FROM THE NEWS ARCHIVES OF CINEMA CONFIDENTIAL

Billy Crystal, Aretha Franklin negotiating "Hairspray"
POSTED ON 03/08/05 AT 9:30 A.M.
BY ETHAN AAMES

Variety reports that Billy Crystal is in talks to play Wilbur Turnblad in New Line Cinema's modern film adaptation of the Broadway musical "Hairspray." Aretha Franklin is also negotiating to play R&B record shop owner Motormouth Maybelle. Should negotiations go well, they would join John Travolta, who is interested in playing Edna Turnblad, Wilbur's wife.

New Line said no offers would be made to cast the film until screenwriter Leslie Dixon ("Mrs. Doubtfire") finishes the script. She recently replaced the musical's original book writers, Thomas Meehan and Mark O'Donnell, on the project.

The film will go before cameras in September.