Steve Martin to play Wilbur in HAIRSPRAY movie?

[FOAnatic]

Steve Martin to play Wilbur in HAIRSPRAY movie?#0

Posted: 10/24/05 at 3:14pm

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.

"I love talking about nothing. It is the only thing I know anything about." - Oscar Wilde

[aslarson05]

re: Steve Martin to play Wilbur in HAIRSPRAY movie?#1

Posted: 10/24/05 at 3:17pm

John Travolta??

[Unknown User]

re: Steve Martin to play Wilbur in HAIRSPRAY movie?#2

Posted: 10/24/05 at 3:42pm

YES! I would love to see him do it.

[442namffug]

re: Steve Martin to play Wilbur in HAIRSPRAY movie?#3

Posted: 10/24/05 at 3:48pm

I would just love to see this movie NOT happen.

There's absolutley no reason to recreate the musical on film. It works nicely on stage and is "fun", but is it really a necessity to the film community to bring this back to the big screen? No.
Updated On: 10/24/05 at 03:48 PM

[broadwaystar2b]

re: Steve Martin to play Wilbur in HAIRSPRAY movie?#4

Posted: 10/24/05 at 3:48pm

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"

[TheQuibbler]

re: Steve Martin to play Wilbur in HAIRSPRAY movie?#5

Posted: 10/24/05 at 4:02pm

Steve Martin would be wonderful. Crystal would be great, too.

[MrMidwest]

re: Steve Martin to play Wilbur in HAIRSPRAY movie?#6

Posted: 10/24/05 at 4:21pm

I'm scurred for this movie.

"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter

[pab]

re: Steve Martin to play Wilbur in HAIRSPRAY movie?#7

Posted: 10/24/05 at 4:32pm

This topic comes around every so often and again I will say, Queen Latifah would be WRONG for Motormouth Maybelle. Both from an age and a singing standpoint.

"Smart! And into all those exotic mystiques -- The Kama Sutra and Chinese techniques. I hear she knows more than seventy-five. Call me tomorrow if you're still alive!"

[TheatreDiva90016]

re: Steve Martin to play Wilbur in HAIRSPRAY movie?#8

Posted: 10/24/05 at 4:46pm

I agree with Pab.

Give me Aretha or Paati LaBelle any day.

"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>> “I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>> -whatever2

[best12bars]

re: Steve Martin to play Wilbur in HAIRSPRAY movie?#9

Posted: 10/24/05 at 6:08pm

John Travolta = great choice. I remember him doing his Streisand in full drag on SNL. It was hilarious! This guy can do camp and still play a character. Oh, yeah, he's also a big star, which they need.

Steve Martin = okay choice, but bland. I'd much rather see Billy Crystal. He fits the colorful character better.

Queen Latifah = too young! Unless she was 12 when she had Seaweed! And Aretha or LaBelle? Way too old. Paging Jennifer Holliday!!

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

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blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

[JulesReverie]

re: Steve Martin to play Wilbur in HAIRSPRAY movie?#10

Posted: 10/24/05 at 6:43pm

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

[best12bars]

re: Steve Martin to play Wilbur in HAIRSPRAY movie?#11

Posted: 10/24/05 at 6:48pm

Tina would be GREAT... 15 years ago.

Are there any solid female R&B-type stars around now that can play 40-45 years old???

Tina, Aretha & Patti can't pull off 40-45 anymore... I don't think. And Queen Latifah is too young for that.

(I wish they'd just forget about using a star in this part and cast Mary Bond Davis!)

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

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blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

[stylinbohemian]

re: Steve Martin to play Wilbur in HAIRSPRAY movie?#12

Posted: 10/24/05 at 6:49pm

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

"If There's One Thing to Learn it's You Just Can't Go Wrong If You Follow Your Heart, and End With A Song"

[zepka102]

re: Steve Martin to play Wilbur in HAIRSPRAY movie?#13

Posted: 10/24/05 at 6:53pm

i don't know if its been mentioned before, but can anyone else see Ana Gastayer playing the female authority figure? she would OWN it

::bust a move::

[best12bars]

re: Steve Martin to play Wilbur in HAIRSPRAY movie?#14

Posted: 10/24/05 at 7:03pm

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?

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

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blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

[alterego]

re: Steve Martin to play Wilbur in HAIRSPRAY movie?#15

Posted: 10/24/05 at 9:09pm

I agree with best12bars about Steve Martin. He is bland personified!

[broadwaystar2b]

re: Steve Martin to play Wilbur in HAIRSPRAY movie?#16

Posted: 10/24/05 at 9:18pm

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

[greenegirl87]

re: Steve Martin to play Wilbur in HAIRSPRAY movie?#17

Posted: 10/24/05 at 10:47pm

why cant stage to screen musicals just cast broadway stars?? arghh.... no more emmy rossum or renee zellweger.... maybe if rent does well???

"But now the air is filled with confusion. We replace care with illusion."

[boatsintheghetto]

re: Steve Martin to play Wilbur in HAIRSPRAY movie?#18

Posted: 10/25/05 at 6:51pm

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...

[bschneid76]

re: Steve Martin to play Wilbur in HAIRSPRAY movie?#19

Posted: 10/25/05 at 6:58pm

Why not Harvey?? He's done screen before. Ick to John Travolta.

"Love the Art in Yourself. Not Yourself in the Art." -- Stanislavski

[ljay889]

re: Steve Martin to play Wilbur in HAIRSPRAY movie?#20

Posted: 10/25/05 at 7:04pm

Patti Labelle - needs to be Motormouth.

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

[Unknown User]

re: Steve Martin to play Wilbur in HAIRSPRAY movie?#21

Posted: 10/25/05 at 8:30pm

Please let them cast anyone but corny Billy "I crack myself up" Crystal.

[ALWrules]

re: Steve Martin to play Wilbur in HAIRSPRAY movie?#22

Posted: 10/25/05 at 8:51pm

John Travolta! Are you high!

Keep your morals, I don't have time. Keep your lovers, I'm changing mine! -The Likes of Us