#1
Posted: 3/5/05 at 8:24am
Effie Melody White - Capathia Jenkins
Deena Jones - Taral Hicks
Lorrell Robinson - Fantasia Barrino
James Thunder Early - Cleavant Derricks
Casting for the WB/Dreamworks film Dreamgirls was a "hard film" to cast says Bill Condon "Since it was announced in January we have been flooded with calls from agents and fans alike wanting to know who we would cast." The obvious choices were to cast Beyonce Knowles as the diva Diana/Deena Jones who takes the lead in the musical group known as The Dreamettes the former group member Effie White was cast in the back because of her size. 1982 Dreamgirls opened to mixed reviews but there was no doubt who the star of the show was "Jennifer Holliday" who originated the roll of Effie White.
Condon "This film is way overdue which is way it was hard to cast this film, If you saw Jennifer Holliday in this roll in the eighties you would know what i am talking about when Effie is going into her song "and IM telling you (IM not going)" you feel every note you could see Jennifer hollidays sweat and tears and you could do nothing but stand and cheer before the song was even over, When i wrote the script i knew i had to have some way of putting the Original Cast Dreams in this film for the fans who waited two decades to see this on film"
Condon confirms Jennifer Holliday, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Lorretta Devine will grace his film. But you will have to wait to see what roles they play.
The cast is full of Stage and Screen actors alike.
Cleavant Derricks (currently on Broadway in hit musical Brooklyn) was apart of the Original Broadway Cast. Asked why such an older cast member Condon stated the role of "James Early" could be a man in his 40's and Clevant looks & sings the same as 20 years ago. Derricks will also play part in vocal arrangement and soundtrack. Fantasia Barrino of American Idol fame was last to audition plays love interest to Derricks. Taral Hicks (A Bronx Tale - Belly) as Deena Jones and as Effie White - Capathia Jenkins (Broadway's Caroline, Or Change).
Three Roles of the "Dream Boys" have not been cast, Jamie Foxx is said to be in talks for Curtis Taylor, Jr.
Deena Jones - Taral Hicks
Lorrell Robinson - Fantasia Barrino
James Thunder Early - Cleavant Derricks
Casting for the WB/Dreamworks film Dreamgirls was a "hard film" to cast says Bill Condon "Since it was announced in January we have been flooded with calls from agents and fans alike wanting to know who we would cast." The obvious choices were to cast Beyonce Knowles as the diva Diana/Deena Jones who takes the lead in the musical group known as The Dreamettes the former group member Effie White was cast in the back because of her size. 1982 Dreamgirls opened to mixed reviews but there was no doubt who the star of the show was "Jennifer Holliday" who originated the roll of Effie White.
Condon "This film is way overdue which is way it was hard to cast this film, If you saw Jennifer Holliday in this roll in the eighties you would know what i am talking about when Effie is going into her song "and IM telling you (IM not going)" you feel every note you could see Jennifer hollidays sweat and tears and you could do nothing but stand and cheer before the song was even over, When i wrote the script i knew i had to have some way of putting the Original Cast Dreams in this film for the fans who waited two decades to see this on film"
Condon confirms Jennifer Holliday, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Lorretta Devine will grace his film. But you will have to wait to see what roles they play.
The cast is full of Stage and Screen actors alike.
Cleavant Derricks (currently on Broadway in hit musical Brooklyn) was apart of the Original Broadway Cast. Asked why such an older cast member Condon stated the role of "James Early" could be a man in his 40's and Clevant looks & sings the same as 20 years ago. Derricks will also play part in vocal arrangement and soundtrack. Fantasia Barrino of American Idol fame was last to audition plays love interest to Derricks. Taral Hicks (A Bronx Tale - Belly) as Deena Jones and as Effie White - Capathia Jenkins (Broadway's Caroline, Or Change).
Three Roles of the "Dream Boys" have not been cast, Jamie Foxx is said to be in talks for Curtis Taylor, Jr.
