Completing an odd cycle of casting that includes the replacement of two other actors, Christopher Walken has signed on to play Wilbur Turnblad in New Line's musical HAIRSPRAY. Walken replaces Oscar-winner Jim Broadbent who himself replaced Billy Crystal. Commenting on the casting carousel, director Adam Shankman said, "Chris was the person [composer] Scott [Shaiman] and I wanted in the first place, and this is a happy ending to this particular saga." Those who've seen Walken in Spike Jonze's "Weapon of Choice" know the man's got fancy feet and will duet with Travolta, in drag as his wife Edna, on the song "Timeless." In addition to the cast, New Line also announced they've pushed up the release date from next December to next summer. Walken joins Travolta, Queen Latifah, Amanda Bynes, Michelle Pfeiffer, James Marsden, Zac Efron and Nikki Blonsky. He can be seen next in MAN OF THE YEAR and the ping-pong comedy BALLS OF FURY.
Extra Tidbit:
Christopher Walken would've been great in SNAKES ON A PLANE if Samuel L. Jackson wasn't available.
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5:01PM on 08/17/2006