Earlier this year, Fox announced plans for a THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW television special to celebrate the film's 40th anniversary, and now Variety has learned that Orange is the New Black actress Laverne Cox has been cast as Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Cox became the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an Emmy acting award for her role as Sophia Burset on the Netflix series, and recently appeared in the Paul Weitz-directed comedy-drama GRANDMA.
The two-hour event special has been described as a reimagined take on the cult movie, which was based on the original stage musical by Richard O'Brien. High School Musical’s Kenny Ortega will direct and choreograph the project, as well as executive produce alongside Lou Adler, who also served as an executive producer on the 1975 film. Gail Berman (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel) is also producing through her Jackal Group with Fox 21 Television Studios.
What are your thoughts on Laverne Cox playing the sweet transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania? Do you think she'll be able to top (or at least match) Tim Curry's performance as the sexually ambiguous alien scientist?
Fox's revival special of THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW is expected to air in fall of 2016.