Screenhead

MGM’s remake of the film Fame school faculty members have been casted with Debbie Allen, Charles S. Dutton, Kelsey Grammer, Megan Mullally and Bebe Neuwirth. Production begins Wednesday, with Kevin Tancharoen directing the film set for release September 25, 2009. 

Like the original 1980 film, the remake focuses on the dancers, singers, actors and artists from auditions to graduation at the New York City High School of Performing Arts.

Variety reported the following casting of Mullally, who in real life is a graduate of the School of American Ballet,  will portray a voice instructor; Grammer, who attended Juilliard, will play an orchestra maestro; Dutton, a graduate of Yale School of Drama, will portray an acting teacher; Neuwirth, a Tony winner, will play a dance instructor. Allen, who made her feature debut in the original Fame, has been cast as the school’s principal.

Looks like the remake is taking shape nicely.

 

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Fame, the remake of the 1980 musical, starts filming in late November to make its September 25, 2009 release date.

MGM has gather most of the lead cast:  Kristy Flores, Paul Iacono, Paul McGill, Naturi Naughton, Kay Panabaker, Kherington Payne, Collins Pennie, Walter Perez and Anna Maria Perez de Tagle.  

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Debbie Allen, who played Lydia in the original, is rumored to be in line for a cameo, yet not as the same character.  Thomas Dekker of “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” is in negotiations to play one of the remaining leads. The studio is seeking actors for the adult roles.

Fame will be directed by choreographer Kevin Tancharoen.

Similar to the Oscar-winning original, directed by Alan Parker, the story follows the failures and fortunes of super-ambitious young performers and their teachers as they deal with a school year at the prestigious High School for the Performing Arts in New York.

 

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