Jamie Foxx and Usher Join Dreamgirls Film- Page 6

[GhettoBway]

Posted: 5/23/05 at 4:14am

Jesse Powell would have killed C.C.
YES!!!!!!
im listening to "You"

[Thetruth]

Posted: 5/23/05 at 4:02pm

Jesse Powell! Where is he at? No, I really wanna know where his sisters are?


Oh, and about Fantasia. She has braces now, so maybe she is getting everything in order to become a "dreamgirl." I've said before that she is the only popstar that could handle this role. If it's not her, I think they will go with a great actress with an OK voice.

[Kavana]

Posted: 5/23/05 at 4:18pm

that b!t@hes overbite is bigger then my tits

Updated On: 5/23/05 at 04:18 PM

[Ronlopez]

Posted: 5/23/05 at 4:22pm

Never heard tits compared to braces, but does fantasia really have the look for the screen. The big screen is for glamour. Braces wont help that.

[Thetruth]

Posted: 5/23/05 at 7:08pm

Kavana, Fantasia has an underbite.


As far as her "look" goes...I think Fantasia could pull it off. You'd be surprised what make-up/clothes/lighting can do. Fantasia will probably need to get in the gym and tone up a bit, but I think she's passable. Lorell's look is not as important as Deena's or Effie's. Whoever plays Lorell has to have that fiesty nature about her and I think Fantasia can exude that and come off as more attractive than she really is. Looking at her, she looks regular but once homegirl sings you get drawn in.

[dreamboy2004]

Posted: 5/23/05 at 7:22pm

That's ture about Fantasia because I remember her form when she very fist came on American Idol and homegirl was looking kinda busted. But by the shows end she had some good make up ,better clothes,and a bad ass haircut. Come on now you all know Fantasia be rocking her short cuts like no other. But like it was said the two charcters that are really known for their looks is Deena And Effie. Deena is the pretty one and Effie is the fat one,not really ugly but fat.Now Lorell doesn't have to be strickigly goregious she just has to look alright.Which is something she can do. Also who do you all think should play Michelle? Now I know some may not want any more pop stars attached to this film but I think Mya would make a great Michelle.

[Thetruth]

Posted: 5/23/05 at 8:50pm

Mya's good. She fits perfectly. Good back-up singer. Pretty. Kinda just there.

[GhettoBway]

Posted: 5/23/05 at 9:32pm

I am having a problem with the casting.
Am i the only person who sees that its going by who is hot?
This is going to be a bad BET movie.
The way its going seems like its being made just to be made.

I would like everyone to listen to Jamie Foxxs' first album,
His nasally voice, Is that a Curtis you would like to hear?

If people really liked his singing the album would have been a hit and he would have released more albums after that 94 flop.
Am i right???

Fcuk the film Ray the man passed and the movie was blown up people were sad THATS why Jamie won that Oscar.


Beyonce - 4 films under her belt, 5 if you dont count the very 1st film which was made back when Destiny's Child first came out.
When does one learn "hey, maybe im not a great actress"???
And in all these films she has played a lead.
WHAT???? HOW????
She acts like the people that are in those chitlin circuit shows,
I dont have to wait to see DG or Pink panther to know this girl cant act.

Im sure Usher can hold his own seeing how he does not have any solo songs.

Bill Condon, WHO is he???
I could not stand to watch Brendan Fraser in anything so i didnt see Gods and monsters and have no interest in seeing Kinsey.
I really question what his motives are for this film and who he is preforming fellatio to, to have this film made.
i cannot speak for every black person but the ones i have dont care to see Chicago and this man doesnt have any film history with directing and writing for blacks.

NO YOU DONT HAVE TO but it would not hurt...it seems he is going by ear of what happened to the Supreme's, basically he is making the Motown movie and im sure there is going to be some drama when it comes out.

What happened in 98 with Joel Schumacher this man was ready to film had his cast ready and no one questioned it.
Lauryn Hill - Deena
Kelly Price - Effie
Stacy Francies - Lorrell
Don Cheadle - Jimmy

I was living in Harlem at the time and saw how it was transformed to the sixties it was the coolest thing, I never saw filming and one day it was gone.

What went wrong and whats so different about then and now?
WB stopped production on it because "why do fools fall in love" failed. Saying who wants to see a film about three black girls strulling to make it.

Joel did Sparkle and had people that were in DG on broadway after the film.
Black people who remember the film love this film it was Dreamgirls, So we know his work.

Debra Zane & Bill Condon are looking for who is hot...I can guarantee they care about this film, its all about bringing in the money.

Im still hoping someone (Motown) stops this film from being made because of all the similarities, He is not fooling anyone..
True to the musical...Now your messing with real peoples lives.

Carry on



Updated On: 5/23/05 at 09:32 PM

[Ronlopez]

Posted: 5/23/05 at 9:48pm

I think there will be good singing and bad acting. I agee with you GhettoBway. I would like someone like spike lee to do this film. I think he would at leat be able to find some african american actors who have the skills and requirements and not just put rappers and pop singers in the film. And Jamie Foxx cannot sing and he has only done 2 good films.

[Thetruth]

Posted: 5/23/05 at 9:51pm

Jamie Foxx will make a fine Curtis. He can act the role and his singing is sufficient. His CD was a flop because he wrote his own material and it's harder for an actor to make a turn as a singer.

As far as Bill Condon's blackness is concerned. Micheal B. and the rest of the creators of Dreamgirls wern't black, so I don't think we have to worry about that. The guy who wrote the screenplay for The Color Purple was a from the Netherlands and he is very white. For any one who's read the book, the film is much more fleshed out and captivating. I could barely get through the book...so, race isn't really an issue here.


As for Beyonce, she's perfect for Deena. I don't care if she's ever in another movie again. This is her part. It will take no acting.


The 98' film...Kelly Price can't act. I'd put her in the same boat with Beyonce (Beyonce does have some film credits). Lauryn's voice is too raspy and soulful for Deena, though she is a very good actress. It's a good thing this movie didn't happen because didn't she start to flip the f out after 98'?


In regard to the movie in general, it's not going to please everybody, so the best thing to do is be open-minded about it. It looks like it's going to happen whether any of us like it or not, and I know we'll all see it.

[Ronlopez]

Posted: 5/23/05 at 9:54pm

If Usher is in it I won't see it. I can deal with the rest of them. Not that dude.

[GhettoBway]

Posted: 5/23/05 at 10:28pm

no disrespect but Truth you obviously dont care about this show...you even told me, you dont care you just want the film made.

Is that "TheTruth"?

Is that anyway to speak about a musical your a fan of you saw?
Hell you cant wait to see Linsdey Lohan in Bye Bye Birdie.

You have always been a beyonce fan..your goal is to bash anyone who has a different opinion then yours.

Do you own Jamie's cd, or is it safe to say you loved the song he did with "Twista" thats when you became a fan?

You are hyped to see Beyonce and Jamie in this film because you are like the majority of America that was wowed when watching Ray.

Did you watch his sitcom?

please im over the cinderella story.
Bring me people from the theater to make this film.

People want to get chills when they go see Dreamgirls will i get chills from Beyonce & Jamie?
NO because i know how they act because i know how they sing
Because i know what DG should sound like.

Give me Ben Harney singing "When i first saw you" you remember how he picked up Sheryl and forced her closer to him, Give me Jennifer Holliday at the 82 tonys mad as hell cause she got kicked out of that group.

Lorretta who brought that comedy and her "Ain't No Party"
Cleavant who made you fall in love his voice "I want you baby"

Jamie Foxx cant pull Curtis off.

Is it wrong i want a carbon copy?

[Thetruth]

Posted: 5/23/05 at 10:37pm

Yeah, it's wrong. I'm objective and understand the business side of this whole project. I've suggested/promoted those who have the best mix of marketability and talent.

We won't even talk about your Shola Ama as Effie fetish. That would blow up your spot foreal!

And you know that's not true about Lyndsay Lohan. I don't want her in Bye Bye Birdie because she can't sing at all.

I didn't say I was a fan of Jamie's I said he was sufficient.

And you're not gonna get chills from this movie unless you're sitting in a cold theater. The feeling isn't going to be nearly the same as viewing a live performance.

[Ronlopez]

Posted: 5/23/05 at 11:12pm

I am interested in how the search for Effie is going.

[dreamboy2004]

Posted: 5/24/05 at 2:00am

Dear God GhettoBway who would you like to see casted in the movie.This is reminscent of when Diana Ross was chosen to play Billie Holliday in Lady Sings The Blues.Before she stepped foot on the set everyone said she couldn't do it and the movie would be a flop. An Oscar nomination and legendery status achieved later and the critcs were silenced. I trully belive that Beyonce will pull the role of Deena off. Dreamgirls is hard to cast anyone becuse you can't have some who can act with medicore sinig skills becuase it's very short of being an opera. Anyone who is casted in Dreamgirls is really going to have to know how to sing first and foremost. Also they will have to know who to really act because so much of the character's emotions is displayed through their sinong voice. Secondly Jamie Fox can't sing ? I beg to differ because you obviously did not see his performance at this years Grammy's awards. The brother can sing and his acting is good also. All I'm saying is give Beyonce and Jamie try. There talented people who I think will do fine this film.

[GhettoBway]

Posted: 5/24/05 at 3:49am

Beyonce has been a lead in how many films and is still horrible?
How many films will she have to be in before people stop hiring her?
"Lady sings the blues" was Dianas 1st film yes?
and Diana STILL cant act
How many films has she done since the one with Brandy?

Jamie Foxx:
I was glad to forget the grammy performance but since you brought it up how bout you take a listen and you tell me.

He sounds like a actor imitating a singer, he always has even when he is being serious.
Listen to him again and you tell me if you dont think the same.


TRUTH - you tried it with your lil comment but wait,
That read was not for me... It was for the film Get into what you wrote
"And you're not gonna get chills from this movie unless you're sitting in a cold theater."

TRY AGAIN

[Marquise]

Posted: 5/24/05 at 5:41am

I am having a problem with the casting.
Am i the only person who sees that its going by who is hot?
This is going to be a bad BET movie.
The way its going seems like its being made just to be made.

They are picking the best people possible for this film. This isn't going to come off as a bad BET movie. Dreamworks/David Geffen and Bill Condon have way too much invested and too much love for the show to see it come to that. They would sooner not make it into a film than ruin it all together.

I would like everyone to listen to Jamie Foxxs' first album,
His nasally voice, Is that a Curtis you would like to hear?

If people really liked his singing the album would have been a hit and he would have released more albums after that 94 flop.
Am i right???

That album came out, what, 11 years ago? Alot can happen in 11 years. I've heard the man sing live, he's good, he can carry a tune and I'm sure he will get some needed vocal training for his role. This isn't an opera..it's a musical.

Fcuk the film Ray the man passed and the movie was blown up people were sad THATS why Jamie won that Oscar.

Jamie won the Oscar because he gave a stellar performance. NOT because Ray Charles died and NOT because "people were sad" as you put it. To think otherwise is ridiculous.


Beyonce - 4 films under her belt, 5 if you dont count the very 1st film which was made back when Destiny's Child first came out.
When does one learn "hey, maybe im not a great actress"???
And in all these films she has played a lead.
WHAT???? HOW????
She acts like the people that are in those chitlin circuit shows,
I dont have to wait to see DG or Pink panther to know this girl cant act.

She's no Meryl Streep, but she isn't as bad as most people want to make her out to be. I've seen worse. This just may be the role that will finally give her the opportunity to shine and with Condon as her guide that's just what might happen.

I'm sure Usher can hold his own seeing how he does not have any solo songs.

Usher is a solid, talented performer period. Solo song or not.

Bill Condon, WHO is he???
I could not stand to watch Brendan Fraser in anything so i didnt see Gods and monsters and have no interest in seeing Kinsey.
I really question what his motives are for this film and who he is preforming fellatio to, to have this film made.
i cannot speak for every black person but the ones i have dont care to see Chicago and this man doesnt have any film history with directing and writing for blacks.

You have GOT to be kidding me if you don't know who Bill Condon is. Bill Condon has to be one of the most respected writer/directors out there today. He was responsible for the brilliant adaptation of "Chicago" for the screen.

You are wrong about Condon. Bill Condon is a huge fan of this show! He was there opening night when Jennifer Holliday tore the roof off the Imperial Theatre and became an overnight sensation.

For you to sum up "Dreamgirls" as merely some "black show" is extremely ignorant. The characters in "Dreamgirls" are black, but the themes in the show are universal.

Just for the record almost all the creators and writers who were responsible for "Dreamgirls" are WHITE!

David Geffen, producer: WHITE!

Henry Krieger, composer: WHITE!

Tom Eyen, lyricist and book writer: WHITE!

Michael Bennett, director and choreographer: WHITE!


NO YOU DONT HAVE TO but it would not hurt...it seems he is going by ear of what happened to the Supreme's, basically he is making the Motown movie and im sure there is going to be some drama when it comes out.

Show me where you come to that conclusion, I have neither seen nor read anything that supports your "claims".

And for the record aspects of Motown and The Supremes may lace the show but so do aspects of Little Richard, Etta James, James Brown, etc..the only person noted to have a real problem with the show when it premiered was Diana Ross and she nor Motown ever sued. What makes you think they will now? They really have no case.

What happened in 98 with Joel Schumacher this man was ready to film had his cast ready and no one questioned it.
Lauryn Hill - Deena
Kelly Price - Effie
Stacy Francies - Lorrell
Don Cheadle - Jimmy

On what universe?? The only two names from the list you posted that were ever mentioned for "Dreamgirls" prior to now were Schumacher and Hill.

I was living in Harlem at the time and saw how it was transformed to the sixties it was the coolest thing, I never saw filming and one day it was gone.

What went wrong and whats so different about then and now?
WB stopped production on it because "why do fools fall in love" failed. Saying who wants to see a film about three black girls strulling to make it.

Joel did Sparkle and had people that were in DG on broadway after the film.
Black people who remember the film love this film it was Dreamgirls, So we know his work.

Yes "Dreamgirls" was shelved by Warner Bros. in 1998 because of the poor box office performance of another musical bio-pic, "Why Do Fools Fall in Love". But you know what? Things happen for a reason.

So what he wrote "Sparkle"? The only thing that "Sparkle" and "Dreamgirls" have in common is that there both about a trio of black girl singers. After that the similarity ends.

After what Schumacher did to "Phantom of the Opera" I'm glad he is out of the picture. Oh and by the way Joel Schumacher is WHITE also!

Debra Zane & Bill Condon are looking for who is hot...I can guarantee they care about this film, its all about bringing in the money.

The people that have been named so far for this movie are NOT only recognizable names but also proven singers, and talented ones at that.

If they would have cast for name only giving little regard to actually singing talent then I would say you had an argument.

You don't.

Im still hoping someone (Motown) stops this film from being made because of all the similarities, He is not fooling anyone.. True to the musical...Now your messing with real peoples lives.

Motown has NOTHING to do with this at all and they CAN'T SUE. "Dreamgirls" may bear more a resemblance to The Supremes, but how many black girl groups in the sixties were there that faced similar problems of crossing over to the pop charts or changed group members or focused on just one specific member of the group?....MANY. And it's still happening today!

If you think that "Dreamgirls" is just some thinly veiled pseudo-bio of The Supremes and leave it to just that then you are missing the message of this show.

The show tackles issue of race, society and overcoming obstacles and adversity while trying to acheive the almighty "American Dream". The struggle lies within each character as they go up the ladder of success but along the way each loses a piece of themeselves because they compromise so much just to get there including family.

The group and music are basically a microcosm for the struggles any group or race of people face when they want to acheive success in much the same way the dancers in "A Chorus Line" are a microcosm of society and their struggles.

To chalk up "Dreamgirls" as just being about The Supremes and it just being a "black show" is just wrong.







Updated On: 5/24/05 at 05:41 AM

[Thetruth]

Posted: 5/24/05 at 11:39am

Marquise, you ain't never lied!

[JasonM12480]

Posted: 5/24/05 at 11:55am

Stupid Usher? The man has a fantastic voice. Plus, he's been cast as the choreographer for the group. Usher is a dancer, and an awesome one at that. Would you like to tell me what black actor in Hollywood is more fitting for the role of "black choreographer?" How about James Earl Jones? Or better yet - what about Denzel Washington? Everyone in Hollywood knows of his supreme vocal and dancing skills. Oh, and the best idea yet - are you sitting down? Here we go...I think Morgan Freeman would be PERFECT!

See, I love discrediting ridiculous comments that have no basis for anything!

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 5/24/05 at 1:31pm

Right now I'm basically looking at the Dreamgirls movie the same way I am Singer's Superman film. If they both come out and they're good, but until then, I don't really want to think about it much because I'll just get upset over what I think are wrong decisions.

It's true that Beyonce will probably be fine as Deena, but I really don't think her voice is anywhere near as sexy or interesting as Sheryl Lee Ralph's.

Not sure if any of the other casting decisions in this thread are correct or not, but I just hope that Condon thinks things through long and hard before he makes his final choices.

[GhettoBway]

Posted: 5/24/05 at 2:21pm

The 98 film i clearly remember, There was one interview where Stacy Francies talked about being upset that she was not doing the film.

Go find the cast list, Im not making any of this up.
You can say you have not heard or dont remember but dont say I am wrong because i do.
Im young but I know my DG history.

Bill Condons has done a handful of films, Chicago was not the best movie-musical and im not going to praise him just because hollywood went crazy over the movie.

I know the races of creators not that it mattered, you bringing up the fact that they are white proves what?

I said it would be nice if Bill Condon had history with writing for blacks.
Can you direct me to a novel that he has wrote that can prove me wrong?

Bill Condon is the go-to guy, when someone doesnt like the way a upcoming film is going this man comes from out the shadows.

In 97 or 98 Chicago was to be made with Madonna & Goldie Hawn,
What happened?

My bringing up Motown goes to the character breakdown with the charector Teddy Campbell and that the Dreams are from Detriot, Curtis has a record label Rainbow records.

I dont know if Diana wanted to sue but she was angry, Mary wanted to be compensated for them obviously using their story.

And Yes i can say Dreamgirls is a "Black Show" which i havent,
Is it not?

We will just have to wait and see.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 5/24/05 at 2:41pm

The TRUTH of the matter is that despite the wishes of the writers, directors, composers, etc. - the people putting the MONEY up for the production, i.e. the PRODUCTION COMPANY, need to be assured that this film will MAKE money. It needs to be a spectacle, and the casting is a way to do this.

Now, Condon gave screen tests to Usher, Eddie Murphy, Beyonce, etc. They have heard them sing and seen them act from the script - and none of them would have been cast if they could not achieve what's needed for the film.

There are thosands of people - celebrities and nobodys - who could play these roles. But these are the ones chosen by Condon. And I trust Condon. He hasn't let me down before.

Dreamworks will get their money back and Condon will make a great film. Give them a chance.

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 5/24/05 at 3:25pm

I'd much rather see Marques Houston as C.C. than Usher. I think he'd be at lot better in the role.

[Kavana]

Posted: 5/24/05 at 4:04pm

^^^was that shade?
or has his video "Naked" actually convinced people he is talented

[Thetruth]

Posted: 5/24/05 at 4:45pm

I don't know about Marques Houston...


Ron, as far as why Condon is unlikely to cast an unknown Lorell...it basically throws the symetry off. You have a known Beyonce and two unknowns as the other 2 Dreams, making Beyonce the focus. It makes more sense to have a known Lorell so Effie (the new find) will be the center of attention



Updated On: 5/24/05 at 04:45 PM