Hairspray Movie Sequel No Longer in the Works

Apparently you can stop the beat. Plans for a sequel to the successful 2007 Hairspray movie adaptation have been scrapped. “That got killed,” the film’s director Adam Shankman told the UK Press Association, adding “It’s ok, I was so happy with the first one; let’s leave well enough alone.”

In July 2008, a year after Hairspray took in over $118 million in its U.S. release, New Line Cinema drafted a deal with creator John Waters and Tony winning team of Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman to write a treatment and songs for the film. No plot details were revealed, but the film was expected to take place in the changing music scene of the late 60s. A release date was originally planned for this summer.

The Broadway production of Hairspray opened at the Neil Simon Theatre on August 15, 2002, and played for 2642 performances before closing in 2009. The show received eight Tony Awards including Best Musical.