Jamie Foxx in Negotiations for "Annie" Movie- Page 4

[all that jazz]

Posted: 5/1/13 at 10:29am

I'd watch an all white dreamgirls with Megan Hilty as Effie.

[Dave19]

Posted: 5/1/13 at 10:30am

"All this "What next?" "Where will it lead?" sounds like the same old bigoted panic"

To me it represents the same old panic that African American people had when they were given separated seats in busses and benches. A fear that is very grounded.

[Wynbish]

Posted: 5/1/13 at 10:33am

I like the arc the character of Dave19 has had in this thread. From, "let's over-exaggerate Black names, because humor always comes before human decency" to "stop oppressing them! you racists!". What a journey.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/1/13 at 10:33am

Oh, Dave19. As someone who likes to occasionally push the boundaries of acceptability, part of me actually felt for you for one hot second. But the difference between us is that when I've said something that is taken as offensive and am called out on it, I take a step back and analyze what I said. If it's someone who's just being outraged for the sole purpose of being outraged (much like what you're doing here) than I ignore them because everything "un-PC" will always offend them, just so they can feel superior to everyone else. But if I actually see a point in what was said, I will apologize and learn from that. Because there really is a fine line between humor and offensiveness. And learning the difference is tough. But what you wrote is not humor and it was meant to be mean and offensive. And your continued harping on the issue further proves that you were not trying to be funny but trying to "make a point". And that point that you keep hammering away at is offensive and racist.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/1/13 at 10:34am

"To me it represents the same old panic that African American people had when they were given separated seats in busses and benches. A fear that is very grounded."

Yes. Your argument over casting the new ANNIE film is exactly like that.

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 5/1/13 at 10:43am

So now your point is that Jamie Foxx et al. are being relegated to some 21st-century version of the Chitlin' Circuit and not allowed to perform in mainstream films?

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/1/13 at 10:53am

To me it represents the same old panic that African American people had when they were given separated seats in busses and benches. A fear that is very grounded.

Really? It reminds me of the age-old argument that performers of color should get "their own" shows any time it's suggested that performers of color take on roles that have traditionally been played by white actors. And just like clockwork, a contingent of people lose their minds. The way it has manifested in this thread is a new low for the denizens of BWW, though, so congrats, I guess?

[suestorm]

Posted: 5/1/13 at 11:24am

[Kad]

Posted: 5/1/13 at 12:12pm

I find it interesting that someone who does not live in America is able to somehow understand the intricacies of race in this country.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 5/1/13 at 12:20pm

I find it depressing that in this day and age, a reimagining of ANNIE with an African-American sensibility causes people to deem it "cheap," "poorly done," and in the worst cases, a violation of the original product. All the while, of course, ignoring the ways in which white people have consistently appropriated black culture to their benefit.
And why must every single conversation about race and theatre lead to someone posing the idea of an all-white production of DREAMGIRLS? Ugh!

Updated On: 5/1/13 at 12:20 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/1/13 at 12:31pm

It's Effie's Law, baby.

[mb87]

Posted: 5/1/13 at 12:54pm

I have no problem with the cast being black, blue, purple or green. All I care about is them doing justice to the musical. The fact they are changing the names is already a sign that this is going to be a complete mess. Why make "Annie" if it isn't Annie? And I am so annoyed with people mentioning the Wiz and Wizard of Oz - they might share the same overall story, but they are two completely different shows [tone and all]. They aren't trying to make a 'wiz' version or they would have said so - instead they are rewriting a classic to fit a certain audience - except that audience already has turned their back on this entire production.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/1/13 at 12:59pm

I would like to meet blue, purple and green people.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/1/13 at 12:59pm

Gay ass rainbow people.

[Wildcard]

Posted: 5/1/13 at 1:18pm

I have no problems with a new Annie being made. My issue with this one is that based on previous reports, they seem to be using some of the original Annie music yet making changes to the story such as character names and setting. Be true to the source material or otherwise come up with something fresh and unique. It's in that way that I think The Wiz was a success because they were taking a known property and making it all their own. If they wanted to make an Annie for the 21st century, then there are numerous Annie storylines to mine. She is after all based on a comic series.

In the same way, what are people's thoughts on Brandy's Cinderella? While that had a multicultural cast, they pretty much used the book and score as they were written.

[Dave19]

Posted: 5/1/13 at 1:33pm

Wynbish and Jordan, it's just that if the black community insists on having "their own", "all black" versions of already existing films, that they can expect jokes like this. And I don't think anyone took offense in any of the jokes made by anyone on here. These reaction jokes on this are not the problem, it's the fact they feel the need to keep the separation in tact by wanting this.

I don't see anything wrong with the mixed, black and white cast version of Annie that came out on film as the latest remake. I LOVE Audra McDonald as Grace.

But that's my opinion. Other people seem to have different opinions.

Updated On: 5/1/13 at 01:33 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/1/13 at 1:39pm

Oh, Dave. Dave, Dave, Dave.

You say "the black community insists on having 'their own' versions of films".

Child, it's movie studios and (in this case) movie stats with children who "insist" on making this. And yes, even as a white man I took offense to your "jokes". Because they weren't written to be funny, they were written to be insulting and demeaning.

And that's why it might be your opinion, but part of sharing your opinion is realizing that if it's an insulting or, in this case, racist opinion - you're going to get called out on it.

[Dave19]

Posted: 5/1/13 at 1:47pm

They were meant to open people's eyes.

I find it interesting that a community/movie studio's/producers want to make an all black revival of the movies Annie, Les Miserables or any other title for that matter, because do you have any idea how much influence that has on the new generation of kids and the rest of the world? It confuses people on why this is necessary and why this separation continues and continues. Why should other races have their own films, while it can be mixed perfectly, like the last revival of Annie?

The "Annniqua", "Precious", "Big Daddy WarBucks", "Weave", "You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Grill" jokes many people made in this thread are a reaction on that everlasting separation. I did not hear any joke when the last revival of Annie came out. Why do people want this?





Updated On: 5/1/13 at 01:47 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/1/13 at 1:47pm

I love how the notion of an all black film brings out the "they feel the need to keep the separation in tact by wanting this" idiocy, but the fact that hundreds of films that are all-white are released ever year seems to escape those same people. Or at least escape their scrutiny.

[darquegk]

Posted: 5/1/13 at 1:47pm

The line between "black oriented film" and "blaxploitation" is a thin one and hard to define. "The Wiz" itself dances on that line, with its Seventies jive-turkey slang, aggressively funky (and deliriously catch) score and especially the movie's urban jungle aesthetic.

A black-interest reboot of Annie doesn't seem that dubious of an idea. But when you start throwing in characters with names like rich black mogul Benjamin Stacks, you're not exactly being subtle and things start to verge on exploitative or pandering.

Still, even if this is the silliest piece of junk ever made, it's gonna be a FUN silly piece of junk.

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/1/13 at 1:49pm

When "The Wiz" first opened on Broadway, everyone thought it was a horrible idea. Cheap and almost blasphemous to the "all-American" source material. A Ghetto Wizard of Oz.

They actually posted their closing notice on opening night. (Andre De Shields told me this.)

Then the reviews came out.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/1/13 at 1:50pm

This also may be the first time I've seen (at least on a public forum that wasn't Stormfront) someone suggest making racist jokes is the fault of black people.

Updated On: 5/1/13 at 01:50 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/1/13 at 1:51pm

Well if there weren't black people, there wouldn't be racist jokes.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/1/13 at 1:55pm

People had to make those jokes. They couldn't not make them!

[Dave19]

Posted: 5/1/13 at 2:03pm

It's no one's fault, but it's a reaction that can be expected.
If I am going to produce an all white movie version of Dreamgirls because I feel that it is needed to celebrate something, it is only logical that I receive many sarcastic jokes, and seeing that as racist would be my own choice.

Because others might think that the choice of making a movie like that is racist itself, not the jokes I would get.

Have you seen the racist reactions on the white girl singing "And I'm telling you" on youtube? It's all about making choices and expecting logical reactions. OF COURSE people are going to ask themselves why it was necessary.

Updated On: 5/1/13 at 02:03 PM