Laverne Cox to Lead ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ Reboot as Dr. Frank

Jacqueline Gualtieri ’18 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer

It’s been 40 years since The Rocky Horror Picture Show premiered and gained its status as a cult classic. Since then, fans have been “Time Warping” across the globe and could celebrate their weirdness together. This includes live re-enactments watching actors do their best to pay homage to the characters while Tim Curry plays on screen. It is now the time for a new Dr. Frank, and Laverne Cox has snagged the chance.
It’s hard to imagine anyone else being able to live up to Curry as Dr. Frank-N-Furter. The character is sexually ambiguous, insane with power and lust, and not of this world. Despite the apparent insanity, he gains followers in his ways, not only in the other characters on screen, but through the viewers. His words, “Don’t dream it, be it,” inspired a generation and became a mantra for the social outcasts. From the moment he made his grand entrance on screen, he commanded attention and created inspiration. He does not seem to be the hero of the story; he seems like the villain, but instead he becomes a sort of martyr. He’s ruthless and cruel, but he’s beloved for who he is, as an entirely new character, the likes of which the audience had never seen. He became a hero in his own right because he identified with the outcasts. In this way, Curry became Frank-N-Furter to all of the fans. Who else could sing “Sweet Transvestite” like him? Who else could make you shiver with antici…pation?
Perhaps, though, Fox has found someone who can match Curry’s skill. Fox announced a reboot of Rocky Horror back in April. The two hour special set to premiere in fall 2016 is set to be directed and choreographed by Kenny Ortega, who has over 30 years of experience in film and theater. So far he’s had no cast to work with but it was announced today that they had found their Frank-N-Furter.
Laverne Cox, of Orange is the New Black fame, is set to take on the role that made Curry a household name. Cox plays Sophia Burset on the hit Netflix series, a role made her the first transgender person to win a primetime Emmy. She was the first openly trans woman of color to have a leading role in a mainstream television series and she has since been applauded for her work for the transgender community. Cox has herself become a household name and brought transgender awareness further into the light. She is a fantastic choice for the titular role because she is the modern day trail blazer that Curry was in his time. She is completely proud and aware of who she is which will inspire a new generation of fans to hang on her every word.
Although the wait for the special event is still nearly a year away, the anticipation certainly seems worth it. Cox has some pretty big heels to fill, but, with her talent, it’s hard to imagine that she would disappoint.