Jim Broadbent to play Wilbur in "Hairspray" movie

[renthead92]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 8:10am

I thought Billy Crystal was going to play this role, but nevermind. Here's a link to the artical:
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=15890

[Just_John]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 8:15am

That's upsetting.

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 8:33am

Jim's a very talented actor, but he's also pretty tall and a bit "chunky" himself. Part of the humor between Edna and Wilbur was their size difference. I'm sure Travolta (in full makeup and costume) will still "outsize" Mr. Broadbent, but it won't be the same as seeing this little (shorter, thinner) father next to big, ol' Edna T.

Physical issues aside, I think Jim will likely be great in the part.

EDIT: I could actually see Broadbent playing EDNA instead of Wilbur, the more I think about it.

What the hell happened to Billy Crystal?

Updated On: 8/7/06 at 08:33 AM

[HereNowhere]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 10:23am

I guess they are going for a big(ger)father + big(ger) mother = big(ger) daughter. Makes sense, but I agree with Just_John. This is upsetting. Billy Crystal was beyond perfect.

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 11:22am

I have just lost all respect for Jim Broadbent. He deserves better.

[Calvin]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 11:24am

Jim Broadbent survived "The Borrowers."

I'm happy to see him in anything.

[mateo]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 12:01pm

Jim is a wonderful actor/singer- I havent seen him lately but I dont think he is that big.

I just wonder about billy? Was he ever attached, did we just assume he was in it?

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 12:21pm

I have just lost all respect for Jim Broadbent. He deserves better.

If you just lost respect for this man because he took a job, I doubt he would have wanted your respect in the first place.

[mateo]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 12:22pm

well said.

[rose_pearl]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 12:40pm

Jim is fantastic! I loved him in Moulin Rouge. I think he'll do just fine.

Posted: 8/7/06 at 1:20pm

i think the size difference is important, maybe he will slim down for this role. its possible.

Scott Davidson currently understudies Edna, Wilbur & the male authority figure in Hairspray on Broadway and I felt it took away from the humor to see him play Wilbur because he too is an ample american... how and why would it even be an issue or concern if his wife had a similar build?

[sabrelady]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 1:21pm

I appreciate Broadbent as a performer. It will depend on the director and the DOP as to how they shoot them as to whether the height will be an issue @ all. ( personally I think not)

[scooter38432]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 1:35pm

I think it's a fine (yet not expected) choice.

It was wise on the producers' part. Now they can say "Starring Academy Award winner Jim Broadbent."

I'm sure that won't hurt.

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 2:04pm

Just to clarify, I wasn't specifically talking about Jim's weight. He's not THAT big, but apparently several of you think this was primarily what I meant by my comment.

He was PADDED for his role Moulin Rouge... but his weight does fluctuate a bit (and to hilarious effect in "Bullets Over Broadway").

He's pretty TALL too, and that's what I was thinking of even more that weight. According to IMDb.com he's almost 6'2". He’ll be much more of an even match physically for Travolta’s “Edna.”

EDIT: I have no doubt that he can play the part well, though.

Updated On: 8/7/06 at 02:04 PM

[rose_pearl]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 2:06pm

He's 6'2"?! Wow, I didn't think Travolta was that tall. But I guess with heels...I dunno.

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 2:08pm

disappointed here,,, this movie was/is really coming together. Travolta/Latifah are going to take home some big prizes.

[mateo]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 2:09pm

With heels/wig and overall girth I think Edna will be a much 'larger' figure opposite jim.

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 2:29pm

Travolta is 6'2" as well (again, according to IMDb.com). Broadbent is 6'1 1/2".

But I guess when you add heals and hair to Travolta, he will end up somewhere around 6'8" or 6'9".

Lordy. That's "Mount Edna!"

[thevolleyballer]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 2:37pm

I don't completely trust this article. Not that ComingSoon or Variety are not to be trusted, but it makes absolutely no mention of Billy Crystal whatsoever. When you've gone for months saying that Billy Crystal is in this show (..."Also starring John Travolta, Queen Latifah, Billy Crystal, Amanda Bynes..."), then suddenly say nothing, it just seems odd. And in Hollywood, where a rumor becomes truth after 24 hours, it's not too hard to believe that maybe Variety's got this wrong.

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 4:47pm

It isn't odd at all. I had never heard Billy was confirmed for the role. Ever.

Only that he was in negotiations to play it. That's NOT the same thing. A whole lotta stuff can happen during contract negotiations. Until the paper's signed and everything's worked out... it's not a "done deal."

[thevolleyballer]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 7:14pm

I knew he was in negotations forever, but I swear I can remember there being confirmation in, I want to say, a Broadway.com article or somewhere else. I'll go look. Otherwise, I've just been bested by b12b.

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 7:25pm

I thought I remembered hearing that Crystal himself confirmed it on Entertainment Tonight.

[WalkOn]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 7:41pm

Well the man can act. He may not be the obivious choice, but I'll be surprised if he doesn't give - at least- a respectable performance.

Posted: 8/7/06 at 8:34pm

Jim Broadbent is a brilliant actor who can pretty much play anything. I'm excited that he's doing it.

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 10:09pm

i'm all for broadbent doing it however i am rather amazed the if you go back through all the broadway.com articles on casting they have actually removed all reference of crystal