High School Musical's Efron is Hairspray Film's Link

Variety has reported that "High School Musical"'s Zac Efron has been cast as dance show prince Link Larkin in the upcoming film version of Hairspray.

Efron, who in "High School Musical" played the role of a teenager balancing his love between sports and theatre, was cast on the basis that he appear slightly less wholesome in the Hairspray movie.  In it, he will join the previously announced John Travolta as Edna Turnblad, Queen Latifah as Motormouth Maybelle, Amanda Bynes as Penny Pingleton and newcomer Nikki Blonsky as Tracy Turnblad, who helps to integrate a Baltimore dance show-and wins the heart of Link in the process.

"I was a bit dismissive, because that film is pure Disney, and I told him I needed a more subversive energy...He worked on it and he gave it to me," stated Adam Shankman (Bringing Down the House, The Pacifier), who is directing the film.

Efron, who was accepted into USC, now plans to postpone his college plans to make room for the Hairspray film, according to the article.  In addition to the wildly popular Disney TV musical, the actor's other film and TV credits include "Summerland," "CSI Miami," Miracle Run and "ER."  He has also appeared in productions of Gypsy, Peter Pan, Little Shop of Horrors and more.

The film version of Hairspray will be produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, for their Zadan/Meron Productions, which previously executive produced the Golden Globe and Academy Award-winning Best Picture Chicago. Production on Hairspray is scheduled to begin this fall for a potential summer 2007 release.

Hairspray is originally based on the 1988 John Waters comedy. The new version of the film will be based on New Line's hit Broadway adaptation of the film, which debuted in 2002, and went on to win eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Book and Best Director.

Marc Shaiman 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 will be written by Leslie Dixon (Freaky Friday, Outrageous Fortune).

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

A condensed production of Hairspray opened at the Luxor Las Vegas on February 15th. Originally starring Fierstein and Dick Latessa, the show closed on June 11th with Paul Vogt and Eddie Mekka as Edna and Wilbur, respectively.

Visit www.hairsprayonbroadway.com for more information on Hairspray.