Travolta-Latifah Star In "Hairspray"

"Hairspray": The Next 'New Line Cinema' Franchise

(AP) 

Marc Shaiman ("Sleepless in Seattle") and Scott Wittman will contribute new songs to their existing Tony Award winning score. Shaiman will also serve as the film's music supervisor and will compose the music score for the film as well as produce its songs. Wittman and Shaiman will also serve as executive producers on the film. The new screenplay for "Hairspray" is written by Leslie Dixon ("Freaky Friday," "Outrageous Fortune").

Emmerich is overseeing the project along with New Line's Executive VP of Production Mark Kaufman, and Creative Executives Michael Disco and Daryl Freimark.

Travolta burst into the dance musical world thirty years ago with "Saturday Night Fever" and packed a one-two punch the following year with the release of "Grease," the most successful movie musical of all time. Travolta was nominated for Oscars for "Fever" and "Pulp Fiction." He is represented by the William Morris Agency and attorneys Mike Ossi and Howard Butler.

"Hairspray" reunites Latifah with producers Zadan and Meron (she earned an Oscar and Golden Globe nomination for her work in "Chicago") and director Shankman (she starred in his blockbuster "Bringing Down The House"). Latifah is also represented by the William Morris Agency.

About New Line Cinema Corporation:
Founded almost 40 years ago, New Line Cinema is the most successful independent film company in the world. Its mission is to produce innovative, popular and profitable entertainment in the best creative environment. In addition to the production, marketing and distribution of theatrical motion pictures, the fully integrated studio has divisions devoted to home entertainment, television, music, theater, merchandising and an international unit. In 2005, New Line partnered with HBO to form Picturehouse, a new theatrical distribution company to release independent films. A pioneer in franchise filmmaking, New Line's Oscar-winning "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy is one of the most successful film franchises in history. New Line is a division of Time Warner, inc. (TWX).