Michelle Pfeiffer Joins Hairspray Film; Dec 21 2007 Release

Variety reports this morning that Michelle Pfeiffer has signed on to the Hairspray film as Velma von Tussle. Additionally, the film has firmed up its production schedule, which has it going before the cameras in September '06 for a December 21, 2007 release. Hairspray won't be Pfeiffer's first major screen role in a musical, she got her on screen start in Grease 2. Later, in 1989, she starred as chanteuse Susie Diamond in The Fabulous Baker Boys, for which she was nominated for an Academy Award. Her non-musical film credits include: Scarface, Ladyhawke, The Witches of Eastwick, Married to the Mob, Tequila Sunrise, The Russia House, Frankie and Johnny, Batman Returns, The Age of Innocence, Dangerous Minds, One Fine Day, I Am Sam, and White Oleander.  Currently, Pfeiffer is filming Stardust, the Sci-Fi fantasy epic opposite Robert DeNiro, Claire Danes, and Sienna Miller, which is also due to be released in 2007.

Pfeiffer will join the previously announced John Travolta as Edna Turnblad, Queen Latifah as Motormouth Maybelle, Amanda Bynes as Penny, Elijah Kelley as Seaweed, and newcomer Nikki Blonsky as Tracy Turnblad, who helps to integrate a Baltimore dance show-and wins the heart of Link (Zac Efron) in the process.

The film version of Hairspray will be directed by Adam Shankman (Bringing Down the House) produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, for their Zadan/Meron Productions, which previously executive produced the Golden Globe and Academy Award-winning Best Picture Chicago. 

Hairspray is originally based on the 1988 John Waters comedy. 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 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 will be written by Leslie Dixon (Freaky Friday, Outrageous Fortune).

Toby Emmerich, New Line's president of production, is overseeing the project along with New Line's Executive VP of Production Mark Kaufman, and Creative Executives Michael Disco and Daryl Freimark.

A condensed production of Hairspray opened at the Luxor Las Vegas on February 15th. Originally starring Fierstein and Dick Latessa, the show closed on June 11th with Paul Vogt and Eddie Mekka as Edna and Wilbur, respectively.  On Broadway, it currently stars Shannon Durig, John Pinette, Stephen DeRosa, Darlene Love, Isabel Keating and more.

Visit www.hairsprayonbroadway.com for more information on Hairspray.