Travolta and Latifah officially signed for HAIRSPRAY film- Page 5

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 2:26pm

i think shannon durig should do it, but its being cast as an unknown, so, no chance of that happening there
and personally, i am very excited for this film! i think queen latifah will do just fine in the role, and i have yet to see how john travolta will be...

but i think, most of all, im excited for the new songs that are being written for the film! (i cant wait till that soundtrack comes out!!!)

[shermanslave]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 2:29pm

this thread is cracking me up. everyone is so up in arms about somethimg that none us are involved with and does not happen for over a year. so funny.

go, broadwayworld, go.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 2:31pm

i think shannon durig should do it, but its being cast as an unknown

Yea, no chance in hell they will cast a name star like Shannon!

[BSoBW3]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 2:31pm

"i think shannon durig should do it, but its being cast as an unknown

Yea, no chance in hell they will cast a name star like Shannon!"

Oh, good. I'm not the only one who caught that! HAHAHA.

Sherman - what the HELL were you expecting from BWW? seriously! haha

Posted: 3/3/06 at 2:39pm

Im gonna go out on a limb and suggest that they got Latifah because she expressed interest in recording Motormouth's songs a long time ago (Mary says so in her interview on my website). I think she'll do alright.

John Travolta kinda scares me as a choice for Edna but I'll still see it. I understand putting recognizable names in a movie to give it more widespread appeal but I just cant picture Travolta coming off as a woman in my head.

If Justin Timberlake is cast as Link I might cry tho.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 2:41pm

I'm curious Margo, what star do you think would have been right for Edna in the film version?

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 2:50pm

No sense in wondering or wishing any more, it's cast!

One thing is for sure, film makers are not interested in taking risks on Broadway performers unless they are an equally recognizable name on TV or film. It's never gonna change. It's a business that is interested in the best shot at MAKING MONEY the easiest way they can.

Updated On: 3/5/06 at 02:50 PM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 3:14pm

"I'm glad they went with Latifah over Aretha or Patti LaBelle. Seaweed is supposed to be her son, not her grandson."

Well, the role was created by 60 year old Ruth brown in the original film. Labelle is 61 and Aretha is 63. Not sure Mary Bond Davis' age, but Darlene Love is 67. Perhaps you're arguing that John Waters and Jack O'Brien were both wrong concerning what age the character is supposed to be.

[dirty rotten guy]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 3:20pm

EDIT: Double post

Updated On: 3/3/06 at 03:20 PM

[dirty rotten guy]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 3:20pm

Im curious if Waters has retained any rights for the Hairspray musical. I just cant see him greenlighting this film, but I may be wrong. Does anyone have any info on that?

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 3:21pm

My only exposure to Patti Labelle's acting skills is from an episode of A Different World, but I have to say I wasn't too impressed.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 3:26pm

From her performances in A Soldier's Story and Working, I think Labelle would be just fine as Maybelle. I mean no one would confuse Ruth Brown, Davis or Love with Alfre Woodard.

Updated On: 3/3/06 at 03:26 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 3:28pm

Who knows if Maybelle is even going to have the same songs as she does in the stage version.

As with the upcoming DREAMGIRLS, its certainly possible that the creative team is going to be adding new material so basing someone's "rightness" for the role based on the role as written for the stage is a bit perilous.

[best12bars]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 3:30pm

Michael Bennett---Agreed. As I said myself, earlier.

"Perhaps you're arguing that John Waters and Jack O'Brien were both wrong concerning what age the character is supposed to be. "

Perhaps I am, Margo. Do you have a problem with that?



EDIT: Mabel is also Li'l Inez's mother. So are we to suppose that she was 55 years old when her baby girl was born? I think I just threw up a little.

Updated On: 3/3/06 at 03:30 PM

[Leanne_Jones]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 4:02pm

How can i British girl get seen for Tracy? Any ideas?!??

Posted: 3/3/06 at 4:18pm

I am honestly not too surprised... obviously, John Travolta was rumored for a long time as a possibility for Hairspray. Personally, I'm going to refrain from judgement till I hear anything more about him. Obviously, he hasn't been in a movie musical for quite a long time... but who knows, perhaps he will add a different twist to the character.

As for Latifah... I didn't think she was even the least bit impressionable in Chicago, so I'm not too excited to see her in another movie musical. I think she was the least favorite female for me personally. I honestly do think she is too young, but I do not like Aretha Franklin, either... so I don't think that would have been the solution.

As for the rest of the cast, I hope they know what they are doing. I swear, if they try to cast some "bigger names" for Amber or Link, I will be really mad. Not that I can do anything about it, and obviously I can't have my first choice for Link, but I do not want some "actors" taking the role either. Call it selfishness, but I would rather not see Hilary Duff or Lindsay Lohan playin Amber, thanks.

~Jkor

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 4:29pm

They are definitely casting names for Link and Amber. I know for a fact Lindsay Lohan was approached for the later.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 5:19pm

Well, now that Travolta & Latifah are officially in it, expect Oprah to do a show about it. That'll definitly put the movie out there if Oprah puts her stamp of approval on it.

I think it'll be a successful movie. Above Rent, Producers & POTO - but below Chicago.

[EugLoven]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 5:30pm

Whether or not you like the idea of Travolta in the role, you have to also remember that the underlying motive in any entertainment business is profit. It is, afterall, an industry.

If a name like Travolta, who we all know is a very acclaimed and favorite American actor, is going to headline a Broadway movie musical, that is a sure-fire way to bring in audiences.

And in my opinion, the more people exposed to Broadway (albeit via the silver-screen), the better. Let the Travolta-swooning 50-year old women come and bring their reluctant husbands! I'm sure anyone is going to get a kick out of it, and *crossing fingers*, it may just help boost box office sales for "Hairspray" on Broadway, which will help NYC's economy.

I'm looking forward to it, because while the original film is great fun, the differences from screen to stage to screen will be glaring enough for each film to be appreciated as separate spheres.

[dutch46mill2]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 7:54pm

Hairspray will be filmed for some exterior shots in Baltimore and the rest in Toronto. Same formula these Chicago producers used for Chicago the movie.I forget which theater they used either the Pantages or the Princess of Wales for all the stage shots.They also shot all over Toronto for exteriors.Soundtrack was done at The Metalworks in Mississauga Ont just west of Toronto.
By the way anybody know whose doing Penny.
Updated On: 3/3/06 at 07:54 PM

[jimnysf]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 12:15am

Frankly, this scares me more than the casting: "...the film, which is being directed by Adam Shankman ("The Pacifier," "Bringing Down the House")."!!!!

Posted: 3/4/06 at 5:58pm

Im exicted for Queen Latifah, I feel she did a good job in Chicago and she'd do really well as Motormouth, but I was hoping for maybe Sharon Wilkins or Patti Labelle, but Queen is good.

John is an odd choice, but I wont knock him till I've heard him or seen him in Edna mode, I loved Bruce when I saw the show, never saw Harvey but him on the recording is hilarious. I wont judge Travolta till I've seen him.

Like I always say "Dont knock it, till you tried it"

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 6:00pm

Well at least they thought outside of the box a little for Edna. John isn't an obvious choice, but he's possibly an inspired one. With Motormouth they obviously thought Queen Latifah looked the part and didn't stop to think how wrong she actually is for it.

Posted: 3/4/06 at 6:22pm

LATIFAH is the most overrated actress ever in our time.
She has absolutely no talent and is the most uncharismatic talent on screens today. She killed CHicago...(despite her ridiculous nomination) and she playes the same woman in every role. She is cardboard on the screen...why people flock to her, is because she's the only one that can bring 'urban dollars' to see this movie, as a draw.

it is the worst casting decision ever.
along with Travolta.

What a Mess!

I will not go and see this.

they will not squeeze money out of my pocket...I'll wait til the clips can be streamed online.

Hollywood sucks!

[TennesseeTwang]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 6:50pm

"They are definitely casting names for Link and Amber. I know for a fact Lindsay Lohan was approached for the later."


It might be fun to see Lohan with a bomb in her behive.

But Justin Timberlake is out of the question. For one thing, he doen't have the right kind of hair for the role. For another, he wouldn't be cuaght dead romancing a fat girl on screen.