Adam Shankman talked about the Hairspray sequel at the 17 Again press conference, the new Zac Efron movie that Adam produced.

Listen here: HAIRSPRAY 2: YOU CAN’T STOP THE BEAT - Hollywood Celebrity and Entertainment Daily News

Marc Shaiman is in the process of writing all new songs as they refine the script and storyline. Adam was originally opposed to the idea, but says that they’ve hit on a really good story that takes place four years after the first movie ends. He says its basically going to be an anti-war musical!

Gus Van Sant Mentions Nikki in Zac's Interview Magazine Interview:




Gus Van Sant:"There's this one scene where you're looking at Nikki Blonsky and singing to her and you're kinda humping the microphone. I was just wondering about that one move. Was that an Adam Shankman invention? Or did that just happen?"
Zac Efron: "Right there, something just happened.When you're in moment you just do things. So that was natural."
Gus Van Sant:"It was a great moment...."

THE BIG SCREEN SCENE: Nikki Blonsky tells us if the John Waters/Adam Shankman "Hairspray" sequel does become a reality, "I would love to be a part of it." Blonsky, who was plucked out of obscurity to portray Tracy Turnblad in the first film, notes, "Tracy's a character who shows that everybody is equal, and we should all have fun and just live and let live. I would love nothing more than to get out there and spread that message again."

In the meantime, Blonsky, who just wrapped the movie "Waiting for Forever" with Rachel Bilson, says she's trying to spread a similar message of her own. "You can measure the size of my hips, my legs and my waist, but you can't measure the size of someone's talent. That is irrefutable," notes the plus-sized actress. "If someone is talented and they've got what people need to play a part in a movie or TV show, then it shouldn't matter what size or shape you are," she adds.
"Luckily, things are changing. We've got a new president. It's going to be a good year."

Nov 26, 2008, 04:00 PM | by Lindsay Soll

Poof up your pompadours and put on your dancing shoes: Last year's musical hit Hairspray is one bop closer toward a sequel. "We just got an outline and some ideas from John Waters, and now we're going out to writers," director Adam Shankman tells EW exclusively. The story will follow Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) and her pals as they navigate the "next era of music," the late '60s. "That period was superpolitical," Shankman adds, "it was a time of serious change." No kidding: According to the filmmaker, heartthrob Link (Zac Efron) will channel his inner Austin Powers and become steeped in the British Invasion. "We're trying to track, in a comedic way, the historical elements."

Friday, October 3, 2008
By Nancy Van Valkenburg
Standard-Examiner Staff

OGDEN -- Ogden's Historic 25th Street stars once again as small-town America in a feature film, "Waiting for Forever," which completed a multiday shoot in the city on Thursday.

The romantic film is directed by James Keach, who also shot "Blind Dating" (2006) here.

"That's not why we chose Ogden, though," said "Waiting for Forever" producer Trevor Albert, whose other producing credits include "Because of Winn-Dixie," "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" and "Groundhog Day."

"We drove all over looking for the quintessential small town, and 25th Street really fits the bill," Albert said.

The film stars Tom Sturridge ("Like Minds") as Will, a free-spirited street performer who wants to reconnect with Emma, a girl who was his best friend and first love when both were 7. Will was orphaned shortly after, and raised elsewhere. Adult Emma, now a television actress, is played by Rachel Bilson ("The O.C.," "Jumper").

"Will learns that Emma's father is sick and she is going back to her hometown to see him," Albert said. "Will decides to go back to the town where he lost his girlfriend and find her again."

The small town is never named, nor is the state. It gives the story a fairy tale-like quality, Albert said.

Shots filmed in Ogden include Will being dropped off by a couple who picked him up when he was hitchhiking; Will whooping and hollering as he races into a bank to greet his conservative businessman brother; and Will "accidentally" running into Emma as she walks down the street.

"She's amazed at the coincidence of running into him after so many years," Albert said. "She's trying to figure out just how crazy this guy is and what he is up to. He is reluctant to tell her he is a street performer and was waiting for her."

The body of the story is about how Will, described as a Buster Keaton/Charlie Chaplin type of character, uses his offbeat charms to pursue this woman. It's an off-kilter romance, Albert said.

The shoot moves to the Salt Lake City area today, and lots of the remaining scenes are interiors, Albert said. Also appearing in the film are Richard Jenkins ("The Visitor"), playing Emma's father; Blythe Danner ("Huff," "Meet the Fockers"), playing Emma's mother; and Nikki Blonsky ("Hairspray") as Will's childhood friend, now married to another childhood friend played by Scott Mechlowicz ("Gone," "Peaceful Warrior").

Albert said "Waiting for Forever" will be released in 2009.

Albert has enjoyed the Utah shoot so far.

"The people have been so nice to us," he said. "I love shooting in Utah. I had never done it before. I've shot movies all over the world. The Utah crew is one of the best I have worked with."

Other projects that have shot scenes in the Ogden area include "Everwood," "Touched by an Angel," Disney's "Halloweentown" movies, the TV film "Anya's Bell" and various independent films.