Pfeiffer plays villain in 'Hairspray' film

TORONTO, July 17 (UPI) -- Michelle Pfeiffer is rounding out the cast of the film version of the Tony-award-winning musical "Hairspray," with shooting set to begin in Toronto Sept. 5.

John Travolta, Queen Latifah, Amanda Bynes, Zac Efron and newcomer Nikki Blonsky have already signed on to the New Line production, Daily Variety reported.

Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman are writing new songs, including one for Pfeiffer, who crooned in "The Fabulous Baker Boys," and is set to play the evil Velma von Tussel in "Hairspray."

Pfeiffer has played a "delicious villain in roles like Catwoman," Director Adam Shankman said.

Von Tussel, a former Miss Baltimore Crabs beauty queen, is now the tough owner of a Baltimore television station. "Velma is this amazing mess of contradictions," Shankman said. "I'm going to dress and wig Michelle to death."

The plan is to release the film Dec. 21, 2007.