Rocky Horror Picture Showis sacred ground. It is the longest runningmidnight moviein history, and it still plays every weekend all throughout the country. So a remake might not be taken so lightly by its legion of fans. Even if the movie is taking some bold steps in diversifying its cast. Everyone’s favorite doctor from Transsexual, Transylvania is back. But ol' Frank-N-Furter sure looks a lot different than way back in 1975. This time out, the character is played byOrange is the New BlackstarLaverne Cox. And we have a first look courtesy ofEW, with her standing next to iconic actorBen Vereenas Dr. Scott. About taking over forTim Curry,Coxsays this.
“I get tweets from people, ‘Please don’t f- up Rocky Horror Picture Show!’ I showed my brother pictures of me in character and he was like, ‘You were preparing your whole life for this.'”
Yes, Frank does look a lot different than we remember. But this was by design. Tony-winnerWilliam Ivey Longcreated the all-new costumes. About this make-over for Furter,Coxexplains.
“We were on set and a reporter saw me and said I looked like the love child of Grace Jones andDavid Bowie. I said ‘That’s exactly right.’ I think we mix up the look more than they did in the original. It’s inspired by the original but it’s really our own take. It’s way more elaborate and couture. [Director] Kenny Ortega had this vision that Frank was at this old theater and found these old burlesque costumes and is, like, using them and wearing them now but has altered them a bit.”
JoiningCox’s Frank-N-Furter isChristina Milianas Magenta.Lavernedescribes the whole experience, especially working withMillian, as magical. Perhaps even life-changing when it comes to the legendary musical numbers.Coxgoes onto say this.
“When I started training again last year, I started working my chest voice. As a trans woman with a low voice, I had been so afraid of those low tones. This is a character where it’s absolutely appropriate that I sing in the base baritone register that I have. What’s also fun is playing with those higher notes in my register too. This is sort of my professional singing debut. But it’s been wonderful claiming my chest voice. It’s been really healing.”
The Rocky Horror Picture Show Eventis coming to Fox this fall. The rest of the cast also includes Reeve Carney (Riff Raff), Annaleigh Ashford (Columbia), Victoria Justice (Janet), Ryan McCartan (Brad), Adam Lambert (Eddie), and a cameo by Tim Curry asThe Rocky Horror Narrator. This is the first time Frank has been played by a Trans woman. But not the first time a female has taken on the role.Amber Rileyplayed Frank in the now iconicGleeepisodeThe Rocky Horror Glee Showin Season 2 of that popular Fox series. Without further ado, here’s the new Frank-N-Furter in all the Extraterrestrial’s wild glory.
