Today's USA Today reports that Amanda Bynes has been cast as Penny Pingleton in New Line's 2007 Hairspray adaptation, to be directed by Adam Shankman. Leslie Ann Powers played Penny in John Waters' 1988 original comedy/musical.
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.
Travolta will play Edna Turnblad and Queen Latifah will play Motormouth Maybelle in the film. Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman will contribute new songs to their Tony Award winning score.
Ok, let's review. "Hairspray" the John Waters film starring Ricki Lake and the legendary Waters actress Divine as Edna came out in 1988. They make it into a musical which was a success. So it has to be readapted to a movie because....
Apparently they did not watch "The Producers" go through the same cycle.
Anyways, I thought Edna Turnbald was a girl?! Is it a cross-dresser?
EDIT: Other musicals coming soon to the big screen: Dreamgirls, Bye Bye Birdie (another remake), Grease 3, and more! Unofficial, however. I'll let you know more later.
