Um....John Travolta as Edna, Anyone?- Page 6

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 3:36am

FindingNamo: You better explain for your uncalled for comments. You're suggesting that because I suggested Dame Edna, I didn't know he is a straight man? You really need to get over yourself - I obviously know that Barry is straight, but my be suggesting that Dame Edna is a gay icon has nothing to do with the actor's sexual preference. As Tiff pointed out to me, Cher is a gay icon, and she's a straight woman. Please - no need to be so needlessly nasty. You're tired.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 8:43am

Corine2 is a gay icon and she knows it.

[Corine2]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 10:05am

Phanty. That was so cute.

Now if only i could be a straight mans icon.
Then i would hear the bells.
Ha ha.
Updated On: 2/26/05 at 10:05 AM

[Feodor Sverdlov]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 10:17am

I don't understand the point of Edna being played by a man. What's the reasoning behind that? Divine, I understand. That's what Divine did, and he was in a John Waters' film, where he played a woman, many times. But what's the point of Harvey or Bruce or anyone else playing Edna??? They're not know for drag. Divine was. It's stupid. Just cast a woman.

[Corine2]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 10:20am

No. Edna has to be a man and it has to be Harvey.
He is divine in every sense of the word.
John should be Wilbur. Enough said.

[False Titters]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 10:38am

Oh my lordy lord!

As a Brit whos been to Broadway once, I was totally, utterly blown away by Harvey in Hairspray. I'm now a devout follower and I would love to see Harvey in London with the role but most importantly is him in the movie. Im sure Marc Shaiman and people involved will read this so I hope we make our views clear. Hairspray is a stunning show and Harvey is part of the package. Yes im sure other people including Travolta can do the role but Harvey brings magic to it. Its a huge risk casting someone else. Look at Phantom - they went for a sexy lead but not the best person, most talented, most suited person because they thought it would bring in box office - and the film is a dud, at least in part due to this mistake. I have absolute respect and admiration for Marc, Thomas and all the creative team and I dont know how it works, how much control over the movie theyll have but if Harvey doesnt play this role its a serious problem for the film. I can't believe they'd be happy about this prospect. Studios have long historys of rubbishing great projects. They need to stick with the integrity of the original - its a hit because it is what it is, not what a bunch of suits who probably dont even get musical theater think it should be as a movie. I dont think this is in the same vein as people wanting Michael Crawford for the role through sentimentality that he created it - Harveys performance embodies the whole spirit of Hairspray. His magic embodies and expresses what the piece is - Travolta does not. They have to keep the sensibility of the Walters film and Harvey (and Marissa for that matter) - totally nail that spirit. It will be such a disaster if the studio makes this mistake. The public arent stupid - they dont just want some sex symbol to look at or a star just for the sake of it - they want authenticity, they want sparkle and wit and vivacity. Please I hope with all my creative heart that they dont screw up like they did with Phantom. People will see this movie because it is Hairspray the musical not because its a John Travolta film. The idea of a the movie without Harvey is like rock and roll with no drummer

Rant over. :)

Posted: 2/26/05 at 10:41am

Feodor - just a little disagreement here - Harvey is very much known for drag performance, as that's what he did mostly in his early career - hence the autobiographical "Torch Song Trilogy".

[Corine2]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 10:46am

Munk-
Don't diss Namo. Harvey is the perfect person for the role.
Give Travolta another role. But Harvey is Edna.
Most of the people seeing the film will be diehards and we all want Harvey.
For the masses out there who have never seen the genius in action, Harvey would bring them to live theater.
Prays that Edna is played by Harvey. I love him. He is one of the most talented actors on the planet.

[False Titters]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 10:51am

One little bit of logic I forgot in case any studio bods are reading this:-

Who is the biggest fan of movie musicals = gays and women

Gay men are early adopters in marketing terms = where they lead, the mainstream market follows

How do you make a movie musical do massive business = get a good percentage of the approximately 600 million gay people in the world to see it

Who is a bigger draw for gay people - Harvey Fierstein, one of the most famous and best loved living gay performers in the world. Or action star John Travolta.?

Anyone other than Harvey will be a commercial mistake. I'm off to do a rain dance or something. I'm having a bad enough day as it is, i dont want to think about this prospect

[Phantom2]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 10:54am

Good point.

[Corine2]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 10:57am

Travolta would be great as Wilbur or Corny or even Mrs Baltimore Crabs.
HA. Now that would be a great solution. Make Travolta Mrs Baltimore Crabs. Updated On: 2/26/05 at 10:57 AM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 10:58am

Munkie, are you calling me out? I "better explain" myself? It is to laugh! I'm FindingNamo, bizzzeyotch. I'm sorry you don't have enough reading comprehension, but that's no reason to tell me to bring it on. Cuz it's already been broughten.

[False Titters]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 11:00am

Thanks Phantom
And one last thing:

HARVEY IS A MOVIE STAR!!!!! (fog horn sounds, neon light flashes, words echo round like the 'Never put your money in the show' Producers line)

Obviously there's the most iconic, best loved gay film ever Torch Song, but Independence Day, Bullets Over Broadway even the damn Simpsons and countless other bits. Its not JUST gay people who love him - it wouldnt have been just gay men that raved and ranted about him in Hairspray. Hell, even my mother who lives in some ratty cold corner of England knows of him and thinks he's great. And she hates gay people!! Ha ha ha (im kidding)

Ok, I'm exhausted. Im going to bed.

[Corine2]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 11:01am

Boys boys. Stop fighting.
Munkie, Namo is a prize fighter and you don't want to do kung fu fighting with him.
He will pin you hands down.
OK. All we are saying, is give peace a chance.

[False Titters]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 11:07am

Oh dear, sorry, one last, last, LAST thing for the studio peeps:

I imagine they will hear about this strongly felt opinion on here and dismiss it as being just 'Broadway fans' etc and think of us as a minority unconnected with the eventual global potential of this films box office.

BUT THINK ABOUT IT.

Who will see this film: FANS OF MUSICAL THEATRE. Heres news - if you want it to be a hit, people who like musicals will have to see it and flock to it.

Who are the people on this site = people who like musicals = the core market of this film.

Early word can make or break a film and where will early word come about this movie - from sites like this, from people anticiapting it and talking about it on here and if the word isnt good, if Travolta is Edna and word isnt good then it spreads like wildfire and has a serious effect. Just look at Phantom.

(Oxygen mask falls down, thud, collapse)

[Phantom2]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 11:19am

What happened to FindingNamo2?

[playbill_signer_05]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 11:21am

According to broadway pulse, the studio has been "thinking big, ranging from Travolta to Tom Hanks to Jack Nicholson for the part."

eek

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 11:28am

FindingNamo2 is my intern. He actually has no business posting here, he registered one day during one of my impromptu afternoon naps. And posts during such breaks that I take during my busy busy day. I've threatened him with firing, but there's the matter of a pile of Polaroids.

Sorta the way Travolta can't get outta Scientology! (I brought it back full circle!)

Posted: 2/26/05 at 11:35am

Why do 'Travolta' and 'full circle' seem so natural together?

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 11:39am

I am not very fond of Travolta but I don't have anything against him too. I would definetely prefer Harvey, since I adore him...

BUT
For me the most important thing is that my favorite show will be preserved in movie form ! For that, i am willing to accept what the powers that be decide are the best casting choices (And a thought for them, NO ONE can play Link better than Matt Morisson, ok ? ) :)
And I am sure that until the official announcements are made, this board will have a lot of heated discussions about John Travolta as Edna and Glenn Close as Norma ! :)

Take care

[False Titters]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 12:11pm

I think Matthew Morrison is perfect in the role too but i can totally see them going for Justin Timberlake. I think that would be great too and would bring in a HUGE audience. You wouldnt need Travolta or anyone - youd get a teen demographic which makes sense for the film as well. Would be inspired if that happens really

[Phantom2]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 12:18pm

Matty Fresh would be GREAT. He is a true hunk in every sense of the word. If not him, how about James Carpinello?

Updated On: 2/26/05 at 12:18 PM

[False Titters]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 12:27pm

Ok so i just read the New york times thing that quotes Tom Meehan as saying the creative team isnt happy about the casting 'decision' which suggests its been decided. So if Marc, Scott, Thomas and Mark arent happy with it then ITS WAR!!!!

You know the only way the studio will change its mind is if it realises public opinion is so strongly against it. We have the power to change it if we want to but we have to scream and shout and make a fuss about it. Are you up for it??? I am! I work for Attitude magazine which is the UKS biggest gay mag and Im willing to write about it in there. Who else can help. Most important is you guys in the states. You must be all well connected - how can we campaign against it - and not just silly online petitions - although that will help - maybe we should have a letter writing campaign to New Line saying we will all boycott the movie, maybe get Liz Smith involved, the more press the better - its all about the media, showing it would be wrong. If we scream and shout loud enough no at a stage where a decision can still be reversed, we might be able to influence it. Sounds far fetched but people power is what its all about - New Line will only be interested in butts on seats and if they think thats at risk they may reconsider. Im a professional person but im willing to get involved - it would be SO wrong if Harveys not Edna. Like some casting mistake that will be talked about in 50 years time. I do have perspective on things - i know this is not a life and death thing, that there are more important things in life - but the theatre is such a part of who I am - we are - and Hairspray such a perfect show and big part of that, and Harvey such a beautiful and unique performer - im willing to put some time in to try and stop this foolish, superficial, mistaken decision....

Who's with me?!!!

Suggestions please!!!

(Cue broadwayworld members stepping in time to One Day More with Harvey as Edna flag!)

[WISHIHADATONY]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 12:43pm

False Titters, sorry, you are mistaken. Harvey Fierstein is not a "movie star." Travolta is a magnificent casting choice. While Fierstein has appeared in a few films, his acting abilitites were clearly embarassing.

You may have noticed his name has never been used to promote any film in which he appeared, including the dreadful TORCH SONG TRILOGY film, in which his performance was the weakest link by far. When someone's name is used in conjunction with publicizing a film, that usually means they are a "movie star."

Most people in the world have no idea who Harvey Fierstein is.

Sadly, those who saw Fierstein perform IF I WERE A RICH MAN on LIVE WITH REGIS AND KELLY were simply uncomfortable or embarassed at his dreadful and uninspired performance. The studio audience barely applauded and Regis told Harvey he was "very good." Harvey Fierstein's performance in FIDDLER received negative to mixed notices, at best, from the professional critics.

This does not bode well for one being entrusted to star in a major film musical.

I suspect the "PHANTOM" error of not casting bankable movie stars is a lesson learned. This is why Broadway performers rarely repeat their parts on film. They are terribly different art forms and even legendary greeeeeeeat Broadway performers often cannot and did not create the magic onscreen that they did on stage.

Again, Travolta is an inspired and almost obvious casting choice. This is based on his stardom, background in muscials, two Oscar nominations, his proven box office appeal and the fact that he, Travolta, STARRED IN THE HIGHEST GROSSING MUSICAL IN FILM HISTORY,....GREASE.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/26/05 at 12:51pm

"...his proven box office appeal..." WHICH ENDED IN THE 1990s! But just keep repeating that, wrong though it is.

Also, don't know what planet you live on, and if you were even CONSCIOUS when the Torch Song movie was released, but the ENTIRE thing was promoted as a Harvey movie and HARVEY was the person who did all the publicity. I know, cuz I was on a press junket for it.

But just keep throwing out falsehoods, WishIHadATony, and when they're proven wrong, just ignore it.