Pulp Fiction). Who could be Divine? As far as box-office draw, this movie is has so many stars it's bound to make some money.

I wish they would cast Tiffany Evans as Lil' Inez. I dunno if she is too old.

[ExpressThis]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 9:59am

wow john travolta?! he's getting pretty old too nowadays...

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 10:51am

Harvey has stated (in interviews and "fan encounters") that while he would have loved to do it, the film is a different entity than the stageplay and therefore was not offended he wasn't asked. He is, however, an uncredited writer of the show, thereby becoming a royalties recipient. He's making $$ either way.

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 10:57am

How many writers did they need? I didn't see much difference in the screenplay and the book. Most of it seems verbatim and if not it's changed to seg the songs.

Harvey is just not that famous. Movies are made to make money and I doubt very much his version would come close to what Travolta will do. It could be worse,,, Jason Alexander could star or Jack Black..hmmm Jack Black I hate him more than anyone,, but he might actually be the closest Divine ever.

[mateo]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 11:01am

I have always wanted to see Jack Black as Edna. he lacks the height- but could do it.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 11:04am

Harvey's an uncredited writer of the book of the musical, not the film's screenplay.

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 11:11am

I understand,, but I wonder how much did he actually add to the Bway book? Mehaan didn't add that much. Compare the two you will see.

It's so interesting there is a screenwrite for the film of a musical adapted from a film. So much of the dialouge from the orignal film is used in the show, and I'm sure in the movie. These are John Water's words, the new writers are just repositioning them and setting up the songs.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 11:14am

Having not seen the original Hairspray film in about 5 years, I've got no idea about the technical aspects....I'm assuming it's a few jokes here and there.

I did see John Waters walking through Times Square a few weeks ago, though. (Not that that matters!)

[mateo]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 11:14am

I think most orignal cast members of any show add and shape the finshed product.

This reminds me of the "Faith Dane Clause."

Faith Dane sued David Merrick to recieve royalties for her charicature of 'Mazeppa' in the original company of Gypsy. The whole ordeal led to this clause in the actors contract stating that' any stage business created by the actor in the course of production became the sole property of the production.'

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 11:21am

Mateo, that seems more like what Harvey may have added. I know he is a writer, but if he worked on this book why wouldn't it be credited? Mehan won the Tony for best book, and I've have always thought it was a cheat when someone adapts a screenplay like he did. It is verbatim in many many places. I know Mehan helped shape the show outside it's film scope, but the director did as well.

[philcrosby]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 11:28am

Many directors receive royalties as "creators" for just that reason. I believe Robbins was the first, Hal Prince does on all his works, and the other majors that followed do as well.

Anytime you see "Original Production Directed by ...." in a later production's credits, you can be sure there's a royalty involved as well.

[mateo]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 11:29am

I think its safe to say, a Broadway show is most definitly a collaborative effort.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 11:31am

"To be fair, no one has seen him in drag..."

Well, maybe not the general public but I wouldn't go so far as to say "no one".

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 11:31am

By that logic, are the estates of Lore Noto and Word Baker getting royalties from the Fantasticks revival?

[jimnysf]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 11:35am

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 11:41am

They have besmirched the good name of Hairspray by hiring John. I loved him in Grease. But he's a friggin' heterosexual! Harvey WAS Edna. I never saw him as Edna. I saw Bruce Vilanch. But the cast recording was enough to convince me that he WAS Edna. He was the only choice for Edna for the movie. The studio executives must have been smoking pot! This is bullcrap!

[jimnysf]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 11:44am

"But he's a friggin' heterosexual!" LOL! Your research is not so good.

[mateo]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 11:53am

Many of the men who have played or are playing Edna are straight.

I dont think being gay is a prerequisite

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 11:54am

I actually thought Harvey wasn't that integral to the show. Most of the time, his lines were inaudible and when he "sang" it was difficult to hear the lyric. What he did with Edna was bring more energy to what Divine had already laid out. I think fans of the original film were afraid they would make this role for a drag queen. I’m pretty sure Travolta can use his regular voice and pull off frustrated 60s house wife. I am excited about the odd chemistry with his husband Walken. I misssed Michael Mckeen in this performance, I imagine that is what Travolta will be doing.

I wish I was working on this picture. So much talent. We are very lucky to get Dreamgirls and now Hairspray getting the best possible treatments from Hollywood. I hope Sweeney gets this kind of respect.

[mateo]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 11:59am

I LOVED Mckean as Edna.

He has such a great voice.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 2:14pm

What do you mean verbatim from the original film? There are hardly any lines from the film that are in the stage show. The only one that I can even recall is at the beginning of the show when talking about Tracy's hairstyle and the First Lady.

Posted: 9/1/06 at 2:18pm

Harvey addreses this on his blog today.