Disney 'Aida' Film on the Way, with Beyoncé to Star?

According to the Jim Hill Media Blog, the Disney musical Aida might be on its way to the big screen - with Beyoncé Knowles possibly taking on the title role of the Nubian princess-turned-slave.

Hill writes that Disney is "reportedly already in talks with this pop diva, trying to convince Knowles to make Aida her follow-up project to Dreamgirls.  Starring in the movie version of this Tony Award-winning musical should be a no-brainer for Beyoncé. Particularly since the show's title role has proven to be such an effective showcase for chart toppers like Toni Braxton and Ms. Knowles' fellow Destiny's Child survivor, Michelle T. Williams."  Hill also states that Disney is eager to produce a big screen version of the Egypt-set musical romance, as they had bought the rights to Leontyne Pryce's children's book version of the Verdi opera upon which the Disney musical was based and "originally thought that this material might make fine fodder for a feature length cartoon."

Aida, starring Heather Headley (who won a Tony Award for her performance in the title role), Adam Pascal as Radames and Sherie Rene Scott as Amneris, ran at the Palace Theatre from March 23rd, 2000 through September 5th, 2004.  An opulent and colorful pop opera adaptation of the Verdi classic, Aida won the 2000 Tony for Best Score (music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice) and Tonys for Best Scenic Design (Bob Crowley) and Best Lighting Design (Natasha Katz).  Aida features a book by Linda Woolverton, Robert Falls and David Henry Hwang. 

"Set in the time of Ancient Egypt, Aida told the tale of a captured Nubian princess who falls in love with her conqueror, the Egyptian captain, Radames. Aida becomes the handmaiden to the daughter of the Pharaoh, Princess Amneris, who is betrothed to Radames," stated Disney press materials.

Knowles, a top-selling solo artist and formerly a member of the popular music group Destiny's Child, received a Golden Globe nomination for playing Deena in Dreamgirls (she was also among those nominated for co-writing the song "Listen").  Her other film credits include The Pink Panther, The Fighting Temptations and Austin Powers in Goldmember.

Photo by Retna Ltd.