Um....John Travolta as Edna, Anyone?- Page 2

[cabarethed]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 10:56am

Actually he has been in drag......for under 10 minutes on his SNL when he played Barbra Streisand in the Coffee Talk skit. And I have to say, he was damn funny.

[wildcat]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 11:06am

Ah, but was he MATERNAL?

Posted: 2/24/05 at 11:08am

I can't stand JT, I have never liked him in anything..but yet this idea intrigues me. They wouldn't cast him if he hasn't demonstrated an ability to play the part. The idea that he is willing to take a leap like this is wonderful! I might have to reconsider him.

Of course, Harvey would be perfect. It's always a shame when the creator of a role can't preserve it on film, but...what an interesting idea! It certainly would be a a jolt to the entire film to have such a different actor in the role!

[Feathah]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 11:10am

Damn. I was hoping for John Goodman.

[cabarethed]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 11:14am

Oh I didn't say that to convince he'd be good as Edna. I'm sorta iffy on that. I was responding more to Craig's question of "Have you ever seen him in drag?"

[robbiej]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 11:16am

I saw that SNL skit (where he was actually playing Steven Brimberg) and he was BRILLIANT. Mr. Travolta (unsurprisingly, if you ask some) has a healthy appreciation for camp and drag and would have no problem pulling something like this off. He's a terrific actor (who hasn't always made the best choices) and is a Scientologist who actually seems to not be a robot (paging, Ms. Cruise).

All of this said, I think it would be a shame if Harvey isn't allowed to recreate his glorious performance for the big screen.

[My Fair Lady]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 11:19am

*chokes on cough drop*

Wow. Just....wow.

[cabarethed]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 11:20am

He's willing to go above and beyond for comedy, and yes, given the right choices, he's excellent.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 11:48am

I'm probably one of the few people on this board not to have seen "Hairspray," and even I can say that to give Travolta Fierstein's role would be so wrong--aristically, morally...just wrong. Of course, we know that Hollywood isn't above this sort of behavior, especially when it comes to movie musicals. Updated On: 2/24/05 at 11:48 AM

[robbiej]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 11:57am

Morally????? Seriously? In what way?

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 12:11pm

In defense of Michael McKean, I happened to like him. Yes, he was a bit more understated as Edna in comparison to Harvey, but that in no way means it was a bad performance.

Like others, I'm more concerned that the Meehan and O'Donnell aren't writing the screenplay. How are these deals made anyway and who decides (especially if it's your show)?

[JakeB]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 12:11pm

I am sick and tired of this board continually criticising anyone who is not the originator of a role. We've been here before with 'Kristin Kristin Kristin'. It's just embarrassing. Just because your cast recording isn't updated with changes, that does NOT mean the person who appears on it is the ONLY person appropriate to the role.

Some of your economic knowledge could also do with a makeover. Hairspray will not be a cheap film to make (happy to be corrected here) and its major selling points are in the names attached, and with no 'big' director, it'll be the leads that this film is riding on.

I'm sorry. This really makes me mad. Open your eyes and get outside of this crazy Zanna Don't philosophy that theatre names sell tickets. They do not.

-- End of rant --

[bjivie2]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 12:37pm

I'm just more surprised about Thomas and Marc not writing the screenplay. Thomas said he was at work on the screenplay back in December, so they must have not liked something they were doing.

I'm not a fan of John Travolta replacing Harvey Fierstein, but I can't say anything that hasn't already been said.

[Plum]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 12:37pm

If this is true- and that's one big giant if, considering the rate of success that movie casting rumors have- I find it a shame that Fierstein, who isn't exactly someone with no movie credits, isn't doing the role. The other reason this news kind of gets me down is because I'm not a big John Travolta fan. I don't hate him or anything; he just doesn't capture my attention.

[Corine2]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 12:47pm

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!
STOMPS FEET, ARE YOU PEOPLE MAD!
POUTS!
HARVEY HAS TO BE EDNA OR I WILL HAVE A FIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 12:49pm

Calm down Corine! Everything will be okay. *hands her a picture of Craig Bierko*

[newyorkuniq]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 12:55pm

Oh no! God forbid a mainstream actor ever play a Broadway role on film!!!
geesh.
I adore John Travolta. He is one of the funniest, sweetest,down to earth,talented man I have ever met. His work in film through the years goes unmatched. I would love to see him take this on, but as of now I think you are all stressing over nothing. It has not been confirmed, and Travolta just might have better things to do than dabble in a character that is already worn out on film and Broadway. Cast this film with the Broadway cast and watch how fast it flops across America. Updated On: 2/24/05 at 12:55 PM

[Corine2]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 12:55pm

Travolta is a wonderful actor but Harvey is the best Edna.
If Harvey is not avaiable then Bruce Vilanch would be the best choice.
Harvey and Bruce are fantastic in the role. Travolta as Edna?
I still think of him shaking his booty in Grease.
PLEASE.
Harvey or you will have a riot on your hands.
Travolta could not carry it off. Dame Edna would also be hysterical as Edna Turnbladt, have been saying it for years.
They will ruin the movie. Ruin it!
The only Mamma should be HARVEY.
And Jackie Hoffman as the Gym coach. Updated On: 2/24/05 at 12:55 PM

Posted: 2/24/05 at 12:58pm

I know we're talking about the musical here, but I just have to say that THE Edna will ALWAYS be the inimitable Divine - anyone else will just be following in huge pumps to fill.

[newyorkuniq]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 1:00pm

I would still love to know why anyone feels the need to make a film based on the Musical based on the original film. OY

[Plum]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 1:01pm

Synergy.

[Corine2]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 1:02pm

You are kidding right?
I can't wait. I also hope they cast Waters in it again.
He was hysterical.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 1:02pm

I seriously don't understand why people seem so devastated - I would sure as hell rather see a phenominal actor do Edna than an overrated frog. I cannot stand Harvey Fierstein, and I think it's a very very wise choice to not have him star in the film.

[Corine2]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 1:03pm

YOU CAN'T STAND HARVEY FIERSTEIN?
You are dead to me now.

[newyorkuniq]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 1:05pm

You need therapy asap