Jamie Foxx in talks for Dreamgirls

[suzycat]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 1:18pm

From USA Today:

Best actor
Jamie Foxx, Ray

He says he also is in talks to play the male lead in Dreamgirls, a film based on the musical about a Supremes-like trio. He's also recording an R&B album for music mogul Clive Davis, publicist Alan Nierob says.

Any thoughts?
http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/movieawards/oscars/2005-03-01-winners-next-projects_x.htm

[magruder]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 1:23pm

If they are talking about Curtis, I think Jamie Foxx would be a good choice. Sure. Why not. He's hot right now after the Oscar win, and he sings well.

[Caleb]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 1:27pm

I think that would be a good choice. He's a great balance of mainstream appeal and legitimate talent. I think he'd be good as Curtis or as Jimmy, because he can play "arrogant and full of himself" really, really well (just watch Any Given Sunday). I think I see him as Jimmy more than Curtis, but Jimmy, in my opinion, really needs to be able to wail. He'd be good as Curtis too. I also think Taye Diggs would be a good Curtis. He's the kind of guy who's so charming he could probably get anybody to do anything, much like I think of Curtis.

[timote316]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 1:42pm

From what I've heard about the show (I'm ashamed to say I don't know it at all), he's a good choice.

[catstagestud]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 1:47pm

Not sure...but I was told by someone that Beyonce was in the talks for the movie too. Which if it's true I think I need to go grab some Zoloft because I'll probably slip into depression. How about a talented person who's got a small name. I know Jennifer Hudson from American Idol last season would rock as Effie, she's a big woman and she can sing really well. Too bad Jennifer Holliday is too old to play the role

[Plum]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 1:54pm

The Beyonce rumor came from WENN, which really can't be trusted an inch. I think there's a chance she'll be cast as Deena, but there hasn't been anything substantiated or even semi-substantiated to indicate that this is the case. Updated On: 3/2/05 at 01:54 PM

[catstagestud]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 2:03pm

Thank God! I have a real issue with her. The Oscars was like a concert of her and Let's get some non-mainstream talent out there.

[robbiej]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 2:04pm

Oh Plum...even if it came from WENN, we all know she's the logical choice (whether she signs on or not is another story entirely).

Foxx would make a really great Curtis. He would make the PERFECT Jimmy, though.

[rlbgbc]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 2:11pm

Billy Porter as James Thunder Early?!?!! Surely you jest. He was terrible in the concert version -- every time he opened his mouth during the dialogue scenes, a purse fell out. Faux leopard, at that.

[bjivie2]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 2:19pm

Ha rlbgbc! Have you seen The Trip? Billy was sick at the concert, so don't go by that. And I'm sure Judy Garland's purse fell out at some point in the evening. It sold on Ebay the next day.

Posted: 3/2/05 at 2:19pm

I see Jamie more as Jimmy but I wouldn't rule him out as Curtis. Billy Porter is much too fey as Iimmy. I saw the concert and have the double CD. Vocally he's right (if he's not smoking) but acting I'd say he'd be a better Lorell!

[robbiej]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 2:19pm

Just like CHICAGO, right Ms. Hausen?

[rlbgbc]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 2:24pm

bjivie, I knew he was sick during the concert -- that's why the CD was months late in being released, they had to go back and re-record some of his vocals (as well as some of the others, to be fair. I've got a bootleg video of the concert, and what was on that stage ain't what made it to the CD.) So I wasn't "dissing" him for that. :)

But the scenes? Lord a-mercy. During the Lorrell breakup scene, I mentally went out to the lobby and bought an orangeade, it was THAT unbelievable.

[robbiej]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 2:35pm

Well...I guess it's all a matter of taste, but I did not think any choice made regarding the filming of CHICAGO ruined it.

As for DREAMGIRLS, the comparison to POTO is specious at best. Opinion-wise, the material is leaps and bounds ahead of POTO. It also deals in very modern sounds, unlike POTO. And the most important part is the fact that the original production, as staged by Michael Bennett, was incredibly cinematic.

It's the perfect musical to adapt to film. Sure, Condon may f*ck it up. But I'm not betting against it right now.

[VIETgrlTerifa]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 2:39pm

I trust Condon way more than I trust what Chris Columbus is doing to Rent or what ALW and Shumaucher did to Phantom.

[EvelynNesbit1906]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 2:46pm

Condon will do a fine job. He's got a fine track record.

Taking out the "Mary Sunshine is a man" plot twist was a great, great idea. That is such a 1970s approach toward drag - as comedy and little more.

Posted: 3/2/05 at 2:46pm

Please, Beav, did they ever stop?

[VIETgrlTerifa]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 2:55pm

I agree regarding Mary Sunshine. It's funny on stage because it's a vaudeville theme, but it would have been severely out of place in the setting that the movie was in.

[VIETgrlTerifa]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 3:03pm

Yeah, but was that really needed? I think it would have been way too distracting for the movie.

[robbiej]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 3:06pm

It's very VERY VERY difficult to pull off convincing drag in a movie. You also lose the novelty of the role, because the song would have been dubbed. So, the visceral 'OH MY GOD A MAN SANG THAT HIGH LIVE AND IN FRONT OF ME' is gone.

Marshall found an incredibly simple and incredibly brilliant signifier of the Hunyak's innocence: the white handkerchief.

[VIETgrlTerifa]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 3:08pm

But you see, I dont' think Chicago was compromised...at least not with the Mary SUnshine thing. I believe Marshall had a definite direction and vision for the film version, and he cut the Mary Sunshine part because it would have gotten in the way. They didn't expect to make much money off of Chicago anyway.

[robbiej]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 3:10pm

I'm not sure of your point...or, rather, not sure that your point is really, truly meaningful. I mean...show business is canabalistic. Each medium steals from the other. Should we do the converse and say 'Broadway doesn't deserve great works like Hairspray, The Producers, The Full Monty, et al'?

CHICAGO was brilliantly reconceived. And some musicals were even improved upon (SOUND OF MUSIC and OLIVER! both were greatly aided by their cinematography). I'm just not convinced that your argument holds water.

[robbiej]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 3:14pm

You mean, LITTLE BIT OF GOOD was actually filmed? Or was it exorcised from the script before shooting even commenced.

I have to say, best decision all around. I, myself, would have loved for them to find a way to keep 'I Know A Girl' or whatever it's called.

[Marquise]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 4:29pm

i think the decision to change the character of "mary sunshine" in the film version of "chicago" was a wise one.
and as robbie j pointed out the hunyak's innocence was displayed by showing her pull out the white handkerchief during the "cell block tango".
now, as far as beaverhausen's comment about hollywood deserving the musicals he mentioned i have to disagree.
there are just so many examples of great motion picture musicals that were adapted from the stage.
there's plenty proof that when hollywood puts it's mind to it thay can really do a great broadway musical justice on film.
i think "dreamgirls" is going to make a remarkable movie.
like robbie j also stated the original michael bennett staging was very cinematic in approach, so it already lends itself to the medium.
as for jamie foxx playing "curtis", he was being considered before winning the oscar, but i'm torn as to whether i would prefer him as "curtis" or "jimmy".
as far as beyoncé as "deena" goes, many on this board already know how i feel about her. but i couldn't have put it any better than what another poster on the board wrote:

"we all know she's the logical choice (whether she signs on or not is another story entirely)".

...i think the beyoncé-haters on the board better start stocking up on the zoloft.
Updated On: 3/2/05 at 04:29 PM

[Thetruth]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 6:37pm

My vote goes for Jamie playing Curtis. His voice is smooth and a better fit for Curits and judging from his previous acting work, Jamie's actually better in less showy more subdued roles.