Crystal And Franklin Get Hairspray

Today brings more rumours for the casting of Hairspray movie-turned-musical-turned-musical-movie. Erstwhile Oscar-host and occasional comedian Billy Crystal is now in talks to join the cast, as is soul legend and all-round musical goddess Aretha Franklin. Crystal is currently starring in his own Broadway show, 700 Sundays, an autobiographical two-act play about Crystal's own life focusing on his relationship with his father. He's being targeted for the role of Wilbur Turnblad, the father of heroine Tracy. It was originally played by Jerry Stiller in the 1988 John Waters film, but clearly they're going for a completely different New York comedy legend. And if Crystal's stint as Oscar-host showed anything, it proved that he could sing and dance, which might come in handy for the role. Aretha Franklin, of course, is the singer of such songs as "Respect", "Think", "Chain of Fools" and "Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves". To date, she's only ever appeared in two movies with the words Blues Brothers in the title, but she's in negotiations to play record shop owner Motormouth Maybelle. That role was originally played by Ruth Brown, who preceeded Aretha as Atlantic Records' foremost lady star. Since we're always partial to a little soul here at Empire, we're looking forward to the prospect. Meanwhile, we got a few words from John Travolta about his proposed role in the film, as Edna Turnblad. "I've been offered the role as the mother in Hairspray. I have no idea whether to take it