Adam Lambert declined the offer of playing Frank-N-Furter in the upcoming remake of Rocky Horror Picture Show. He chose, instead, to take on the role of Eddie (played in the original movie by musician Meatloaf.)

 

Frank-N-Furter was played perfectly by Tim Curry in the 1975 film. However, Lambert said that today the role should go to someone who is actually transgender.

 

"I kind of felt like in 2016, to be cis and playing the role of a trans character, it felt inappropriate to me," Lambert revealed. "In the ’70s, it was different. But nowadays we have such an amazing conversation that’s started about trans and gender in this world."

 

In fact, the role has been given to a trans actress; Laverne Cox of Orange Is The New Black will be playing the "sweet transvestite from transexual Transylvania."

 

"I think casting Laverne was so brilliant," Lambert said. "It’s so appropriate, you know what I mean? And to re-imagine [the character], as well, because she’s entirely different. ... It’s very forward-thinking and it feels very right now, which is going to make this remake really interesting."

 

Rounding out the cast for the upcoming Rocky Horror Picture Show Event: Victoria Justice (Victorious) as Janet; Ryan McCartan (Liv & Maddie) as Brad; Reeve Carney (Penny Dreadful) as Riff Raff; Christina Milian (Grandfathered) as Magenta; Annaleigh Ashford (Kinky Boots) as Columbia; and, in the golden underwear, Staz Nair (Game of Thrones) as Rocky.

 

Curry will also be back for the reboot, this time appearing as The Criminologist.

 

The show will air on Fox sometime in late 2016.