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from MTV.com

Four years after her Oscar-nominated turn in 2002's "Chicago," Queen Latifah is bringing Broadway to the multiplex all over again.

Latifah will play Motormouth Maybelle in the upcoming feature-film remake of "Hairspray," based on both the

1988 film written and directed by John Waters and the Tony-winning Broadway musical. The former hip-hop MC says she'll inject even more feistiness into the already-lively role of the R&B record-shop owner/dance-show host/civil-rights activist.

"[Maybelle] has a bit of sass already, so I'll just bring what I can bring to it," Latifah said recently, bearing a sly grin. "We're still kind of a ways off [before we start filming], so I have some time to develop the character. But it's kind of funny because she speaks in rhyme and that's what I come from, so it'll be [especially] fun."

Adam Shankman — who directed Latifah in 2003's "Bringing Down the House" — will oversee the project, which is set to start filming in the fall. He will also choreograph the dance moves, while Neil Meron and Craig Zadan — who helped executive produce "Chicago" — will serve as executive producers for this flick as well.

Set in 1962, "Hairspray" tells the story of Tracy Turnblad, a tubby Baltimore teen who has dreams of landing a spot on a local dance show. When that dream is realized, the big-haired, bootylicious young woman uses her newfound stardom to break down racial barriers in her community.

The remake, due in 2007, will likely get a conventional overhaul, according to the Queen, but it will keep the spirit of the original film alive.

"We hope to make the project a little more edgy, a little more modern, but [still] make it just as fun as it has been in previous movies as well as on Broadway," she said. "We'll do a little singing, a little dancing, and I haven't really done that since 'Chicago,' so I'm looking forward to it.

The actress added that while she has been involved with the movie for a while, "John Travolta just agreed to do the movie, so right now it's just me and him. I think Billy Crystal is going to do it as well. We'll see who else is going to [come on board]."

Nearly 30 years after he rocked the box office with his disco-era dance moves, Travolta will slip into the high heels of Tracy's mother, Edna, who is typically played by a man in drag (Harvey Fierstein won a Tony for his rendition of the desperate housewife).

Crystal is still in talks to play Tracy's father, Wilbur. Not yet cast, however, is the lead role of Tracy — producers have been scouring for an unknown actress to nab the role. So far, New Line, the production company backing the film, has held auditions in New York, Atlanta and Chicago for an undiscovered talent to take on the role originally powered by bubbly actress-turned-talk-show-host Ricki Lake.

"I would love to see someone from the theater play that role and get a chance at film," Latifah said. "But I would also love to see someone who's been waiting in the wings. We'll see what happens, but some young woman out there is about to be very lucky."

The Queen also hinted that she might soon return to her music roots, infusing some much-beloved rap into her next album.

"It's going to be fusion," Latifah said of the follow-up to 2004's jazz-driven The Dana Owens Album. "Anything I do at this point will probably have a combination of [everything]. I've got too many things in me, and I gotta let it all out."

wow...this article really makes her come off as "simple".

I slept on that Dana Owens album.

CinisterCee said:

Well, I didn't care for it too much myself. I'm not interested in hearing the queen do ersatz jazz numbers, I want HIP HOP or rnb from here. But, I am GLAD to hear that she's going back to her roots on this next record. Wish it were a whole LP, but it's good enough for now.

But I just hope she doesn't do anything too trendy like a lot of established rapper/actors do (thinks Will Smith) and gets some of-the-moment sound that was already played out before she records it.

I remember "Go Head" from the Latifah's GH comp sounded like a Swizz Beats/Ruff Ryder anthem, but by the time she released it that sound had already fallen out of vogue.

Hope she doesn't do crunk or any Lil Jon type bullsh*t.

And why are they remaking "Hairspray"? I really hope John Waters isn't involved in this. The first one was so great because it was so inspired by that era from somebody who lived in it...It was Water's first and only family friendly movie (and it dealt with some very grown up issues). This is just a huge mistake. I think Queen Latifah might be good in it, though.

sosgemini said:

She's talking about ruining (John Travolta in Divine's shoes....please!)...I mean, remaking "Hairspray", not splitting the atom.

JANFAN4L said:

I slept during that album...Her voice is fine but it was boring as hell! I'm shocked she hasn't released a rap album yet....She was working on one in 2000 or so (they showed her putting down tracks during her BTM...It had a really provactive title, too). I remember really digging her song from the "Bringing Down The House" soundtrack "Better Than The Rest", which was a light R&B number. I would dig her doing more stuff like that and not trying to be trendy, like you said.


Off topic, does Queen do "Ladies First"? I know she does but does she do the verison that has a chorus where she or someone else keeps signing "Ohh, the ladies first, the ladies first". If not, who is that?

JANFAN4L said:

I like "Go Head."

what's her best lp in your opinion?

VinnyM27 said:

Only? Am I missing some subversive perversion in Crybaby?

A remake might work, but not the way they're describing it. I mean, Travolta replacing Divine? Get a real drag queen, at least!

The idea I like the least is updating it. That's exacty what ruins too many remakes of older movies or TV shows. Part of why John Waters' Hairspray is so great is because it's so silly and cheesy and blatantly a Water's film, despite being relatively tame by his standards.

On a positive note; done right, Queen Latifah has the potential to make for an awesome Motormouth.

if someone woulda told me in 1988 that there'd be a film remake of 'hairspray' based on a broadway musical adaptation, and that it would star john travolta in the divine role and would also feature queen latifah, i would have told them that crack kills.

VinnyM27 said:

I recall the talks about two albums coming out at the same time during the pre-buzz for the Dana Owens album. A rap album was supposedly going to be released concurrently. But I guess that never was recorded? It was mentioned in a short sentence in an entertainment article and never touched on again.

She can sing, though, I'll give her that (I loved her jazzy tribute to her brother on 1993's Black Reign entitled "Winki's Theme"), but I much prefer her as an emcee. I just love how she flows and she's a great MC FIRST -- she came up in the rap game by way of KRS-One and the Boogie Down Productions crew, so the woman has history in the genre. She is a pioneer and hip hop icon (brings so much wholeness to the genre and represents it WELL in the mainstream).

Yep. Queen La performed the chorus in "Ladies First." It was a hit back in 1989-90 on MTV. I used to see the video with Monie Love ALL the time on Yo! MTV Raps back in the day.

Two great songs you should check out if you like Latifah's singing voice are "It's Alright (feat. Faith Evans)" from the Nothing To Lose SDTK which is also available on her '97 "Order In The Court" LP and Motown greatest hits collection. Plus, there's songs from the "Living Out Loud" Soundtrack that are fabulous most notably "Goin' Out Of My Head." The buzz from that song (and her work on that SDTK especially) was the precursor to her later creating the Dana Owens album.

badujunkie said:

Great question. Own her entire catalogue (minus the Dana Owens album), so I 'll side with "Black Reign" simply due to the fact that I play the album incessantly. I can play it anywhere (when I'm in the kitchen cooking, when I'm driving, on the freeway, roadtrips, on my iPod, etc.) It is one of my absolute favorite albums from the '90s. I strongly recommend picking it up because it grooves and I love her rhymes on it.

On the flip side, many hip hop heads will probably say her best LP is "All Hail The Queen" (1989) and it IS a classic album. I will agree. Love "Wrath of My Madness," "Princess of the Posse," "Ladies First," etc. But Black Reign is just an album that flows so much with me and my personal life. It's one of my soundtracks.

LOVE this movie to bits and queen is gonna be great as motormouth but this



that dont sound too good. interesting, but not good. we'll see how this turns out

meow85 said:

I don't think "Crybaby" was adult but it wasn't something you could take any kid to see. I think it was rated PG-13 while "Hairspray" was PG. It was a little bit edgier...yeah, nothing like his early films or my favorite, "Serial Mom".

meow85 said:

While some that question Travolta's sexual preference will say that this is an excuse for him to put on a dress in public, I know the truth. It's an excuse to put on fifty pounds! If he is gay for anything, it's chilli cheese fries!

JANFAN4L said:

But I can't find anything with her singing the chorus...Which album/collection features that?

It's a sad, sad day when a John Water's movie needs a "more edgy" re-make. I'm also curious 2 see how a movie set in 1962 can b made "a little more modern".

So, yeah. In closing "I's a skirred"

VinnyM27 said:

That version of "Ladies First" is not on the album...it's the same version that was used for the video...


I really loved Latifah's first 2 albums...Nature of a sista I thought was tight it had "How do i love thee" which was an experimental track for La.

VinnyM27 said:

I think Crybaby's alright for older kids.

VinnyM27 said:

Gay or not, I just can't see Travolta doing good drag.

meow85 said:

I want to see him get as Divine was and say that it was for the role!

well, michael mckean (lenny from "lenny and squiggy", also the dude from spinal tap) played edna on broadway for a while, and apparently he did a good job...he wore a fatty suit for the role. vinnie barbarino is getting a little zaftig these days, but nowhere near divine proportions. i dunno. i just can't see this casting. divine would be spinning in her grave if she had the room.

Anx said:

u know u aint right!

Anx said:

Oh Lord. Anx, u are crazy!

Are they redoing the movie or are they just putting together a live production?

Anx said: