Oscar-winner Christopher Walken will play Captain Hook in NBC’s live production of “Peter Pan,” the network announced today.
“He’s one of the most unique actors in our business,” NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt said during the network’s portion of the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour in Beverly Hills.
Greenblatt said Walken “might really just be a song-and-dance man at heart,” citing his early-career work on Broadway musicals “High Spirits” and “Baker Street” in the 1960s and appearances in the movie musicals “Pennies from Heaven,” “Hairspray” and “Jersey Boys.”
“Peter Pan” is set to air Dec. 4. Casting is continuing for other roles, Greenblatt said.
Walken won a best-supporting actor Oscar for his portrayal of a troubled Vietnam War veteran in the 1978 film “The Deer Hunter.”
NBC also announced it has renewed “America’s Got Talent,” “Last Comic Standing” and “American Ninja Warrior” and will present “Red Nose Day” in May, a day-long event including a three-hour star-studded prime-time special to help increase awareness of poverty and raise funds to combat it.
“The driving force of it will be some great comedy moments as well as a lot of celebrity appearances, plus musical acts and anything we can think of to make the broadcast a big event,” Greenblatt said.
A similar special has aired in England for more than 25 years, raising more than $1 billion, Greenblatt said.
