Skip to main content
My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
Home For You Chat My Shows Register/Login Games Grosses

Jim Broadbent to play Wilbur in "Hairspray" movie

New Post Search Report Abuse Rules

Welcome Guest. Please Login or Register.

#3

re: Jim Broadbent to play Wilbur in 'Hairspray' movie

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?
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

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

#4

re: Jim Broadbent to play Wilbur in 'Hairspray' movie

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.
#7

re: Jim Broadbent to play Wilbur in 'Hairspray' movie

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?
"Zac is sweet as can be. He's very much just a sweet kid from California who happens to have a face that looks like it was drawn by Michelangelo, (if Michelangelo did anime)."
-Adam Shankman.

"I haven't left this building since Windows 3.1!"

"Celebrating a birthday this week: Rene Descartes is 412! Do you know who he is? Then why are you watching this show? You could probably get into college and even get one of those job things. As for the rest of us; Amanda Bynes is 22! Yay!"
-E!'s "The Soup"
#8

re: Jim Broadbent to play Wilbur in 'Hairspray' movie

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.
"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)
#9

re: Jim Broadbent to play Wilbur in 'Hairspray' movie

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

well said.
"Zac is sweet as can be. He's very much just a sweet kid from California who happens to have a face that looks like it was drawn by Michelangelo, (if Michelangelo did anime)."
-Adam Shankman.

"I haven't left this building since Windows 3.1!"

"Celebrating a birthday this week: Rene Descartes is 412! Do you know who he is? Then why are you watching this show? You could probably get into college and even get one of those job things. As for the rest of us; Amanda Bynes is 22! Yay!"
-E!'s "The Soup"
#11

re: Jim Broadbent to play Wilbur in 'Hairspray' movie

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?
#12

re: Jim Broadbent to play Wilbur in 'Hairspray' movie

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)
#13

re: Jim Broadbent to play Wilbur in 'Hairspray' movie

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.
Itty Bitty Geisha? Toyland? Gypsy Pasadoble? Just a few popular favorites...
#14

re: Jim Broadbent to play Wilbur in 'Hairspray' movie

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.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

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

#17

re: Jim Broadbent to play Wilbur in 'Hairspray' movie

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

With heels/wig and overall girth I think Edna will be a much 'larger' figure opposite jim.
"Zac is sweet as can be. He's very much just a sweet kid from California who happens to have a face that looks like it was drawn by Michelangelo, (if Michelangelo did anime)."
-Adam Shankman.

"I haven't left this building since Windows 3.1!"

"Celebrating a birthday this week: Rene Descartes is 412! Do you know who he is? Then why are you watching this show? You could probably get into college and even get one of those job things. As for the rest of us; Amanda Bynes is 22! Yay!"
-E!'s "The Soup"
#18

re: Jim Broadbent to play Wilbur in 'Hairspray' movie

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!"
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#19

re: Jim Broadbent to play Wilbur in 'Hairspray' movie

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.
#20

re: Jim Broadbent to play Wilbur in 'Hairspray' movie

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."
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#21

re: Jim Broadbent to play Wilbur in 'Hairspray' movie

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.
#23

re: Jim Broadbent to play Wilbur in 'Hairspray' movie

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.
Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart; and you'll never walk alone.
#25

re: Jim Broadbent to play Wilbur in 'Hairspray' movie

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
"Grease," the fourth revival of the season, is the worst show in the history of theater and represents an unparalleled assault on Western civilization and its values. - Michael Reidel

← Back to Message Board

BroadwayWorld TV

View all Videos

Ticket Central
Ticket Central
Ticket Central
Hot Show
Tickets From $59
Hot Show
Tickets From $95
Hot Show
Tickets From $59
Hot Show
Tickets From $170
More Hot Shows Discounts

Recommended For You