With NBC's "The Wiz Live" and "A Sound of Music Live," being successful and so well-received, the network has decided that "Hairspray" will be the next live musical that they're going to tackle.
"I'm happy to say that we are hopefully going to be producing a live new movie of 'Hairspray' next December," network boss Robert Greenblatt announced at the Television Critics Association press tour on Wednesday, according to Entertainment Weekly. He also revealed that producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, who worked on the live productions of "The Wiz," "Peter Pan" and "Sound of Music," will be returning for the project. Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman are also set to return as composers. "
"The deals aren't closed yet," Greenblatt added, according to NBC News. "That's all we have so far. They know what they're doing and we're really excited. That title seems really fun and I think it will be really great live."
"Hairspray" was created by John Waters and began as a movie in 1988 starring Ricki Lake before it officially hit Broadway in 2002. Then in 2007, another more modernized film adaptation was created starring John Travolta, Zac Efron, Queen Latifah, Christopher Walken and Amanda Bynes.
"The Wiz Live!" brought in 11.1 million viewers this past December and even delivered a 3.3 rating in adults 19-49, so the network knew that they needed another big title to hopefully continue on with the success. While "A Sound of Music Live" brought in 19 million viewers and had a 4.6 rating, "Peter Pan Live" wasn't as big, as it only brought in 9.2 million viewers and got a 2.4 rating.
Fox has joined in on the live musical action with their latest adaptation of the hit movie "Grease," which will air on Jan. 31, as HNGN previously reported. "Grease: Live" will star Julianne Hough, Aaron Tveit, Vanessa Hudgens, Keke Palmer, Carly Rae Jepsen, Kether Donohue, Carlos PenaVega, Mario Lopez, Ana Gasteyer and Boys II Men.
