The famous cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show is coming back to the screens with an amazing remake. Stars such as Laverne Cox, Victoria Justice, Reeve Carney, Annaleigh Ashford, Christina Millian and Ryan McCartan were in Toronto, Canada in March and April filming Fox’s Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let´s Do the Warp Again.
The original musical was written by Richard O’Brien on 1975 and it has been the longest-running theatrical release ever since. Fans are very excited for its premiere on October 20th on City and Fox. The film has raked in $112 million at the box office, and Kenny Ortega, the mind behind the famous Dirty Dancing dance numbers and director of High School Musical, is the choreographer.
Ben Vereen, who is playing Dr. Everett Von Scott, said that this was not a straight remake but rather a tribute to the original one. Some things are not the same, for example, it will show the audience’s participation. At some points, the camera will turn and show a theater audience throwing popcorns and being giggly.
Adam Lambert, the American Idol star, is playing the role of Eddie, famously portrayed by Meat Loaf. Reeve Carney is playing Riff Raff, Annaleigh Ashford is doing Columbia, Christina Millian Magenta, Ryan McCarten is playing Brad. The memorable performance of Susan Sarandon as Janet will be portrayed by Victoria Justice, who is mainly recognized for her role in the Nickelodeon series “Victorious.” About this, Justice stated that she wanted to show the public that she is no longer a 17-year-old girl and that now she’s looking for more mature and not childish roles to interpret as an actress.
Dr. Frank-N-Furter
But the most exciting decision was the lead role, Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a mad transvestite scientist, that will be played by Laverne Cox. She got to fame with her role in the Netflix series Orange is the New Black, where she portrays Sophia, owner of a hairdressing salon and mother of a boy.
Cox admits she hesitated when they offered her the role only because of one reason. The song “Sweet Transvestite,” in which the words transvestite and transsexual are used often and seen as transphobic. The actress declared that that was an old term and does not want people being confused about it. Calling someone a transvestite nowadays is disrespectful, but in the historical context of Rocky Horror, it is appropriate. This is what made her decide to say yes. She also established that it was a challenging role and she played it channeling a 60 percent of Grace Jones, a 30 percent of Tina Turner and a 10 percent of Beyoncé.
Actors agree on saying that more than a sexual thing, Rocky Horror Picture Show is about outcasts and being whoever you want to be. It sends a message about being authentic. They wanted to portray it, so this new generation knows about it and the idea behind it.
The movie gets to the screen just in time for Halloween, when it´s been a tradition for a long time ago. Excitement arises and Tim Curry, the original Frank-N-Furter, already approved the remake.
Source: USA Today