News

"Hairspray" Sequel in the Works

New Line Cinema and camp king John Waters have come to an agreement for the director to write a treatment for a sequel to last summer's hit musical remake Hairspray. The sequel will feature the return of director/choreographer Adam Shankman as well as the songwriters, who will pen new tunes for the second installment.

Cast details have yet to be ironed out, but the studio hopes to bring back most, if not all, of the original players, even though none of the actors had a sequel clause in their contracts for the first film. The studio hopes to pick up where the first film left off, chronicling the Turnblad family in segregated Baltimore in the 1960s.The planned release date is July 2010.

While musicals are not known for spawning franchises, last summer's version was a smash success, grossing more than $200 million worldwide. Critical accolades were not in short supply either, with John Travolta earning a Golden Globe nomination for donning a fat suit and drag to portray inspirational mother Edna Turnblad.

—The ARTISTdirect Staff
07.28.08