Michelle Pfeiffer In Talks to Join Hairspray

The film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, Hairspray, is in final negotiations to land Oscar-nominated star Michelle Pfeiffer, as Velma von Tussell. Michelle Pfeiffer is no stranger to film musicals, breaking through in Grease 2 and singing in The Fabulous Baker Boys. If cast, Michelle Pfeiffer would join the already signed John Travolta as Edna Turnblad, Amanda Bynes as Penny Pingleton, Brittany Snow as Amber von Tussel, Queen Latifah as Motormouth Maybelle, Elijah Kelley as Seaweed, Zac Efron as Link Larkin, and Nikki Blonsky as Tracy Turnblad.

The movie itself is having a coming home of sorts with Hairspray having originally been adapted to Broadway from a 1988 film by John Waters that starred Ricki Lake and Divine. That film, about a Baltimore variety show, wasn't a musical, but music played a major role and, as the cult audience for the John Waters film grew, Broadway seemed like a natural fit. Hairspray the play went on to win eight Tony awards including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Book, and Best Director. Now it's back to film, for which Leslie Dixon has written the screenplay and Adam Shankman (Bringing Down the House) will direct. Reuters reported on a few details, "The New Line project is being directed by Adam Shankman. Production is scheduled to begin in the fall, with a December 21, 2007, release date. Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman are contributing new songs to their existing Tony-winning score. Shaiman also will serve as the film's music supervisor and compose the music score for the film as well as produce its songs."

Hairspray, now possibly starring Michelle Pfeiffer and definitely starring John Travolta (stars of both Grease films), has to start filming on September 5th, according to Movie Hole. The site also reports that Hairspray won't get back to the streets of Baltimore, where the first film was shot and where the plot of both the film and stage musical are set, choosing to film entirely in Toronto instead. Hairspray was originally going to try and hit theaters by next summer, but has been pushed back to December because of New Line's crowded summer slate.

Michelle Pfeiffer, 48, has had a long and illustrious career in Hollywood, but has slowed her output in recent years. After Grease 2, she stole hearts in the 80s in Scarface, Ladyhawke, The Witches of Eastwick, Tequila Sunrise, Married to the Mob, Dangerous Liaisons, and The Fabulous Baker Boys. For at least half a decade there, Michelle Pfeiffer was one of the hottest actresses in Hollywood. The early 90s continued strong for Michelle Pfeiffer with scene-stealing turns in Batman Returns, Wolf, The Age of Innocence, Dangerous Minds, One Fine Day, and Up Close & Personal. Since 2000's mega-hit What Lies Beneath, Michelle Pfeiffer has only starred in three movies - I Am Sam, White Oleander, and Sinbad - and nothing since 2003. Hairspray could be part of a Michelle Pfeiffer comeback though, as she's in some stage of production on three major films - Amy Heckerling's I Could Never Be Your Woman, Matthew Vaughn's Stardust, and David E. Kelley's Chasing Montana.

[Additional Sources: Reuters, Movie Hole, IMDB]