Musicals don't much bigger or well remembered than Grease, but for those of us who learned every single word sung by John Travolta and Olivia Newton John in the movie, there’s a mixture of anticipation and worry over Fox's latest announcement. The network revealed yesterday that they are airing a three hour live broadcast of Grease in 2015, bringing Sandy and Danny back for a whole new generation. So what exactly does Fox have in mind for Grease and who might be dawning a T-Birds jacket when the musical hits the small screen?

John Travolta and Olivia Newton JohnSandy and Danny as they are now, John Travolta and Olivia Newton John

Grease the musical started life in 1971 and was first performed in a theatre in Chicago. Written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey the musical eventually moved to Broadway and was performed in London in 1973. Many future famous faces made an appearance in Grease’s early touring cast, including Patrick Swayze, Richard Gere (who stared in the London production) and John Travolta. Travolta would end up becoming the Danny Zucko we all remember after Grease landed on the big screen in 1978. Grease the movie would become the highest grossing musical of all time taking nearly $400 million at the worldwide box office.

More: Olivia Newton-John's Las Vegas residency

Fox’s Grease production will be based on the original 1971 stage show and will be produced by Paramount television. Their senior vp of event series Shana C. Waterman has described Grease as “one of the most beloved musical stories ever told” and added that Fox “can't wait to bring it to our air in a spectacular live event.” Waterman went on to say that Grease’s “iconic characters and addictive songs make it the perfect fit for Fox,” and that the network will “give it the kind of star power and production quality to make every Sandy, Danny, Rizzo and Kenickie out there want to get up and sing along.”


So who will be taking on the iconic roles of our favourite T-birds and Pink Ladies? Well there’s no word yet but we can bet this is going to be a contentious issue. The Hollywood Reporter states that “the live event will feature a young ensemble cast” and the internet has been all too keen to give their picks. Every young star with a good set of pipes has seen their name thrown in the hat from Taylor Swift as Sandy (could work) to Harry Styles as Danny (he’s got the quiff). Older names also haven't escaped a mention, after all Travolta and Newton-John weren't exactly high schoolers, so how would you feel about Justin Timberlake or Kristen Bell as Danny and Sandy?

With the cast set to be announced at a later date we’re just going to have to keep on drawing up our dream list. Still it’s a year to go until Grease on Fox airs so what better time than now to start learning all the soundtrack lyrics for the inevitable sing-a-long. Guess it's time to find your Danny and tell him 'You're the One That I Want'!

More: Madonna's daughter Lourdes lands a role in High School Grease production

Brush up on 'You're the One That I Want with Olivia Newton-John here: