Fanboys Anonymous

Tim Curry, the man who brought the infamous fishnet-clad Frank-N-Furter to life in the Rocky Horror Picture Show 40 years ago, will be time-warping back for Fox's reboot of the classic Richard O'Brien musical, premiering later this year. Well, how 'bout that?


Curry, the Emmy Award–winning actor who originated the role in the 1973 London stage production and shortly after made his screen debut in the 1975 film version, will be joining the cast as the "Criminologist," a small narrative persona whom those familiar with late-night shadow cast performances mock for his lack of neck, thus creating an abundance of call backs.

The cult classic is the longest running film in history, strongly keeping its cultural phenomena alive in shadow casts throughout the world. The campy film, which plays homage to science fiction and B-rated horror of the 1930s through the 1970s, features deeper themes that includes gender and sexuality and has been reclaimed as a significant role in the LGBT community.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show centers upon newly engaged sweethearts Brad and Janet, who stumble upon Dr. Frank-N-Furter's castle after their car breaks down in the rain. They arrive on a rather special night, as the sexually ambiguous mad scientist holds his annual Transylvanian convention to showcase the birth of his newest creation: Rocky Horror, a tall man with blonde hair and a tan.

"I am very happy and excited to be part of this new event," Curry said in a statement.

Previously announced cast members include Laverne Cox (Orange is the New Black), who will be filling in Curry's iconic heels. Ryan McCartan (Heathers, the Musical) and Victoria Justice (Victorious) star as Brad and Janet, alongside Reeve Carney (Penny Dreadful) as Riff Raff; Staz Nair  (Game of Thrones) as Rocky; and Adam Lambert (Glee) as Eddie. The roles of Magenta, Columbia, and Dr. Everett Scott have yet to be revealed.

This will be the 69-year-old actor's first live-action appearance following a stroke in 2012 that caused him to require a wheelchair. Last year, Curry made a rare red-carpet appearance when he was honored with The Actors Fund Lifetime Achievement Award at the Tony Awards Viewing Party in Los Angeles.

The two-hour musical will be directed, choreographed, and produced by Kenny Ortega (High School Musical, Michael Jackson's This Is It) and will air this fall on Fox. Lou Adler, who was the executive producer in the original film, will claim the same role in the reboot.