Pfeiffer closes in on 'Hairspray'

#1

Pfeiffer closes in on 'Hairspray'

Posted: 7/16/06 at 11:37pm

According to Hollywood Reporter Michelle Pfeiffer is in final negotiations to play Miss Velma Von Tussle in the film adaptation of Hairspray.

Michelle Pfeiffer is in final negotiations to join the cast of New Line Cinema's adaptation of the hit Broadway musical comedy "Hairspray." "Hairspray" was based on the 1988 John Waters comedy about star-struck teenagers on a local Baltimore dance show. The latest version will be based on New Line's Tony-winning Broadway adaptation of the film. Pfeiffer would play Velma von Tussel, a former beauty queen (Miss Baltimore Crabs) who can't move on and who is the producer of the dance show. She joins John Travolta as Edna Turnblad, Queen Latifah as Motormouth Maybelle, Amanda Bynes as Penny Pingleton, Brittany Snow as Amber von Tussel, Zac Efron as Link Larkin, Elijah Kelley as Seaweed and newcomer Nikki Blonsky as Tracy Turnblad. "Hairspray" is being directed by Adam Shankman and produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/film/brief_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002840071

Unfortuantely I dont have a hr.com account so I can not view the full story.

---

"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)."
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"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"

#2

re: Pfeiffer closes in on 'Hairspray'

Posted: 7/16/06 at 11:39pm

I think she would be a great choice.

#3

re: Pfeiffer closes in on 'Hairspray'

Posted: 7/16/06 at 11:44pm

Awesome! The Pfeiff would be a hoot as Velma! Very much looking forward to this film.

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"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)

#4

re: Pfeiffer closes in on 'Hairspray'

Posted: 7/16/06 at 11:44pm

Good to hear. She's been in negotations for the longest time, and now she's finally out of the rumors stage.

#5

re: Pfeiffer closes in on 'Hairspray'

Posted: 7/16/06 at 11:45pm

Glad to hear it's out of the rumor mill. I've been holding my tongue for ever. She will be great!

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"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS

"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx

#6

re: Pfeiffer closes in on 'Hairspray'

Posted: 7/17/06 at 12:05am

Nothing about any of the casting of the film, has gotten me excited to see it. It only makes me realize just how perfect the original film already is. Yes, I know it's not the musical version; but, some things can't be improved. TomMonster, why were you holding your tongue on the Pfeiffer news? What difference could your mentioning it have possibly made?

#7

re: Pfeiffer closes in on 'Hairspray'

Posted: 7/17/06 at 12:12am

I've worked in casting and it is never appropriate to discuss actors who are being approached before negotiations are truly under way. Speculation is OK before things get going, but not during the process. Just a habit.

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"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS

"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx

#8

re: Pfeiffer closes in on 'Hairspray'

Posted: 7/17/06 at 12:21am

She is so hot! Despite my hesitations on other casting choices I would go see this just to see her. I hope they really give her a chance to shine. She's wonderful

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RIP Natasha Richardson. ~You were a light on this earth ~

#9

re: Pfeiffer closes in on 'Hairspray'

Posted: 7/17/06 at 12:44am

Am I the only one who didn't enjoy the original movie?

#10

re: Pfeiffer closes in on 'Hairspray'

Posted: 7/17/06 at 12:46am

I'm one of the few that actually enjoy Grease 2 so I'm glad Pfeiffer is once again visitng her musical roots that she hasn't touched on since The Prince of Egypt.

She only gets more beautiful as the years go by...a GREAT choice for Velma.

Now if only she could get over her stage fright and take on Roxie Hart in Chicago.

#11

re: Pfeiffer closes in on 'Hairspray'

Posted: 7/17/06 at 12:47am

Could be...unless your an old Waters fan. Nobody ate sh*t in the movie. But, too each his own. What didn't you like about the movie?

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"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS

"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx

#12

re: Pfeiffer closes in on 'Hairspray'

Posted: 7/17/06 at 12:49am

It was supposed to be a comedy and I didn't find it funny. I was rather bored while watching it.

#13

re: Pfeiffer closes in on 'Hairspray'

Posted: 7/17/06 at 12:56am

Have you seen the musical? Some think it is funnier. I enjoy both, but I like Waters' sensibility and the movie was such a departure for him. The musical created an entirely different vibe, yet still maintained the 'sweetness' of the film.

I love the fact that many Hollywood 'stars' are joining the project, also as a departure from their norm. Should be interesting at any rate.

I've had a brain fart (again) and have forgotten who's directing? That always makes a difference...

---

"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS

"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx

#14

re: Pfeiffer closes in on 'Hairspray'

Posted: 7/17/06 at 12:56am

It was supposed to be a comedy and I didn't find it funny. I was rather bored while watching it.

According to whom was it supposed to be a comedy? I think Waters' films defy mainstream film categorization.

---

"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)

#15

re: Pfeiffer closes in on 'Hairspray'

Posted: 7/17/06 at 12:57am

Have they cast a Corny Collins yet?

#16

re: Pfeiffer closes in on 'Hairspray'

Posted: 7/17/06 at 12:58am

I can see it.

And I don't know, but I'm rooting for Donny Osmond as Corny.

#17

re: Pfeiffer closes in on 'Hairspray'

Posted: 7/17/06 at 1:01am

"According to whom was it supposed to be a comedy? I think Waters' films defy mainstream film categorization."

Um... sorry? It's listed under comedy on Netflix.

"Have you seen the musical?"

I haven't seen the musical yet, but I have the recording and love it.

Also I just want to say that my comment was in no way saying this movie is going to be bad, I'm actually looking forward to it. I just keep on seeing other people post about how great the original film was, and how this film will not even compare...

#18

re: Pfeiffer closes in on 'Hairspray'

Posted: 7/17/06 at 1:11am

Take all of the bitching with a grain of salt, JustChillin. You're allowed to like both, neither or one or the other.

No worries...

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"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS

"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx

#19

re: Pfeiffer closes in on 'Hairspray'

Posted: 7/17/06 at 3:35am

I've seen both (I used to own the movie), but I don't think of them as the same story. Yes, it has the same characters, but the musical's ending makes it completely different from the film.

With that said, I enjoy the musical better.

Who doesn't love Sonny Bono and Devine?

#20

re: Pfeiffer closes in on 'Hairspray'

Posted: 7/17/06 at 3:39am

^Exactly! Miss them both! One had to eat crow most of the time, the other sh*t on film. Waters got that and what a riot!

I loved that the musical took the story to another place without ruining the original intent.

---

"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS

"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx

#21

re: Pfeiffer closes in on 'Hairspray'

Posted: 7/17/06 at 4:35am

Exactly. The fat girl still won in the end (the crown and the boy!), just in a different way.

On the Hairspray movie IMDB message board, a person saw the musical in Vegas and wanted to know if he/she should rent the original film? Someone mentioned that it wasn't a musical, and she didn't seem interested.

#22

re: Pfeiffer closes in on 'Hairspray'

Posted: 7/17/06 at 8:26am

It's now official, and the best bit of casting so far. I'm a fan of Queen Latifah, but I have trouble seeing her handle "I Know Where I've Been". I don't think she has the chops, and she's too young. I hope she proves me wrong.

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"It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are 20 gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg." -- Thomas Jefferson

#23

re: Pfeiffer closes in on 'Hairspray'

Posted: 7/17/06 at 8:42am

I have to say I am a little sad that none of it will be filmed in Baltimore now.

---

"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"

#24

re: Pfeiffer closes in on 'Hairspray'

Posted: 7/17/06 at 8:48am

I'm one of the few that actually enjoy Grease 2 so I'm glad Pfeiffer is once again visitng her musical roots

I'll be your girl for all seasons!!!!

I heart Grease 2 as well!

#25

re: Pfeiffer closes in on 'Hairspray'

Posted: 7/17/06 at 8:52am

I think it is good for a laugh, and I actually do like "girl for all seasons." Its cute.


But the main reason for anyone to watch that is the lovely Maxwell Caulfield.

---

"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"