Usher and Eddie Murphy to join Beyonce?

[silent]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 2:58am

April 12, 2005
Big Stars Attached to 'Dreamgirls' Flick
By Andrew Hartman, MovieMusicals.net
Status: Rumor From Valid Sources

Beyonce Knowles, Usher, and Eddie Murphy are all in negotiations for leading roles in the upcoming Dreamworks film, 'Dreamgirls.'

This leaves two other spots left open for leads: an unknown Effie, and a third starlet.

http://www.moviemusicals.net

[silent]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 3:11am

This movie is starting to sound alot like a remake of "Harlem Nights" instead of "Dreamgirls."

[bjivie2]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 4:01am

Eddie Murphy? Who would he play? Jimmy?

[pab]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 4:12am

Oh boy, I'm not having a very good feeling about all of this.

Anyway, if this is the case, I assume they would be looking at Eddie for Jimmy and at Usher for Curtis. I would think that CC might be considered too small a role for either of them but I think that it's a good role and also a good size role.

This was also on that site:

"At least three, possibly four, new songs are being written for the upcoming 'Dreamgirls' film. Henry Krieger, who wrote the music for the original stage production, is involved."

I guess that we will just have to wait and see.

Also, if this site is correct then it confirms that Beyonce is not in talks to play Effie which is probably the best news out of all of this.

Updated On: 4/15/05 at 04:12 AM

[bjivie2]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 4:28am

Usher can't play Curtis, he's waaaaaaaaay too young. I'm sure he's in talks for C.C. I'll bet Jaime Foxx gets Curtis.

[MATheaterLover]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 8:02am

Okay, I think this is MAJOR confusion by the guy over at moviemusicals.net.

His naming of Usher and Eddie Murphy comes from David Poland's blind item column on thehotbutton.com - he describes a star "much bigger" than Jamie Foxx who "really knows how to steal a show - both as a man and as an animal" - the animal bit could be Eddie Murphy, but I've heard other people say, and I actually believe this, that they are in fact talking about WILL SMITH. Eddie Murphy is definitely NOT a star of even Jamie Foxx's name and talent, but Will Smith certainly is.

And he makes an obvious comment about Usher.

I'd think that Usher's up for James, and Will will be taking Curtis.

[MATheaterLover]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 8:06am

And about JAmie Foxx - its unlikely at this point that he'll be in the cast (I think Will Smith will replace) because his demands are OUTRAGEOUS. Especially in a film that they want to spread the talent throughout.

To check out Poland's blind item, go here http://www.thehotbutton.com/today/hot.button/index.html

[Justice]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 8:22am

Usher would be great for CC. As for the small role...isn't that all he's played, sans Light It Up?
And Will Smith doesn't sing.
Might as well put Martin Lawrence in there.

Updated On: 4/15/05 at 08:22 AM

[MATheaterLover]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 9:23am

Just because you haven't heard him sing doesn't mean he can't - look at CZJ. He's been around the music industry, I'm sure he can carry a tune.

But alas, the argument doesn't even need to continue. I e-mailed Poland and he said I was wrong

So if that actually means it is Eddie Murphy, then i'm going to cry because he might be actually able to ruin this entire movie on his own. he's got NO business being there.

[Justice]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 9:52am

MA...
How many Will Smith cd's do you own?
Cuz if you owned one, then you would know that he cannot sing.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 10:02am

"The guy over at moviemusicals.net" would be myself.

And yes, it is Eddie Murphy.

[MATheaterLover]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 10:08am

And have you heard that god awful single that Eddie Murphy released in the 80s?

Because if you did, then I doubt you'd be defending him over Will Smith in this film..

At least Smith's got acting talent and film persona.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 10:11am

nm

Updated On: 4/15/05 at 10:11 AM

[pab]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 10:18am

My girl wants to party all the time. Party all the time.

[silent]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 10:21am

With Usher, Eddie and Beyonce on-board, I have a feeling that Queen Latifah will be approached to play Effie. This is turning out to be a farce and the movie hasn't even been made yet.

[Justice]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 10:21am

MA,
You're turning my comments into something that it wasn't. I was not defending anyone over anyone. I was just stating the fact that Smith cannot sing. I did not say he could not be in the film over Murphy. Nor did I say anything negative about Smith being in the film, let alone anything Positive about Murphy being in the film. But in your response to Smith having acting talent and film persona in YOUR comparison to Eddie...Um, Eddie's been in the movie industry for about 25 years (give or take). That's Longer than Will Smith has been in the music industry.
And for you to say that Jamie is a bigger star than Eddie...Why? Because he won an Oscar? Keep in mind that Jamie had a string of flops before he made one good film. Or is "Booty Call" so easy to forget?

[MATheaterLover]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 10:45am

Sorry to suggest that you were defending Murphy, but now I'll refute your points about comparing the stardom of the three gentlemen mentioned.

First off, other than Shrek, when was the last time Eddie Murphy had a hit? Dr. Dolittle? Is that the Dreamgirls audience? Hardly.

The man has never been known for any sort of dramatic skills, and I suppose the same can be said for Foxx, but he had at least worked with Oliver Stone in Any Given Sunday before his big rise to fame this year. And yes, it is significant that Foxx is now an Academy Award winner. While he has not been a star for long, that doesn't matter in Hollywood. Filmgoers and producers alike would rather see a hot young thang, like Foxx, over someone who keeps making goofy comedies for paychecks well into his 40s (like Murphy).

In terms of years in the business, Will Smith helped bring rap music into the mainstream - he is a pop culture icon. He was also the first rap artist to make a significant crossover into the world of acting. His film career, while not spanning the time period of Eddie Murphy's, more than surpasses Murphy's credits in terms of range and role choices - from the confused con artist of Six Degrees of Separation, to the physicality and historical weight of Ali, to the romantic comedy of Hitch, to the broad comedy of Men in Black, to the summer blockbuster stardom of Independence Day.

You just can't say the same for Eddie Murphy. The man is a has-been, and I hope that this project will be a resounding success - nothing in his past or present makes me think that he will help that.

EDIT: I'd also like it to be known that I am not a huge Foxx fan. I thought he gave a remarkable performance in Ray, but not one that I was blown away by or that I thought changed the face of acting. But, in my opinion, he is undeniably more talented and more of a star than Eddie Murphy, and I'd much rather see him in this film than Mr. Murphy. Updated On: 4/15/05 at 10:45 AM

[Justice]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 10:56am

Actually, Murphy's other hits included The Nutty Professor, Daddy Day Care and Bowfinger.

To compare...all three are very different actors. Murphy is the right age to play Jimmy or Curtis. Jamie is perfect for Jimmy. But can anyone honestly see Will Smith even lip-synching to "When I First Saw You"?
As for your comment again on Foxx being "More of a star" than Murphy, what exactly does that mean? Murphy has made more movies than Foxx, let alone been around a lot longer. Murphy has also been in the Tabloids more than Foxx. When someone says Eddie Murphy, you know exactly who they are talking about, as it has been since the 80's. Before Ray half of America had no clue who Jamie Foxx was.

AND SILENT...
Queen Latifah was approached to play Effie, but they reconsidered on the count of her age.

[TonyaFanatic]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 10:57am

I do agree with most of matheaterlover's points. but at the same time i do believe that we should give our actors a chance. has been or not. i really dont know what role he would play. i guess he's being approached for curtis, but i think will smith would act the role a little better. but no one knows so we'll all see.i do think usher could play cc and jamie should be jimmy.
and i think the point justice is trying to make is eddie murphy is a legend. jamie foxx has a long way to go to reach that status.

Updated On: 4/15/05 at 10:57 AM

[Justice]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 11:02am

Thank you Tonya...Legend is a good word to describe it. Like him or dilike him, that is what he is.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 11:03am

Eddie Murphy I like and think he would do a good job

Usher needs to stay away from this movie (I can't STAND him)

Beyonce.....as long as she is not Effie, I have no problem.

[Thetruth]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 11:28am

Actually, Murphy has pulled out some of the greatest comedic moments in cinema (Nutty Prof.) Though he can get a little bit raunchy for my taste, that seems toe be what everybody is doing these days. Eddie is the forerunner for Smith and Foxx. There would be no Will or Foxx without him, and I'm not a big fan of Eddie...

And Eddie doesn't have that bad of a singing voice. Yes, his songs were horrible, but he's certainly not as bad as some of the singers out today. Back then it was harder for an actor to make the transition to music (Jasmine Guy, Tisha Campbell,etc) than for a musical artist to break into the movies (Smith, Ice Cube) Acting wise, I'm sure he could pull of the role of Jimmy. I don't know if I'd trust him with the role of Curtis for his dramatic acting debut (or has he done one or two dramatic parts?)

Usher needs to play C.C. but I'm sure he's probably pushing for Jimmy. He's on par (success wise) with Beyonce and I don't think it would look good for her to have a leading part and him with a smaller one.


I really really wanna know who's going to play the other Dreams. Oh, and to the guy over at musicalmovies.net, are they still sticking to the shooting schedule?

[LostLeander]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 11:40am

Foxx - Curtis
Usher - CC
Murphy - Jimmy

HOPEFULLY, this is what they were thinking.

Foxx can play dramatic, and sings smoothly, and his just about the right age.

Usher is young, like CC, and also has that smooth voice, and he looks like a CC.

Murphy is the right age for Jimmy, and legend or not, he is a has-been, just like Jimmy. Yes, Jimmy should be played by a singer, I'm thinking they're going to make Jimmy just amazingly obnoxious and cut his ballad (I Want You Baby), which leaves all of his shrieking songs. (I do like those shrieking songs, though). Murphy will get away with his passable singing voice.
Besides, he has undeniable charisma, which Jimmy needs.

I can see this working. Condon won't take any HUGE chances with casting, as he wants this to be a blockbuster.

Now the pivotal part of Effie needs to be cast, and I'm sure there will be HELL with WHOEVER gets cast.

[bjivie2]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 11:45am

Finally someone mentioned what the cast should be! I was wondering if I had to chime in. I'm not for dubbing voices, so I want Will Smith far away from this movie.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/15/05 at 11:50am

Foxx's salary demands were outrageous. Apparently he is no longer being considered. Beyonce is close to signing and I think the talk about Usher and Murphy is pure speculation at this point, though I think Condon is smart to try to get name actors. DREAMGIRLS isn't that well known a property, and they will probably be casting a relative unknown as Effie.

I think its safe to say, that the film will be cutting some of the songs from the show and replacing others. It's perhaps not valid to say whether Murphy et. all can sing these roles, becasue its unknown right now what exactly the roles will be singing.