Hairspray Movie Musical Sequel in the Works

A sequel to the movie version of Hairspray is in the works, with a projected release date of summer 2010, according to Variety. New Line Cinema has made a deal with Hairspray creator John Waters to write a treatment, and the Tony-winning team of Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman are reportedly on board to write new songs for the sequel. Director/choreographer Adam Shankman and producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron will also return.

"I never thought of musicals as franchises, but it certainly worked with High School Musical, and the idea of working with that cast again, and creating new material and music, is a dream come true," Shankman told Variety. "John [Waters] has such an original and extraordinary voice; we all can't wait to see what he has come up with."

The sequel will reportedly pick up the story of the Turnblad family after the resolution of the first film, which was set in 1962. Leslie Dixon adapted Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan's Tony-winning book into a screenplay, but no writer will be hired for the sequel until Waters completes his treatment.

Although none of the Hairspray movie cast, which included John Travolta Edna, Christopher Walken Wilbur, Nikki Blonsky Tracy, Zac Efron Link, Queen Latifah Motormouth Maybelle, Michelle Pfeiffer Velma, James Marsden Corny Collins, Amanda Bynes Penny, Elijah Kelley Seaweed, Brittany Snow Amber and Allison Janney Prudy, had sequel options, Variety reports that New Line hopes to reunite them for the new film.

Hairspray grossed more than $200 million worldwide and later became a strong-selling DVD and soundtrack album. Variety noted that a mid-July release would mirror the original film, which also proved successful this summer with Mamma Mia!

The Broadway production of Hairspray, which began previews six years ago this month and opened on August 15, 2002, continues its successful run at the Neil Simon Theatre, playing to 90.56% of capacity for the week ending July 20.