Christopher Walken has finally found a place to put his considerable dance moves to use. He’s been cast in Hairspray, where Variety says he’ll play the role once thought to be going to Jim Broadbent, that of Wilbur Turnblad.
The New Line Cinema backed film is an adaptation of the popular stage musical, being helmed by Adam Shankman. One man dance machine John Travolta is playing the lead, with Amanda Bynes, Michelle Pfeiffer, James Marsden, and Zac Effron in the supporting cast.
What’s strange is that Hollywood still hasn’t caught on to the fact that the movie musical craze is over with. Maybe Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd will be worth watching, just for the weirdness of Johnny Depp singing and dancing, but since Chicago audience interest in the musical genre has gone right back into hibernation again. Unfortunately, Hollywood’s interest in doing them hasn’t followed suit.
So, until they lose enough money to wake them up, we’ll continue to see more of them. Hairspray starts shooting next month in Toronto, and will spritz into theaters summer 2007. They’d better use extra hold Aquanet if they want it to stick.
