Laverne Cox cast as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in ‘Rocky Horror’ TV remake
Laverne Cox, right, has been cast in the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” remake as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, who was played by Tim Curry, left, in the 1975 movie.
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.
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.
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.
I am so excited that the news is out. I am so honored to be a part of the Rocky Horror legacy.… https://t.co/5guzt7WTyd
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.
(Frazer Harrison / Getty Images)
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1981 - Scene from the premiere performance of “The Rocky Horror Show” at the Aquarius Theater in Palo Alto.
(Iris Schneider / Los Angeles Times)
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1991 - Cast members from the “Rocky Horror” performance gather on stage at the Balboa Theatre in Los Angeles.
(David Muronaka / Los Angeles Times)
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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.
(Alex Garcia / Los Angeles Times)
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1995 - Members of the Long Beach–based Midnight Insanity troupe perform their weekly “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” shadowcast gig.
(Shannan Tomaino / Los Angeles Times)
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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.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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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.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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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.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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2010– John Stamos joined the cast of “Glee” for a “Rocky Horror” tribute. Pictured here with Jayma Mays.
(Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
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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.
(Frazer Harrison / Getty Images)
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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.
(Frazer Harrison / Getty Images)
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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.
(Frazer Harrison / Getty Images)
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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.
(Frazer Harrison / Getty Images)
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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.
Meredith Woerner is the former editor for Hero Complex. She previously worked as senior reporter for io9.com, Gawker Media’s science fiction and futurism site. A graduate of University of Missouri, she has penned a vampire guidebook, witnessed Harrison Ford fight aliens (twice), and booped Rocket Raccoon’s prop nose when no one was looking on the set of “Guardians of the Galaxy.”
