Christopher Walken Set to Play Captain Hook in NBC’s Live Peter Pan Special

Christopher Walken has been cast to play Captain Hook in the upcoming TV special Peter Pan Live.

Executives at NBC are developing a musical version of the children’s tale for TV following the success of last year’s broadcast of The Sound of Music Live! starring Carrie Underwood as Maria, the role made famous by Dame Julie Andrews in the 1965 movie, and have tapped the Man on Fire star for the villainous role.

Robert Greenblatt, Chairman of NBC Entertainment stated on the announcement: “We are absolutely delighted that Christopher Walken will be putting his unique stamp on Captain Hook for our holiday musical event Peter Pan Live! 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.”

Executive producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron added: “We’re so happy to reunite with Chris, who starred in our film version of Hairspray. 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.”

Speaking on his casting, Walken said, “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.”

The show is based on the original Broadway production of Peter Pan and will be directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins.

Photo Credit: Miro Vrlik Photography / Shutterstock.com