By Greg Kalafatas
08 Sep 2006

John Travolta has suited up for his role as mother hen Edna in New Line Cinema's "Hairspray."

The first publicity shot has been released of John Travolta and Nikki Blonsky as mother-daughter team Edna and Tracy Turnblad. "Hairspray," under the direction of Adam Shankman, also stars Queen Latifah as Motormouth Maybelle, Christopher Walken as Wilbur Turnblad, Amanda Bynes as Penny Pingleton, Zac Efron as Link Larkin, Brittany Snow as Amber von Tussel, Michelle Pfeiffer as Velma von Tussel, James Marsden as Corny Collins and Elijah Kelly as Seaweed.

Filming for the motion picture has begun in Toronto. Featuring a screenplay by Leslie Dixon, "Hairspray" — with a score by Marc Shaiman and Wittman — is scheduled to finish principle photography Dec. 8, 2006 with an official release date of July 20, 2007.

John Travolta and Nikki Blonsky as Edna and Tracy Turnblad in "Hairspray."
photo by New Line Cinema