Laverne Cox Tapped to Play Frank-N-Furter in 'Rocky Horror' Remake

Who could be a sweeter Transvestite from Transexual, Transylvania?

In Fall 2016, transgender superstar Laverne Cox will have TV viewers shivering with antici - (say it, say it) pation when she assumes the iconic role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in a television remake of the cult musical "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" set to air on Fox.

Unlike the TV musical projects currently in production ("Grease" for Fox and "The Wiz" for NBC) which will air live, the 2016 "Rocky Horror" will be filmed in advance of its air date. At the helm of the production is Kenny Ortega ("High School Musical") who will be performing triple duty as director, choreographer and executive producer.

Cox, who is equally known for her role on the Netflix series "Orange is the New Black" and her work as a trans activist, has some very big platform shoes to fill. The character Frank-N-Furter has long achieved icon status due to Tim Curry's legendary performance in the 1975 film. According to The Hollywood Reporter, before Cox signed on, both Adam Lambert and Lady Gaga were offered the role.

The casting is already causing a stir on social media with some LGBT activists applauding the move and others decrying it as sensationalism and stunt casting. Purists of the musical wonder how the gay male on male dynamic, which is part of the role will play out as Cox is all woman.

According to Playbill, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" was adapted from the 1973 West End musical "The Rocky Horror Show," which ran only 45 performances on Broadway in 1975. The film, which came out just a few months later, used several members of the Broadway cast, including Tim Curry, Richard O'Brien (also the composer/lyricist/librettist) and Meat Loaf. Richard O'Brien wrote the stage version, and collaborated with Jim Sharman on the film, which was also directed by Sharman.