Long gone are the days when director John Waters made a career of shocking movie moments like drag queen Divine’s notorious doggie-doo dinner in 1972′s Pink Flamingos. Now, nearly 40 years after he became a cult icon and about 20 years after he started to become semi-respectable (ever since his 1988 hit Hairspray), Waters is going mainstream with a vengeance. Not only is the Tony-winning Broadway musical adaptation of Hairspray being turned into a star-stacked 2007 big-screen remake — featuring names like John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer and High School Musical hottie Zac Efron — but Waters is also finally crossing the final bad-boy taboo: he’s making a movie for kids. Yes, really!
Waters revealed exclusively to EW that he’s currently at work on "a terribly wonderful children’s Christmas adventure called Fruitcake. It is a children’s film," he said. "One that I’ve been working on a long time, and I’m hoping to start shooting it in the fall. It’s a very special film, and it’s one that could appeal to children that are especially creative." Which means, no doubt, less polished Disney cheer, more Corpse Bride dark wit.
Though Waters says he has a cast in mind, he claims his lips will remain sealed on the details for the time being. And what the MPAA ratings board will think of it all will have to wait as well.
What do you think, PopWatchers? Is a John Waters children’s movie a sign of the apocalypse, or proof that no one stays avant-garde forever? Think Waters can pull off a film that will delight kids without freaking out their parents? And how eager are you to see (and to take your kids to see) the finished product?
I believe that whatever John does from here until the end will ALWAYS be “A John Waters’ Film’.. It will please kids, as well as his loyal fans. i see it a something along the lines of ‘Pee Wee’s Playhouse’..
i mean Heck, even David Lynch made a G-rated film without compromising any of his artistic style..
I think that in a lot of ways, the strange characters that inhabit the universe of John Waters films are just like characters in kids films, but with an NC-17 twist. Take the “filthiest people alive” and turn them into the “meanest people alive,” and its a Disney movie! Don’t you think that sea witch in The Little Mermaid kinda looked like Divine?
That being said, i’ll have to see this before I let my kids see it.
Yeah, this guy is a freak. I mean, I know he’s like this icon in the homosexual community and everything. But I hate him. He’s just creepy. How do you support anyone that gave that slob like Ricki Lake her start. Gross.
weirdo, try expanding your comfort level to something bigger than a breadbox. “I mean, I know he’s like this icon in the homosexual community and everything?” Do you have the first clue of what he’s done for cinema in general and independent film in particular? I was waiting for you to say “I mean, like, um, some of my best friends are gay.” And if you think Ricky Lake is a slob, fine, but don’t blam John Waters for that – he cast her in a film – he’s not her manager for life. I don’t usually respond to other peoples posts like this – but you are confusing your own visceral fear of John Waters (and maybe his appearance) with some type of rational argument.
NOTHING could be worse than his last 2 movies…hey, maybe it will have a Christmas scene ala Female Trouble!
I am equal parts intrigued and aghast.
I simply don’t like him. That’s all the rationale I need. If you see some creepy, bald guy walking down your street, would you go let your children play with him? No? Why not? He could just be someone’s grandfather – totally harmless. But you don’t let them, because you know better and follow your gut instinct.
Yes, I am well aware what he has “done” for cinema. I’m not a fan. To me, alot of those left-of-center independent films are just as superfluous as Stallone’s action films. Give me epic, give me a REAL story. I don’t mind misfits and such in movies, but spare me freakdom for nothing more than freakdoms sake.
And, I’m sorry, I have no homosexual friends – I have my family, no close friends outside of that. I know homosexual people, I have homosexual relatives. They would probably cringe at John Waters and his work, too. That is not an issue of homophobia. I don’t believe homosexuality to be the same thing as this flaming, flamboyant attitude that you see in films like his. It’s totally separate. But thanks for trying to paint me as a backwoods, homophobic redneck.
Remember people: White does not mean racist, male does not mean sexist, heterosexual does not mean homophobe.
Dan- Ursula from the Little Mermaid was based on Divine
Hey Weirdo,
Don’t presume to know what your “homosexual relavites” might think of John Waters. Didn’t your mother ever teach you not to speak for others except yourself?
By stating that he’s this great icon in the homosexual community only goes to show how pathetically small minded and xenophobic you are. So what if he’s great in the gay community, what the hell does that have to do with your opinion at all? The fact that you mentioned the “gay community” only goes to show how uncomfortable you are with anything remotely gay. If you really do have gay relatives, I feel bad for you. Not because they’re related to you but because you don’t live in the real world, you live in a bubble made up of your relatives alone. This, based on your own words.
I happen to think John Waters’ genius will shine through. He’s a very wonderful, creative man, who has shown that great imagination produces great film. He can be as gay as the flowers in May, and that’s fine with me. I have a different word that I use for gays: “people.”
I know exactly what my homosexual relatives and acquaintances think of John Waters – CREEPY! Don’t tell me not to presume and then commit the same crime against me. I am not uncomfortable with anything. Well, with the exception of people that flaunt themselves so much. Homosexual, heterosexual – it makes no difference. I think the “Girls Gone Wild” crowd is tasteless and creepy, too. Don’t take it all personal. I just don’t like him.
Weirdo,
If you really lived up to your name, you’d love John Waters as much as I do, and I’m not a weirdo at all. You have no close friends outside of your family? Why am I unsurprised by this?
Ok, you’re not a homophobe (Sure you’re not), but you ARE a Freakophobe, yet freaky folks can be really nice (And non-epic movies can be good.), and are a lot more interesting than boring, normal drones, let alone losers who can’t make friends.
I’ve met John Waters, and he is the sweetest, kindest, most caring man. He’s so inclusive, he’d even like you! Yet you’ve cut yourself off from what could have been your only friend.
Oh, and my Grandpa was bald, and any kid who got to spend time with him was LUCKY indeed.
Of course, your “Left-of-center independant films” crack shows just what your agenda really is. The irony? Waters’s films are apolitical.
And Ricki Lake was excellent in HAIRSPRAY, whatever she’s become since.
You’re pathetic.
Weirdo,
I didn’t presume to know what you think, you very clearly stated your thoughts on “freaky” homosexuals. I simply expanded on those thoughts. By the way, didn’t you say you didn’t have any friends except your family?! — What’s this crap about acquaintances?! Most people don’t know what acquaintances think unless of course, they’ve had extensive conversations.. particularly on such a random topic as John Waters, why.. one would think that makes that person more than an acquaintance, it makes that person a friend. Does that mean you’re lying to us?
As for being uncomfortable with people who flaunt themselves too much, I hate to break it to you but that’s pretty much built-in to our genetic makeup. We’re visual creatures, we go out of our way to stand out to be noticed.. be it by the opposite sex, the same sex and for a myriad of reasons that aren’t necessarly sex related. You really need to get out more.
since when is john waters concidered avant garde?