#1
Posted: 3/3/06 at 4:48am
Just received this from the wire:
March 3, 2006 4:00:00 AM
John Travolta and Queen Latifah to Star in New Line Cinema's Musical
Film Adaptation of "Hairspray"
LOS ANGELES, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 03/03/06 -- John Travolta and
Queen Latifah have signed on to star in New Line Cinema's upcoming
feature film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical "Hairspray," it
was announced today by Toby Emmerich, New Line's President of
Production.
Travolta will play Edna Turnblad and Queen Latifah will play
Motormouth Maybelle in the film, which is being directed by Adam
Shankman ("The Pacifier," "Bringing Down the House") and produced by
Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, for their Zadan/Meron Productions, who
previously executive produced the Golden Globe and Academy
Award-winning Best Picture "Chicago." A nationwide casting search is
currently under way to find a newcomer to play the lead role of Tracy
Turnblad in the film, with production on "Hairspray" scheduled to
begin this Fall for a potential Summer 2007 release.
"From cult classic film to hit Broadway musical to major motion
picture, 'Hairspray' is a true New Line franchise," commented Bob
Shaye and Michael Lynne, New Line Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs. "John and
Queen Latifah will bring new sensibilities to the characters of Edna
Turnblad and Motormouth Maybelle, and introduce this innovative
musical comedy to new audiences."
Zadan and Meron said: "It's long been a desire of ours to work with
John Travolta and to have the opportunity to produce his return to
movie musicals after three decades... it's a dream come true. And
having worked so successfully with Queen Latifah on 'Chicago,' we
were looking for the perfect vehicle to re-team... 'Hairspray'
presented us with a wonderful opportunity to collaborate once again
with our multi-talented friend."
"Hairspray" is originally based on the 1988 John Waters comedy about
star-struck teenagers on a local Baltimore dance show. The new
version of the film will be based on New Line's hit Broadway
adaptation of the film, which debuted in 2002, and went on to win
eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Book and
Best Director.
Marc Shaiman ("Sleepless in Seattle") and Scott Wittman will
contribute new songs to their existing Tony Award winning score.
Shaiman will also serve as the film's music supervisor and will
compose the music score for the film as well as produce its songs.
Wittman and Shaiman will also serve as executive producers on the
film. The new screenplay for "Hairspray" is written by Leslie Dixon
("Freaky Friday," "Outrageous Fortune").
Emmerich is overseeing the project along with New Line's Executive VP
of Production Mark Kaufman, and Creative Executives Michael Disco and
Daryl Freimark.
Travolta burst into the dance musical world thirty years ago with
"Saturday Night Fever" and packed a one-two punch the following year
with the release of "Grease," the most successful movie musical of
all time. Travolta was nominated for Oscars for "Fever" and "Pulp
Fiction." He is represented by the William Morris Agency and
attorneys Mike Ossi and Howard Butler.
"Hairspray" reunites Latifah with producers Zadan and Meron (she
earned an Oscar and Golden Globe nomination for her work in
"Chicago") and director Shankman (she starred in his blockbuster
"Bringing Down The House"). Latifah is also represented by the
William Morris Agency.
March 3, 2006 4:00:00 AM
John Travolta and Queen Latifah to Star in New Line Cinema's Musical
Film Adaptation of "Hairspray"
LOS ANGELES, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 03/03/06 -- John Travolta and
Queen Latifah have signed on to star in New Line Cinema's upcoming
feature film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical "Hairspray," it
was announced today by Toby Emmerich, New Line's President of
Production.
Travolta will play Edna Turnblad and Queen Latifah will play
Motormouth Maybelle in the film, which is being directed by Adam
Shankman ("The Pacifier," "Bringing Down the House") and produced by
Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, for their Zadan/Meron Productions, who
previously executive produced the Golden Globe and Academy
Award-winning Best Picture "Chicago." A nationwide casting search is
currently under way to find a newcomer to play the lead role of Tracy
Turnblad in the film, with production on "Hairspray" scheduled to
begin this Fall for a potential Summer 2007 release.
"From cult classic film to hit Broadway musical to major motion
picture, 'Hairspray' is a true New Line franchise," commented Bob
Shaye and Michael Lynne, New Line Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs. "John and
Queen Latifah will bring new sensibilities to the characters of Edna
Turnblad and Motormouth Maybelle, and introduce this innovative
musical comedy to new audiences."
Zadan and Meron said: "It's long been a desire of ours to work with
John Travolta and to have the opportunity to produce his return to
movie musicals after three decades... it's a dream come true. And
having worked so successfully with Queen Latifah on 'Chicago,' we
were looking for the perfect vehicle to re-team... 'Hairspray'
presented us with a wonderful opportunity to collaborate once again
with our multi-talented friend."
"Hairspray" is originally based on the 1988 John Waters comedy about
star-struck teenagers on a local Baltimore dance show. The new
version of the film will be based on New Line's hit Broadway
adaptation of the film, which debuted in 2002, and went on to win
eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Book and
Best Director.
Marc Shaiman ("Sleepless in Seattle") and Scott Wittman will
contribute new songs to their existing Tony Award winning score.
Shaiman will also serve as the film's music supervisor and will
compose the music score for the film as well as produce its songs.
Wittman and Shaiman will also serve as executive producers on the
film. The new screenplay for "Hairspray" is written by Leslie Dixon
("Freaky Friday," "Outrageous Fortune").
Emmerich is overseeing the project along with New Line's Executive VP
of Production Mark Kaufman, and Creative Executives Michael Disco and
Daryl Freimark.
Travolta burst into the dance musical world thirty years ago with
"Saturday Night Fever" and packed a one-two punch the following year
with the release of "Grease," the most successful movie musical of
all time. Travolta was nominated for Oscars for "Fever" and "Pulp
Fiction." He is represented by the William Morris Agency and
attorneys Mike Ossi and Howard Butler.
"Hairspray" reunites Latifah with producers Zadan and Meron (she
earned an Oscar and Golden Globe nomination for her work in
"Chicago") and director Shankman (she starred in his blockbuster
"Bringing Down The House"). Latifah is also represented by the
William Morris Agency.
