Walken joins a cast that already includes John Travolta, Queen Latifah, Amanda Bynes, Michelle Pfeiffer, James Marsden, Zac Efron and Nikki Blonsky.
Leslie Dixon wrote the screenplay, and Craig Zadan and Neil Meron will produce. Filming is set to begin next month in Toronto. Hairspray should be in theatres next summer.
Composers Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, the men who earned a Tony Award for their original music for the musical production, are working on new songs for the film. Shankman will also direct the choreography.