Don’t dream it, be it. And that’s exactly what Fox is doing with their “Rocky Horror Picture Show” TV movie remake, by casting Laverne Cox in the lead as Dr. Frank-N-Furter.
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Kenny Ortega (“Hocus Pocus” and “High School Musical”) will direct, choreograph and executive produce this new two-hour TV movie event alongside original movie producer Lou Adler.
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The production aims to stick close to the original, innuendo-laced script from 1975. And while it will be enjoyable to watch Fox squirm around some of the more salacious moments, all that matters is who they cast to fill Tim Curry’s high heels. And now we know, “Orange is the New Black’s” Cox will play the mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Cox took to Twitter to reveal her own joy at landing the part.
This is by no means the first revival or revision of “Rocky Horror.” Actors David Arquette, Julian McMahon are just a few of the many folks who have donned the thigh-high stockings of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Even the kids from “Glee” took a turn singing tunes from the science fiction double-feature picture show.
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2010 - Actors Danny DeVito and Jack Nicholson performed together for “The Rocky Horror Picture Show’s” 35th anniversary at the Wiltern in Los Angeles.
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1981 - Scene from the premiere performance of “The Rocky Horror Show” at the Aquarius Theater in Palo Alto.
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1991 - Cast members from the “Rocky Horror” performance gather on stage at the Balboa Theatre in Los Angeles.
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1997 - The Rocky Horror Picture Show Regatta held at Cal State Fullerton featured miniature boats powered by rubber bands. The boats were put in the courtyard pool in the art department complex, and raced down lanes constructed with foam partitions.
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1995 - Members of the Long Beach–based Midnight Insanity troupe perform their weekly “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” shadowcast gig.
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1999 - Dr. Frank N Furter (David Arquette) is flanked by Magenta (Kirsten Benton), right, and Columbia (Hynden Walch) during a photo session promoting Richard O’Brien’s “Rocky Horror Show,” staged at the Tiffany Theater in West Hollywood.
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1999 - The cast of Richard O’Brien’s “The Rocky Horror Show” during a photo session, at the Tiffany Theater in West Hollywood.
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1999 - Dr. Scott (Eric Leviton) is the center of attention as the cast of “The Rocky Horror Show” perform the “Time Warp” at the Tiffany Theater in West Hollywood.
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2010– John Stamos joined the cast of “Glee” for a “Rocky Horror” tribute. Pictured here with Jayma Mays.
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2010 -- Actor Julian McMahon (“Nip/Tuck”) as Frank N Furter for the “The Rocky Horror Picture Show’s” 35th anniversary. The event at the Wiltern in Los Angeles benefited the Painted Turtle summer camp.
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2010 - Actors Danny DeVito and Jack Nicholson performed together for “The Rocky Horror Picture Show’s” 35th anniversary at the Wiltern in Los Angeles.
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2010 -- Actor Matthew Morrison and actress Lea Michele as Brad and Janet for the “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” 35th anniversary to benefit the Painted Turtle at the Wiltern in Los Angeles.
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2010 - Actors Lucas Grabeel, Melora Hardin and Evan Rachel Wood perform onstage for “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” 35th anniversary at the Wiltern in Los Angeles.
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2010 - Julian McMahon as Dr. Frank N Furter during “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” 35th anniversary to benefit the Painted Turtle at the Wiltern in Los Angeles.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images) Cox is an exciting casting choice and it makes us all shiver with antici... pation. The revival will air in 2016.
If you’re interested in doing the “Time Warp” again, check out our 40th anniversary celebration of the “Rocky Horror Picture Show.”
Twitter: @MdellW
