In truly fabulous and unexpected casting news, Emmy-nominated actress Laverne Cox has been cast as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the upcoming Fox remake of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. While casting news for remakes of beloved properties often elicits a shrug or groan, maybe a stream of tears, this casting might be one of the most gasp-worthy developments in the history of remakes. I’d say I’m being dramatic, but I actually gasped out loud after reading this. And it wasn’t out of fear or dread — it was out of joy.
How ridiculously unpredictable is this? The history-making star of Orange Is the New Black became the first transgender actress to be nominated for an Emmy award and plays a prominent transgender character. And now, she’s going to play the sexually-liberated, gender-defying Frank-N-Furter made famous by Tim Curry, who originated the role onstage and on the screen. Could they have gone with another male in heels? Sure. Could it have been Neil Patrick Harris or someone of his ilk? Probably. In fact, that’s probably what everyone was expecting. Would we have ever in a million years expected Cox? (Which is the most fun and cheeky question I could probably ask?) No.
Laverne Cox has had a life’s journey living as both genders and probably comes from a place that would lend itself amazingly well to a sweet transvestite from Transexual, Transylvania. And if she won the role, then surely she can sing. We know she can strut. And we’re gonna watch her do that in the fall of 2016.
(Via Deadline)
