News and Gossip - mcomet.com

Not long ago we brought you word here that Jim Broadbent had booted and replaced by Chris Walken in the upcoming new movie musical version of Hairspray being fronted by John Travolta. Well it maybe that's not exactly true.

It seems the boys over at Cinematical spend their time surfing Broadway sites (not sure what that says about them), and in doing so stumbled on a blurb from Broadway World which indicates that Broadbent wasn't replaced so much as he simply left. Their story says Broadbent was already signed for Hairspray, when he got a better offer from another musical, namely Tim Burton's in progress Sweeney Todd.

Broadbent, perhaps concerned that his waistline might be rivaled by the aging Travolta's, jumped ship and joined Timmy's flick instead. What we don't know yet is exactly what role Jim will play in Sweeney Todd, but whatever it is you've got to agree with his decision. Hairspray was a tired idea before it even went into pre-production. At least a violent musical directed by Tim Burton is something different. Way to go Jim!

http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Broadbent-Flips-For-Burton-3265.html