NBC has found its Captain Hook.
Christopher Walken will play the infamous pirate in the network’s upcoming “Peter Pan Live!” musical special, NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt announced at the Television Critics Association press tour in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Sunday.
“We are absolutely delighted that Christopher Walken will be putting his unique stamp on Captain Hook for our holiday musical event ‘Peter Pan Live!,'” Greenblatt said in a statement. “He’s not only one of the most versatile actors in our business, but his love of musicals and uncanny abilities as a dancer make him perfect for stepping into this classic James M. Barrie character. Get ready to be charmed, amused, frightened and dazzled by Captain Hook in an entirely original way.”
Greenblatt said at the TCA event that the actor might even tap dance in the role.
Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (who will executive produce “Peter Pan Live!” on the heels of their success with “Sound of Music Live!”) said they are thrilled to work with Walken again.
“We’re so happy to reunite with Chris, who starred in our film version of ‘Hairspray,'” they said in a statement. “The exhilarating thing about doing these live musicals is giving the stage to a thrilling performer like Chris, and seeing his once-in-a-lifetime performance unfold at the same moment the audience is watching at home.”
Walken said the admiration is mutual.
“I started my career in musicals and it’s wonderful after all this time, at this point in my career, to be in this classic musical I watched as a child and to work with Neil Meron and Craig Zadan again after ‘Hairspray.’ It’s a chance to put on my tap shoes again,” he said in a statement.
“Peter Pan Live!” is set to air December 4 on NBC.
— Erin O’Sullivan
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