Amanda Bynes has joined the cast of the highly anticipated Hairspray for New Line Cinema.

John Travolta and Queen Latifah are already attached to the film which is the film adaptation of the Broadway sensation which was based on the 1988 John Waters film. Variety says Amanda will play the role of Penny Pingleton, best friend of the lead Tracy Turnblad character; a nationwide search is on going for an actress to play Turnblad, who was played by Ricki Lake in the original.

Adam Shankman is directing and choreographing this version with Leslie Dixon (Just Like Heaven) writing the script. New Line has set a summer 2007 release for Hairspray; filming will take place in Baltimore, Maryland (home of the original) and Los Angeles.

Hairspray was released July 20th, 2007 and stars John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Amanda Bynes, James Marsden, Queen Latifah, Brittany Snow, Zac Efron. The film is directed by Adam Shankman.