The Hollywood Reporter says that Pfeiffer will likely play Velma von Tussel — aka Miss Baltimore Crabs — in the film based on the Broadway musical, which is itself based on the classic John Waters film. Linda Hart created the role of von Tussel on Broadway. Pfeiffer would join a film cast that includes the previously announced John Travolta as Edna Turnblad, Queen Latifah as Motormouth Maybelle, Amanda Bynes as Penny Pingleton, Zac Efron as Link Larkin, Brittany Snow as Amber von Tussel, Elijah Kelly as Seaweed and Nikki Blonsky as Tracy Turnblad.

Craig Zadan and Neil Meron are producing "Hairspray" for New Line Cinema. Adam Shankman will direct the film, which is scheduled to begin production in the fall.

Featuring a screenplay by Leslie Dixon, “Hairspray” — with a score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman — is expected to hit movie theatres around the country Dec. 21, 2007.

Michelle Pfeiffer was nominated for Academy Awards for her performances in "Love Field," "The Fabulous Baker Boys" and "Dangerous Liaisons." Her previous movie musical outing was the 1982 flop "Grease 2."

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.