Ever since it was announced that MTV would remake The Rocky Horror Picture Show, I’ve been kind of waiting to see just how badly they could mangle the thing. Love it or hate it, you’ve got to admit that the original is a one-of-a-kind cult classic, and not the kind of movie that lends itself well to a re-imagining. There still hasn’t been much announced with regards to their intentions, and a director has yet to sign on. However, there’s a big rumour going around right now about who may try to fill Tim Curry’s shoes in the lead role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. No, it’s not Marilyn Manson… according to IMDB, British comedian Russell Brand is the current frontrunner.

Okay, I have to admit, Brand would be a pretty inspired choice to headline this remake. After breaking through to U.S. audiences earlier this year with Forgetting Sarah Marshall, he is riding a new wave of popularity, and he certainly has the effeminate look and rock star attitude for it. He also has a sense of humour and could potentially have a lot of fun with it. I’m not sure how solid the rumours are, but if they are true, count me just a little bit more interested. RHPS show creator Richard O’Brien is, however, not involved and not particularly optimistic: “I don’t know where they’ll go with it really. … I’ve even heard that they’re going to put new songs in. I wrote the book, the music and the lyrics. Where are they going to get the songs from? Who’s going to do that? That’s a bit strange isn’t it?”