Grease Frightening
The Biggest High-School Movie Of All Time Comes Out Of Retirement
More than two decades after it made them stars, John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John are close to saying yes to another dose of “grease lightning”. The pair are reportedly in talks to reunite for a blockbuster sequel to their hit musical, Grease, playing much older versions of slick-haired Danny and goody-two-shoes Sandy.
The Aussie singer and Pulp Fiction star, who have remained close friends since the 1978 movie, are apparently just weeks away from signing up for the project. An insider says the finishing touches are being made to multi-million dollar contracts for the two stars, and the original film’s director, Randal Kleiser, is already on board,
Kieiser says he can’t wait to work with Travolta and Newton-John again. “The story is all about what’s happened to the main characters. I’d love to get going on it. I think the fans are really going to like it.”
Sources close to Travolta reveal the actor is keen to pick up where the film left off. “He would love to play Danny again.” says one. “He’s intrigued by the idea of seeing how he’s developed after nearly 25 years.”
As both stars are now closer to retirement age than high school, in this version Olivia might well be singing: “Look at me, I’m Sandra Dee - older than I used to be.”
In 1978, Newton-John was a fresh-faced 29-year-old whose youthful looks made her a natural for the role of virginal Sandy. Travolta, red hat from strutting his stuff in that famous white Saturday Night Fever suit, was a hard-bodied, 24-year-old pin-up boy for the disco generation.
These days, Livvy is the 54-year-old divorced mother of teenager Chloe, and living in northern NSW. Once famous for hits like the controversial Physical, she’s happily swapped her showbiz career for work with various charities.
John, 48, has had more success in feature films especially with Look Who’s Talking and Pulp Fiction, He’s now the husband of actress Kelly Preston, a father of two and about as physically removed as it’s possible to be from cinema’s most famous high-school heart-throb.
As for the Pink Ladies (who gave Sandy the makeover) and car-loving T-Birds, it’s still too early to tell who’ll be showing up, though rumour has it. The West Wing’s Stockard Channing, who played rebellious Rizzo, is keen to sing “Grease is the word” yet again.
Story: Shane Sutton