Steve Martin to play Wilbur in HAIRSPRAY movie?

In the Playbill.com article announcing that Adam Shankman would be directing the HAIRSPRAY movie it stated:

"The industry paper also says that John Travolta is likely to star as Edna Turnblad, the role created onstage by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein. Queen Latifah, who was directed by Shankman in 'Bringing Down the House,' is likely for the role of Motormouth Maybelle."

The discussion previous to this article was that Aretha Franklin was being considered for the role of Motormouth. Now that Shankman has signed on to direct, Franklin's name has disappeared and Queen Latifah is now the front-runner for the role, surely because she has worked with Shankman before.

My question is: There is no mention of Billy Crystal in this article at all. And it seemed he was the front-runner to play Wilbur Turnblad. Now that Shankman has signed on, what are the chances we might see Steve Martin's name circulating to play the part, being that Shankman has directed him in three movies already?

He does somewhat resemble Dick Latessa in HAIRSPRAY. And we know he can carry a tune. I think he has a good shot.

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YES! I would love to see him do it.

I'm sorry, I know John Travolta has had his name attached to this project since the beginning but I cannot realistically see him playing a 300 lbs mother.
I could totally see Steven Martin as Wilbur, although I think I would prefer Billy Crystal, if only for the "Shabbat Shalom" line in "Timeless"

I'm scurred for this movie.

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I agree with Pab.

Give me Aretha or Paati LaBelle any day.

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I always thought Tina Tuner would make a great Motormouth but there's no way she'd do it

Also Yahoo said Merryl Steep as been talk as being part of the cast too

Updated On: 10/24/05 at 06:43 PM

John Travolta.....:blink blink:.....wtf!?

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Ana? Absolutely!

But she's a little busy under contract now. Doesn't this start filming in the next few months??

I'm prayin' they stop star-casting after the first rung of leads and give this part to Jackie Hoffman. I can dream, can't I?

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I'd looooove for Jackie to play Female Authority Figure in the movie! C'mon, she stole Garden State with her solo at the funeral, why not have her back in Hairspray? Too bad she couldn't do the adlibs though

yeah i wish that they'd cast braodway people for this kinda stuff....it you can trust it better...like i trust rent because its mostly origional cast...we pretty much know they can do it...but chicago? lets take 2 random people and make them dance and sing...not my happy kinda movie...

but i can see steve martin or billy crystal as wilber...but why not michael mckeon instead of travolta? he's done the part and he's a pretty big star...

Patti Labelle - needs to be Motormouth.

Aretha's voice is pretty weak nowadays. Patti can sing Aretha OUT OF THE WATER.

John Travolta! Are you high!

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