Laverne Cox is to star in the 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' reboot.
Laverne Cox
The 'Orange is the New Black' star, who became the first transgender performer to ever receive an Emmy Award nomination last year, has been cast as the Transylvanian transvestite scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the forthcoming TV remake of the 1973 classic musical, Fox has announced.
The 31-year-old actress will take over the role from Tim Curry, who famously portrayed the flamboyant character in the first Broadway show and the movie four decades ago.
Kenny Ortega is set to choreograph, direct and executive produce the two-hour production, which will mark the original musical's 40th anniversary, while Lou Adler and Gail Berman are set to become the executive producers.
'The Rocky Horror Picture Show', which premiered in 1973, follows lovers Janet Weiss and Brad Majors, played by Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick, who find themselves in Frank-N-Furter's castle after they get caught in a storm.
The newly-engaged pair stumble in to the property in time for the mad transvestite's science convention as he unveils his new creation, Rocky Horror, an artificial tangerine-coloured muscle man which he produced to fulfil his desires.
Meanwhile, Laverne, who shot into the limelight for playing loveable inmate Sophia Burset in 'Orange is the New Black', is set for a busy few months as she's also landed the starring role in a legal show pilot 'Doubt' on CBS.
'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' reboot has been tapped for release late next year.
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