I love Jim Broadbent as you never know what role he is going to do next. Whatever role he chooses, however, you do know that he will deliver the same type of Broadbent energy. Having a thing for musicals, Broadbent has recently jumped aboard the Hairspray adaptation.
Jim Broadbent for Hairspray
According to Variety, New Line has picked up Jim Broadbent to play Wilbur Turnblad, the father of lead character Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray.
Broadbent joins John Travolta, Queen Latifah, Amanda Bynes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Zac Efron and newcomer Nikki Blonsky, who'll play Tracy.
Adam Shankman is directing and Craig Zadan and Neil Meron are producing from Leslie Dixon's script, based on the hit Broadway musical.
Broadbent, who won an Oscar for Iris, most recently was seen in Art School Confidential. He is co-starring with Colin Firth in And When Did You Last See Your Father?.
Hairspray begins filming on September 5th in Toronto. New Line is shooting for a December 21st, 2007 release.