John Waters readies 'Hairspray' sequel

Hairspray creator John Waters has been hired to write the story for a sequel to the hit 2007 musical.

Director Adam Shankman plans to return for the second film, along with producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron and songwriters Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

Shankman told Variety: "I never thought of musicals as franchises, but it certainly worked with High School Musical, and the idea of working with that cast again, and creating new material and music, is a dream come true.

"John (Waters) has such an original and extraordinary voice; we all can't wait to see what he has come up with."

Waters originated Hairspray as a movie in 1988. It subsequently became a stage musical before being brought back to the big screen last year.