OITNB star Laverne Cox to play Dr Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show
LAVERNE COX is set to be taking on the iconic role of Dr Frank-N-Furter in a remake of musical comedy The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Laverne Cox is going to be playing Dr Frank-N-Furter
The 31-year-old Orange Is The New Black star will be playing the eccentric alien scientist in Fox's "re-imagining" of the cult film which celebrates its 40th birthday this year.
The Alabama-born star will be taking on the role of the "sweet transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania" originally played by British actor Tim Curry. The film also featured Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Meat Loaf and writer Richard O'Brien.
The new version of The Rocky Horror Picture Show is set to be broadcast in next year but the exact date is not yet known.
The part involve a some fancy footwork from Laverne and see her putting her vocal talents to the test with songs like Time Warp, Touch-a-touch-a-touch-a-touch me and Damn It, Janet.
Dr Frank-N-Furter was played by Tim Curry in the film version
Orange Is The New Black chat
Richard O'Brien and Tim Curry in The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Laverne Cox as Sophia in OITNB
Laverne shared the news about the casting on social media, posting a screenshot to the story on her Instagram account with the caption: "I am so excited that the news is out. I am so honored to be a part of the Rocky Horror legacy. #DontDreamItBeIt #TransIsBeautiful."
Her post was liked by over 30,000 people while many others left comments congratulating Laverne on getting the part.
The two-hour "television event" will be choreographed by Kenny Ortega, who has previously worked on the routines for the High School Musical franchise and Eighties classic Dirty Dancing. Kenny will also be serving as an executive producer on the project.
Laverne Cox shared her excitement about the role on social media today
Laverne is the first transgender star to have been nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for her performance as Sophia Burset in the Netflix women's prison dramedy.
She has previously starred in TV shows Law & Order and Bored to Death before landing the part in OITNB and she is going to be in the forthcoming drama called Doubt.
Rocky Horror Picture Show is set to air in 2016