Latifah is denied the role of Effie

[Justice]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 5:46pm

Though they had Queen Latifah in mind for the role of Effie Melody White, they had to deny her the role, simply because she was too old.

My Source: The Village Voice.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 5:50pm

Probably she was denied because Corine organized a letter writing campaign for her to get the role.

[catstagestud]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 5:52pm

That's sad What do you think of her as Motormouth in the Hairspray film? The story on playbill.com said they're looking for high profile TV and music celebs to play roles besides Tracy...

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 6:00pm

Latifah is a nice lady and a decent enough actress with a cute little voice, but c'mon, she couldn't sing Effie in a million years -- she just doesn't have the range or power for it.

As far as Motormouth, she's about 20 years too young for that part (and also too underpowered vocally to sing that role).

Too young for one, too old for the other and not up to the vocal demands of either -- maybe somebody should write a show tailor-made to her unique talents.

How about Loretta Devine for Motormouth? Or Patti Labelle? Or Aretha?

Updated On: 3/3/05 at 06:00 PM

[courtneyanne]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 6:02pm

Hahaha.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 6:03pm

Aretha would be glorious! Is she healthy? I haven't seen her anywhere in so long. Can you picture her singing those songs!?

That is truly perfect casting!

[chasgoose]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 6:04pm

I actually think Latifah is a great singer, although her voice is definitely more suited to jazz. Not only was she good in the movie of Chicago, but the jazz CD she released last year was excellent.

[Justice]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 6:05pm

I agree that Latifah would be a great Pearl Bailey, because she looks like a young version of her - not in a One Woman show, but more like a bio-epic...

Doesn't matter. Latifah is now a huge star, and will be getting other roles written specifically for her.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 6:10pm

I know Latifah was interested in recording I Know Where Ive Been a while ago... Mary Bond mentioned it when I interviewed her for spouzic.com. Updated On: 3/3/05 at 06:10 PM

[Justice]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 6:19pm

Beaver, I know what you meant...but a one woman show on stage would limit her talents to those only in the town she is performing (i.e. NYC). But, if she did a film version, then EVRYONE would get to see it. (Besides, Pearl Bailey was not the nicest person in the world, very difficult to work with, and it would come off so much better to see how other's reacted to her)

[Caleb]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 7:38pm

Margo, I was thinking Patti LaBelle in that role as well!

This is off subject, but did anyone see Mary Bond Davis in the reading of The Mistress Cycle? She was phenomenal, as was every lady who participated in that reading.

Also, as far as the Dreamgirls movie goes, I would love to see the three original Dreams in a cameo as the Stepp Sisters. It slips my memory now how many girls there are in that group, but I would love it if the movie started with the three of them together, in costume, singing their hearts out. It would be great because they wouldn't stick out in the film for people who don't know who they are, but anyone who knew who they were would get a huge kick out of seeing them kick off the movie. What do you think?

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 7:40pm

There were four Stepp Sisters so you could have Holliday, Ralph, Devine and Debbie Burrell (the original Michelle).

Now whether those four with those egos would EVER agree to such a thing is a whole other question.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 8:31pm

"It would be great because they wouldn't stick out in the film for people who don't know who they are, but anyone who knew who they were would get a huge kick out of seeing them kick off the movie. What do you think?"

"Now whether those four with those egos would EVER agree to such a thing is a whole other question."

Chita did a one-liner in the movie version of Chicago. If she can do it, as great as she is, then they should lay aside their egos and do it.

[Corine2]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 9:15pm

Goth darling,
I only did that for Harvey. Mary Bond Davis would be an amazing Effie.

[broadway86]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 9:20pm

Off-topic- Patti LaBelle would be a perfect Motormouth.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 9:38pm

I'm sorry, well not really, but Queen Latifah cannot act. Period. And she's too old. Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Hudson.

[Jon]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 9:41pm

LaBelle has a good sense of comedy. I liked her as Duane Wayne's mom on "A Different World".

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 9:45pm

I agree Margo. I'm waiting for Jennifer Holliday's letter of complaint about how she was denied playing Effie in the movie. Um...she's too old, period.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 9:46pm

I think that Latifah could do Motor Mouth.....

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 9:55pm

She can't even make a Pizza Hut commercial work...I think she is very overrated, and slightly annoying on screen. Her oscar nomination was a FLUKE.

[Mojojo5]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 11:27pm

I never saw Queen Latifah as Effie but I do think she can act. She just hasn't had the best luck in picking movies. She was great in "Set It Off" and a knockout in "Chicago." But I might be biased since I'm also a fan of "Living Single" (I mean, in a '90s kinda world, I'm glad I got my girls...) cheesy as it is. I wish she could have a cameo in the film but I don't see a place where she could fit. Speaking of the cameos (or some of the roles that could be cameos in the film), how are they going to fill those? The people who I would love to have cams (Tina Turner, Gladys Knight, Patti Labelle, etc.) are all a little ahem mature to play the other acts and what not. Hell, even En Vogue is too old to play the Stepp Sisters. Ahh well, maybe Beyonce can convince all the former members of Destiny's Child to play them. On a different (but sorta related) note, Patti Labelle must play Motornouth in the Hairspray movie. She would be firce with the song and is the only woman who I can imagine saying things like, "Everybody hussle, here comes Von Tussle." Also, there would be no need for craft service tables because she would cook for the entire cast and crew. Lord, I love that woman.

Zach

[ShuQ]

Posted: 3/4/05 at 12:10am

Latifah can definitely act but I have to agree with Margo (and others) on this one. she's a great performer but she just wouldn't do it as Effie. Not for me alteast.

[jim coleman]

Posted: 3/4/05 at 1:59am

Patti LaBelle is terrible in CHICAGO. Can't act her way out of a paper bag, and it looks like she isn't even trying to play Mama Morton. Just terrible!!!

[Justice]

Posted: 3/4/05 at 2:17am

Bobby,
Latifah can't act? Well, someone should tell that to her agent who is getting her all this acting work.

[Jon]

Posted: 3/4/05 at 6:50am

Her acting ability is less relevant that ner ability to sell tickets. Let's see how BEAUTY SHOP does. After that TAXI turkey, she needs a hit.