Production will begin next September in Baltimore and Toronto, and the film should be in theatres by summer, 2007.
Travolta will play Edna Turnblad and Latifah will play Motormouth Maybelle, a civil rights activist and dance-show hostess.
Shankman, who also will be the film’s choreographer, has already directed Latifah in Bringing Down the House, which showcased the actress’s vocal talents.