Foxx Endorses Fantasia for 'Dreamgirls' Role

Posted: 10/18/05 at 10:44pm

LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com)- It isn't every day that you hear an Oscar winner get excited about doing a film with a reality television veteran.

Talking to reporters about his upcoming role in "Jarhead," Jamie Foxx threw his full support behind Fantasia Barrino, winner of the third season of FOX's "American Idol," for one of the final uncast roles in the upcoming DreamWorks adaptation of "Dreamgirls."

"I think if Fantasia does it, it's outta here," Foxx gushes. "If Fantasia does the movie it's completely in the stratosphere. It's nuts."

[Thetruth]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 11:39pm

"I'ma just sit back and see what the wall gon' look like" --The Color Purple.


Let the hating begin!

[GhettoBway]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 5:50am

LMAO girl im going to watch that now

[soulman83]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 8:36am

I hate to say it but the more i think about it, the morei think she might really tear this role up. the girl can sing and she has more grit and soul than any other singer out there right now! plus she will go to town on beyonce on all the fight scenes.

[MackieManiac]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 8:44am

I can buy her as Laurel ... even though I dont like her. THey better not be talking about Effie.. because that girl is no Effie!

[pab]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 8:50am

I think that they should just cast SOMEONE and get it over with. I've read so much discussion on this board about who should be cast and what role they should play. Let's please not go down that road again! It's been done to death. If people feel the need to see what has already been discussed on this topic, the search function on this board works really well.

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 9:04am

If Fantasia is in talks for Effie, those talks better include a minimum 20 pound weight gain

[pab]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 9:10am

On weight gain for Effie:

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=854590#1146088

Updated On: 10/19/05 at 09:10 AM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 9:17am

Ten bucks says an official announcement regarding Fantasia being cast as Effie is coming in the next few weeks.

[GhettoBway]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 9:22am

you think so MB?
lol

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 9:36am

Oh, Baby, Fantasia is so doing the role.

[bschneid76]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 10:57am

Ick! Those American Idol people are so blah! Look what happened with From Justin to Kelly.... I've never been an American Idol fan and never will, but so far, there hasn't been a bit of casting with Dreamgirls to make me want to pay money to see it. I wish Jennifer Holliday was younger to do it. She would do it so much better than anyone else. Who did the part of Effie in the concert version???

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 11:00am

I guess I'll put this here. Anika Noni Rose is in the film, apparently, but this article also mentions Fantastia.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/95745.html

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 11:09am

Michael---I can't bet against you, because I think you're right. Effie is coming her way. The only person they have to convince still is Geffen, but I think he's wearing down. I know they've been having further auditions around the country, probably at his insistence... looking for that illusive "unknown." No flies in the ointment yet. But in a couple of weeks, they're going to have to lock it and work on the negotiations. The cameras are rolling in January! I'm glad Condon is on her side. If Fantasia is smart, she's sending Geffen flowers (or his favorite wine) every damn day.

Ah, the games of Hollywood...

[Popular]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 11:15am

I love Fantasia and if she gets the part I will have to give her a lot of credit! For both having the guts to recreate such a legendary role and challenging herself to learning the script after she just announced she can't read. That really wasn't meant to sound mean at all so I hope it didn't come out as such... I would really admire her so much!

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 11:16am

"Who did the part of Effie in the concert version???"

It was Lillias White in the concert and the first revival as Effie...she was fantastic, but also too old now.

I'll believe the casting of Effie when I see it in print.
I am trustin Condon and Geffen to do the right thing here, but have misgivings about Fantasia...but will see it and try to hold judgements until after.

BTW, Anika Noni Rose is already cast, I believe, as Lorrell, so that wouldnt be the role Fantasia is up for.

[mikem]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 11:24am

I really hope they cast someone else. I don't think Fantasia has any acting experience. She may be a natural-born instinctive actor, but it's a big risk to cast a non-actor in the role. Also, she can sing, but she doesn't have the kind of "big voice" that I associate with the role. She has a tendency to become a little screechy when she tries to make her voice sound "big."

[bschneid76]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 11:28am

I still say it's too bad Ms. Holliday cannot do it, she's the same age as Eddie Murphy or there abouts. She's only 40 something. And if Lillias White who is in her 50s could play the part, why not?!

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 11:28am

"Fantasia can't read."

Well, that puts her in good company with many rising stars from the past... Joan Crawford was one of them, and a few tikes like Shirley Temple and Margaret O'Brien. I wonder whatever happened to them?

Fantasia will learn to read. I have no doubt. But it will have no bearing on a screen performance at all.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 11:38am

I think the difference is that Ms. White, who I LOVE, will show her age on screen (so would Ms. Holliday) and they start out as 16 year olds...Beyonce will have a tough time pulling that off!
Curtis is older (tho not 40!)

Posted: 10/19/05 at 11:38am

"it's a big risk to cast a non-actor in the role"

It seemed to work out well enough for Ms. Holliday when Mr. Bennett gave her the role.

[GhettoBway]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 11:39am

Geffen will not let Fantasia have that role not only because she is not right for it but also his feud with Clive.

[Popular]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 11:41am

best12bars - Oh I know she'll be fine. She's gotten through life this far and I have no doubt she's learning... you can't just make an announcment like that and follow it up by doing nothing. All I'm saying is that it has to be twice as hard and I'd admire her all that much more for pulling if off.

[leomaxfrank]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 12:07pm

at least Holliday had already done "Your Arms Too Short to Box with God" when she was cast as Effie.

I am totally skeptical about this idea.

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 12:35pm

I'd like to see Shanice play Effie, if not in the movie then in a Broadway revival.