New Line has pushed the start date of the movie musical "Hairspray" from this Fall to Spring 2006, and co-directors Jerry Mitchell and Jack O'Brien have left the production reports Variety.
The studio has drawn up a short list of replacements, topped by "Chicago" helmer Rob Marshall, and shifted its projected "Hairspray" release from Christmas 2006 to Summer 2007. New Line confirmed the exits of Mitchell, who choreographed the stage musical, and O'Brien, who won a Tony for directing it.
The duo had been set to co-direct since New Line announced its feature plans. The six-month postponement was the reason for the exits, said the studio, creating scheduling conflicts."Hairspray" will now shoot in spring.
The directing change may alter casting and choreography. John Travolta had been approached to play Edna Turnblad, but no real offers have been made nor will deals be set until "Mrs. Doubtfire" scribe Leslie Dixon completes her rewrite and a director is hired.
Thanks to 'Woof'.
