Though it was originally confirmed by New Line that Jim Broadbent would be playing Wilbur Turnblad in the upcoming Hairspray film-based-on-a-musical-based-on-a-film, Christopher Walken has been officially announced as Wilbur.
“Chris was the person Scott (Wittman, lyricist-composer) and I wanted in the first place, and this is a happy ending to this particular saga,” lyricist-composer Marc Shaiman said. “It seems like this part allows him to coalesce all his skills into one role. I am constantly pessimistic, but I look at this cast and feel like I’ve fallen into an old MGM musical.”
Joining Walken in the cast will be John Travolta, Queen Latifah, Amanda Bynes, Michelle Pfeiffer, James Marsden, Zac Efron and newcomer Nikki Blonsky.
Read all about the announcement at Variety>>>
