The industry paper says the hunt for someone to helm the film, which may begin shooting in early 2006, continues. Choreographer Jerry Mitchell and director Jack O'Brien, who were set to collaborate on the film, departed the production earlier this year when the start date was moved from fall 2005 to spring 2006. At that time, New Line announced plans to release the film in summer 2007 rather than Christmas 2006.
Hairspray, based on the 1988 John Waters film of the same name, currently plays the Neil Simon Theatre. The show won 2003 Tony Awards for Best Score (Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman), Best Book (Thomas Meehan and Mark O'Donnell), Best Actress in a Musical (Marissa Jaret Winokur), Best Actor (Harvey Fierstein), Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Dick Latessa), Best Costume Design (William Ivey Long), Best Musical and Best Direction of a Musical.
