Looks like Beyonce is sticking to her album-then-film formula. Blackvoices reported that the singer will portray famed singer Etta James in the upcoming film Cadillac Records. The soul singer is mostly known for her classic record “At Last”.
The film explores Chicago in the 1950s and Leonard Chess, founder of the South Side Chicago blues label Chess Records. The piece charts the rise and fall of legendary artists who were part of the label including James, Muddy Waters, Chess, Little Walter, Howlin’ Wolf and Elvis Presley. Jeffrey Wright, Columbus Short, and Cedric The Entertainer have also been signed on.
Filming will take place in New Jersey and Mississippi…
Tyler Perry has already begun to start up his next film project and word is, Jennifer Hudson may star in it. Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys Together focuses on two very different families that become intimately involved in love and business.
This will be Perry’s sixth film for Lionsgate following the release of Meet The Browns. Sanaa Lathan, Alfre Woodard and Rockmond Dunbar have already been confirmed as part of the cast…
Spike Lee is currently working on a new film that stars Derek Luke, Michael Ealy, Laz Alfonso, and Omar Benson Miller. Miracle At St. Anna is set in Italy during the 1940s and tells the story of four black American soldiers who get trapped in a Tuscan village during WWII after one of them risks his life to save an Italian boy.
It is based the acclaimed novel of the same name written by James McBride. Miracle At St. Anna is scheduled to hit theaters in Fall of this year.
ROTFLMAO @ the Beyonce haters. All I have to say is one thing. Beyonce is the most popular and successful black female artist at the end of the day. So you can say she’s wrong for the part or whatever but it won’t change the fact that millions of people love her and will go see it just because she’s in it.
So basically I’m laughing because unless you’ve been dead for the past 11 years, Beyonce is successful at everything she does. You say she can’t act yet her movies are box office hits and she’s the highest paid black actress under 30. So stop wasteing your time. It’s like this on every Beyonce post. Haters hate and say she ‘s this she’s that blah blah blah. And at the end of the day she’s still successful and they’re even more mad.
Beyonce is making her haters mad on purpose. I ain’t mad at her. Anything she wants she gets and the haters are jealous that no other black female artist gets the recognition that Beyonce gets. Don’t hate the player hate the game. Tell your fave artist to step their game up.
Like the other millions of people who saw Dreamgirls and all her other movies I will go see it just because BEYONCE is in it. If it was Queen Latifah Keyshia Cole or any other D-list singer nobody would go see it. Only Beyonce brings attraction because she has the support of millions of people around the world. Why do you think she’s been consistently successful for 11 years? Beyonce is a legend in the making and I can’t wait till 20 years from now when she gets her Lifetime Achievement Award for her accomplishments in music, fashion, and acting. Go head Bey keep making your haters more mad! Beyonce is the one celebrity that it’s a waste of time to hate on. The more ya’ll hate the more successful she becomes. I thought ya’ll might have figured that out by now. LOL Go B stay on top!!!!!!!!!!!
anything with micheal ealy…i will see.he is FOINE
Jscene, Jscene, Jscene…you are truly not a fan of Beyonce. You always have so many negative things to say about the woman like you grew up w/ her or something. LOL!! You are obsessed and crazy as hell to think that what you’ve said about Beyonce has any truth to it!! LOL
Beyonce and Jennifer are going to do great in their upcoming movie roles. I’m happy for all of our Black people doing big things! Love Tyler Perry…he has a movie coming out on 3-21 and I can’t wait to see that one.
Like the other millions of people who saw Dreamgirls and all her other movies I will go see it just because BEYONCE is in it.
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Ugh…go bey…make that money bey…keep makin those haters mad bey….
Who cares if you are completely wrong for the part bey just keep makin those haters mad…ughblah blah blah…only a 20 something year old would say something like this.
Beyonce is very successful, no one is denying that. Especially when she has maniac obssessive stans who spend their whole allowances on House of Do it So Wrong clothing, and mistaken her acting as artistry. I think she is a wonderful entertainer. The way that lacefront blows and shakes is like its an entity of its own. LOL I’m just joshing you, but seriously she is a wonderful pop entertainer and she is one hard working woman, But after 6 or 7 movies…and you’re acting is still laughable (not good when you are in a dramatic role) maybe this is one thing she should leave alone. Or at the very least, dedicate herself to going to school for acting. Some people can roll out of bed and say…”I think I want to be an actress”. Some people can’t and need to work at it. She has established herself as a phenomenal pop artist. She’s been singing since she was 2 or 3. That is her talent. If she is serious about winning an Oscar by the time she is 30…then she needs to dedicate herself fully to it. Take a few years to completely dedicate yourself to Acting. Take a break from singing…hell she’s worked hard and long enough to take a break, But she is not a person who is naturally talented in acting….period. This has nothing to do with hating…its the TRUTH.
beyonce can’t act BUT the producers don’t care. it’s all about revenue and they know her obsessed will actually watch the movie. they’re smart if you think about it
Beyonce sucks in acting, they should have picked someone else.
Who in heaven’s name thought to cast her to play Etta James ? Jay-Z ? That is by far the stupidest choice for the part…If you know ANYTHING about MS. JAMES, you would know that BEY is NOT a good person for the part. Shame…I can think of SO MANY OTHER TALENTED ACTRESSES/SINGERS who could bring that part home..
Who in heaven’s name thought to cast her to play Etta James ? Jay-Z ?
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No I don’t think it was Jay…he’s a realist. This has Matthew and Beyonce written all over it.
bey looks good in that pic but how long ago was that pic this might be her chance to prove that she can multi task …. mathew beg for this and i mean he beggggged…..lolol
I just have to comment on this post. First of all, I am NOT nor have I ever been jealous of Beyonce in any form or fashion. I do not sing, dance and/or attempt to act. However, I am grounded in reality. She does NOT have the depth of character or the singing ability to pull this role off successfully. She is overly ambitious and reaching far beyond her scope. Someone earlier had posted about Diana Ross and her being in comparasion. Good! I have respect for these ladies contributes to the pop culture of today. They have there places, just not along side Ms. Franklin, Patti LaBelle and Etta James. They are heavy hitters in the R&B arena.
They(Beyonce and Diana Ross) have the same type of singing abilities to me. She(Beyonce) is out of her league even attempting to “sing” like Ms. Etta. Forget the acting aspect of the equation.
It is a shame when the white culture has more respest for our contributions to the music industry…There is no other race, in my opinion, that has been mimiced, duplicated and so forth more than African-Americans. It is a part of our legacy and as a new generation of supposely highly educated and more informed Americans that we protect these influences. It is simply another facet that “others” are taking and violating us with.
We should voice our disdain for this type of treatment in our cultural arts. She was not choosen became of talent and ability but commericalism. Mainstream American is gleeful about our musicial talents being so “average”. However, they know that you are conditioned to receive and accept 2nd best, so you will go and rant and rave about wonderful she was because you do not know any better!
Can’t wait to see Beyonce!
We should voice our disdain for this type of treatment in our cultural arts. She was not choosen became of talent and ability but commericalism. Mainstream American is gleeful about our musicial talents being so “average”. However, they know that you are conditioned to receive and accept 2nd best, so you will go and rant and rave about wonderful she was because you do not know any better!
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I agree with you 100% but how do we fight for something that we never owned? Yes we created it, but we never reaped the benefits of profit…we only recieved a small portion. With all of the Diddy’s, Jay-Zs, Dupris, etc we never EVER owned our own mass distribution. This applies to film as well. I believe oprah is the only african american woman who owns her own studio…Harpo. And because of this she is able to produce and distribute films that better us as a people. For all of you who don’t know, distribution is where the money is…owning your own label or declared President of a label is wonderful, but owning your own distribution is even better.
Makes you wonder how she keeps getting these roles… That’s hollywood for ya… It’s who u know literally…
Beyonce cannot act. Before she takes on such a challening role, she needs to consider taking some acting classes. Especially, if she wants to get a potential oscar. It doesn’t matter how much money the movie may gross, it depends on whether or not it has “Oscar” Potential.
She should stick with singing.
IF Beyonce really wants this role and raly wants to do Etta justice then she will put everything on hold and dedicate herself to strengthing her craft as an actress or lac thereof. Her acting , in my opinion, is like dancing by numbers. Smile here, give your line, push your lips out, swing your hair and cut for the next scene. Acting is one area where Beyonce’s talent to entertain on a stage does not lend itself. Mainstream will go see it because of Beyonce not because they know anything about Etta and her talent. This is a waste, pray this a rumor and cooler heads prevail.
Damn Everybody Hate on Bee Lol……..I mean She’s so talented why hate on her for? Whats has she done to yall? But Go Bee you do you and kill dat shyt. and tht Tyler Perry movie seems pretty good.
IF THIS IS TRUE, THE PRODUCER IS THE ONE THAT CHOOSE HER. SOME OF YOU ACT LIKE PEOPLE JUST GO IN AND SAY I WANT THE PART AND THE PRODUCER OR WRITER SAYS OKAY.
@ # 174
All those people you mentioned will have the film go straight to DVD.
@ # 180 the response to my orginal post # 174
All those people you mentioned will have the film go straight to DVD
Congrats Bee! Hollywood truly loves this talented woman! I can’t wait to see this movie. Bee and Cedric the Entertainer in the same movie will be off the charts! I am so looking forward to this!
I guess when Bee sings she survived the Haters, she was talking to the catty folks on this board!LOL Jill Scott really needed Bee in her video…
Hate on me, hater
Now or later
‘Cuz I’m gonna do me
You’ll be mad, baby
(Go ‘head and hate)
Go ‘head and hate on me, hate on
‘Cuz I’m not afraid of it
What I got I paid for
You can hate on me
No matter where I live,
Despite the things I give,
You’ll always be this way
So go ‘head and….
(Chorus)
Hate on me, hater
Now or later
‘Cuz I’m gonna do me
You’ll be mad, baby
(Go ‘head and hate)
Go ‘head and hate on me, hate on
‘Cuz I’m not afraid of it
What I got I paid for
You can hate on me
You cannot hate on me
‘Cuz my mind is free
Feel my destiny
So shall it be
interesting movie
can’t wait to see B in it, I hope she’ll sing “at last”,it’s a beautiful song
I think they need to give Cristina A. some makeup and let it do what it do!!!! I love Ms B, but I think Etta James’ vocals are way beyond B’s range. Xtina would kill that!
Ahh who gives a damn! Beyonce is a successful woman doing something she loves. Compared to other females in the industry her age she is a good role model. If she wants to take a role where she does nothing but sit in a corner and chant the alphabet to herself she can. It’s her life and career not anyone elses. If this is the direction she wants to go that’s her choice. No one on this site has hundreds of people constantly trying to give them life and career advice. Some of this internet life coaches kill me. You constantly try to spout what you think another person should do with their life like they give a damn or your opinion matters to them. The woman has been doing fine so far in her life and career and she must be doing something right if she achieved the level of success she has. Whoever gave her the role obviously thought she was a good fit for the part it’s their movie not yours so get over it. If you don’t like who they chose for the role get a video camera and film your own movie on Etta’s life and put it up on youtube. Maybe a big Hollywood executive will see it and like your vision better and do something with it.
I can’t wait for Spike’s new movie. Derek Luke is one of my favs.
I’m not a hater, but I feel that Beyonce is the most OVER RATED chick in the industry today! Please don’t get me wrong. Ms.Knowles does have talent, but not nearly as much as she is credited with.She is a wonderful performer, but as an actress she is mediocre. If she did cry after not receiving an Oscar then she might as well pull out the tissues. Unless she has gone through some serious acting lessons, she is going to be crying again.I feel like there are several other ladies(both famous and not) that could have don’t this role justice! Beyonce is making her money though so congrats.
As soon as they tell Bey she needs to thicken up to play Etta – it will be a done deal. Etta was a thick sister and I can’t see Bey wanting to pack on the pounds for the sake of an Oscar.
#181,
You must have truly lost your mind….Queen LAtifah a D-list star?….That lady has many accomplishments, endorsements, and all the other successes. Not only is she archived as one of the greatest female rappers, she is also a well accomplished jazz and blues singer, and a very successful actress. I mean did you see this lady in Chicago? Or have you listened to any of her albums…She has way more talent and she can act her butt off. She’s one of the few black actresses that have had the numerous opportunities to work with major actors and actresses such as Diane Keaton, Steve Martin, and Catherine Zeta Jones…the list goes on. You can clearly see that Beyonce was chosen simply because of her fame in the pop world and all her fans would go see it which would bring in revenue. For those who know about Etta James…it’s sad that her story will get no true justice. I bet 9 out of 10 people who see the movie will still have no knowledge of Etta…they will just be worried about how good Beyonce does or look…etc…Some people just need to stick with what they are good at…Beyonce is good at singing in the pop culture….leave acting to those that have studied and pulled the grades to play these wonderful parts.
oooooh @ #25!! I would have loved to see LAtifah with this part!! She would’ve been perfect! I don’t know if Bey will justify Etta’s significance as much witn this role, she is not that great of an actress..I’m just saying…to carry a biopic.
I luv Spike’s and Tyler’s movies!! can’t wait!
Beyonce playing Etta James thats a laugh she doesnt have the voice to pull off stormy weather, at last these are great songs but Beyonce give me a break I’m not hating but being over the age of 25 I know how Etta James is and her music you guys should check out her songs and you will see what i am talking about also her biography is a great read Rage to Survive so Beyonce is the wrong choice glad J-Hud isn’t having a slump and T Perry doing the thing the Spike Lee movie should be good cause the book was real good. Expand your mind
OUT
I seriously doubt Beyonce will gain the weight…and not because she doesn’t want to but because if she’s gotten this role, it’s because of her appeal…and her appeal in inextricably tied to her looks…there’s no way they’ll risk her not being able to get back to regular form by the time they begin promoting the film…. To give her a bit of credit, the producers of Dreamgirls did her dirty…she gave that film loads of free promotion in her own interviews about her album and career and once it was clear that Jennifer Hudson was carrying the film, they ditched the girl, saying publicly that Jennifer stole the show. So, I really hope that whatever free promotion this movie gets isn’t at her expense…
……um ok….huh?….really? Can I get a role please give me my acting debut! Bea can sing, dance and perform her ass off at concerts, shows,ets. But acting…no dear! Some things are just not meant for you sweety…and i say this with love bey cause I am yo numeral uno in the stans club….don’t do it, let someone else have it! Make another album and leave that genre to the ppl that can act. You # 1 when it comes to musical entertainment…just don’t try and mix it up with acting.
I think a lot of people underestimate Beyonce. Frankly, I think she was a good choice for the role because I think she can make herself sound like Etta James. We don’t know if Chrisette Michele can even act and Countess Vaughn is wayyyy tooo below the radar to be cast in any movie. Like someone else said its just her time to shine so why not take advantage. Why would her daddy have to pay for her opportunities just so they can pay her…it makes no sense. I guess behind every successful person lies a bunch of haters.
Kudo’s to Beyonce!!! I’ve seen footage of Etta and Beyonce can definitely handle this role. I think she did well as Deena too. The role called for barely any speaking in a lot of scenes and yet she pulled it off; you remembered she was in that scene. As she gets more scenes that’ll evoke her to show passion, the better she’ll become as an actress. It’s hard for black actresses in Hollywood so whatever she gets, I’m rooting for her.
PEOPLE PLEASE STOP HATING ON BEY!!!! IT’S NOT THAT CRUCIAL. THE MOVIE IS NOT EVEN BASED OFF OF ETTA JAMES. IT’S THE RECORD LABEL. HER IS NOT HORRIBLE SHE JUST NEED TO WORK ON SOME STUFF BUT I RESPECT HER BECAUSE WHATEVER SHE NEEDS TO IMPROVE SHE’LL DO THAT AND NO MATTER YALL THINK THE FACT REMAINS SHE WAS NOMINATED FOR OSCAR AND A GOLDEN GLOBE.
I LOOK FORWARD SEEING ALL THESE MOVIES.
To all of you people saying Beyonce can handle the role (and it’s not just you stans, oddly enough my friend thinks she’ll better handle Etta than she did Diana/Deena…he insists much of what made her such a wreck in Dreamgirls was her uncomfortable struggle against sounding ghetto)…I say….her performance in Dreamgirls says she can’t. First of all, I don’t even know that she gets what acting is… She, literally, stood around gazing awkwardly until performance scenes…and then she imitated Diana as someone might during a coversation around the dinner table….surface, easy stuff anybody might do in jest: hunching her back, contorting her mouth that way. It was awful, sorry…
Uh Oh! Here we go again! I wonder…how hard can it be be to portray a singer when you are a singer. Well she sure wont see any awards with another singing role again. Way To Go Bey…. I was really rutin for you.
Damn, I thought Etta James was “Jade” from ANTM cycle 6!
Beyawnce’s voice and acting skills are not strong enough to play Etta James. It just won’t work. She’ll have to lipsync. They should’ve offered the part to a professional actress who can sing. There are plenty of actresses who could play the role. They only gave her the role, because of who she is. They know that she has a lot of fans who support her and see the movie. They should give Nia Long to play the part. She could lipsync like Angela Bassett did with Tina Turner. I know Beyawnce desperately wants to be taken seriously as an actress, but how can she when all of her acting jobs involve her being a singer? She’s already typecast.
I am so sick of this horse hair heffa….we need to see someone NEW now.!!!!!
she need to take a break..for awhile and let someone else have a opportunity to be seen geezzzzzzzzzzzzzzze
yo, dead ass, beyonce can’t see etta james..so why she playing her???
oh and i love bee….but seriously..she cant see Etta James…
DAMN!!!!!!
the hate on this topic and I’m sure 90%of people complainin’ didn’t know who was Etta James and didn’t even care about her until it became Beyoncé related.
SO SAD!
Do ur thing beyonce !!!
To the Movin_On_Up person I disagree with you I didn’t know who Etta James was I had to google her so she should glad that someone as big as Beyonce is going to play her!!!!!!! They should have got somewashed up celebrity!!!!!!
Beyonce is going to do a great job as Etta James. I’m tired of some people saying that Beyonce is not soulful. Just because she’s a gorgeous girl and is polished, doesn’t mean that she isn’t soulful. It’s like a black woman can’t be beautiful without people saying that she only relies on her look. Anybody not in denial can see that Beyonce has a tremendous amount of talent and creativity. She’s really the only triple threat out there, and the girl has a great work ethic.
As far as Beyonce doing another singing role, there are people whose whole career were just musicals. But Beyonce has only done one true musical and that was Dreamgirls. Beyonce didn’t sing that much in Goldmember. She had only one scene where she sung. She was a spy in the movie. In the Fighting Temptations, she was a single, young mother. In the Pink Panther, she had a small role playing a world-famous singer. Of course in Dreamgirls, it was about the internal struggles of a girl group. So even though she’s sung in her all her movies, the characters’ lives have always had varied backgrounds. She has had to show different sides to herself in each.
She has always done a nice job in her movies and with only four movies under her belt she’ll continue to grow as an actress. I think with the Etta movie she’ll have her most challenging and versatile role yet, I know the girl is up for it because she is the very definition of a true artist.
“I didn’t here any of you complain when they use Angelina Jolie to play a black woman in ” a mighty Heart””
UUMMM. EVERYBODY was whilin’ out and going crazy. STFU. How you going to make a comparison/analogy example that is completely the opposite of what you’re trying to make? LMFAO.
Let her play the part so the backlash that started since dreamgirls will continue beyonce you are the greatest keep on believing that okay!^^ jhud still got the oscar and you know why they gaVe it to her beyonce? so you can seat your chicken ass down and realize that they are out there to get you! and you’re sitting there waiting to get get! even if you love to act dumb come on….
I love Beyonce as a singer/performer, I think maybe she will do a good job playing Etta James in a movie. Beyonce is know Hallle Berry of course but give her chance she wants a oscar too. Beyonce says she do hope to retire at 30 years old she got about four more years to go.
@ OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT #48. THANK YOU FOR PUTTING IT OUT THERE EVERYTIME SOME ONE DONT LIKE BEYONCEI MEAN GOD FORBID EVERY BODY GOTTA BE A HATER!!! BREAKING NEWS!!!! THIS JUST IN.. SOME PEOPLE ARE INDIVIDUALS WITH THEIR OWN BRAINS NO ONE HAS TO LOVE BEYONCE DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes Bey is a good entertainer I aint taking nothing from her but her voice isn’t hardly as soulful as no Etta James and its clear she’s getting the part because of her status!! AN whoever keep saying she aint mad for not getting a Oscar from Dreamgirls.. GET REAL… yall act like Bey breaks yall off some of them millions!!! She is a singer not the MESSIAH GOTDAMN!!!!!
I look forward to the Tyler Perry movie with Jennifer Hudson. I bet Tyler will have Jennifer working to bring out her character since folks keep saying that Jen has nothing else to look forward to after winning the oscar. If that were the case, the same goes with Beyonce. Beyonce is at the top of her game and have done so much and worked with so many people. I guess I’m too young because I never heard of Etta James. I’ll have to look her up to see what the fuss is about. But I do agree that Beyonce can’t act. I’ve seen enough movies to agree. My little sister can act better than Be, she just need to meet the right people to get noticed.
BEYINCE IS PLAYED OUT. SHE DOESN’T LOOK LIKE ETTA JAMES. THAT’S AN INSULT. ETTA JAMES IS A GOOD LOOKING WOMAN. THEY NEED TO GET SOMEONE WITH A VOICE LIKE FANTASIA . I AM ETTA JAMES AGE AND I WAS AROUND WHEN SHE FIRST CAME OUT . HEAVY SET POWERFUL VOICE BLACK WOMAN THAT CAN SING.BEYONCE CAN’T TOUCH ETTA JAMES. FIND SOMEONE WHO CAN SING LIKE BACK IN THE DAY
JANE
I say it’s a good look for Beyonce. If she were to play Etta, it’ll bring a twist to Beyonce’s personality. I also think Beyonce sounds wonderful when she sings in different voices as she’s done so many times on her albums, I could see her pulling this off no problem. Beyonce needs a role like this and others that convey emotion/passion to help develop her acting craft. Beyonce excels in whatever she does because she studies and becomes what it is. Congrats to Beyonce.
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That’s sad when Etta James is thrilled Beyonce will play her in the movie about her and there still hating ass people on here complaining . This proves that ya’ll waste ya’ll time complaining about what and who should play Etta and she wants Beyonce to play her , matter of fact she is helping B get ready for the movie , so all hating needs to end here because if Etta don’t mind it why do you ?
I hate haters!!! Yall make me sick!! Why???? Just because you cant do what she does.!! This girls has been talented since she was a little girl and you cant seems to be in her shoes and get what she has gotten!! I love BEYONCE and she has a talent.. I’ve over people say when GOD give you a talent and you dont use it he takes it away and she’s doing a hell of a job with her acting and singing!! Listen yall get to where she is and do what yall gots to do and leave her out of it because yall are some hating a** people!! And let her do her sh**. GO BEYONCE’!! Your #1 fan!!
I don’t think Beyonce is a stong enough actress to pull off Etta James. You can’t cast her in every part that involves singing. There is more to the life of Etta James than the signing. Use an accomplished actress and have her lipsync. Beyonce is not a bad actress but I wasn’t sold on Beyonce as Deena in Dream Girls, I don’t care what the price you can’t sell me Beyonce as Etta James.
I’m tired everytime someone state their opinion they say your a hatter. it is widley known in the industry that beyonce has no talent come on everybody alicia keys ,rihanna,keisha cole,leona lewis, mary j all are making better music then beyonce they music have soal something you can feel beyonce music has no soal . its all about good music the only reason why she sells is become she appears naked for the camera she is a sex symbol who should be doing play boy instead.
thats shameful when she was at the awards performing the host said she overdues it every year and now for her new album she wants everyone to call her sasha feirce you have the stars then the wannabe stars. if she was making good music like she did in destany child then i would say cool when she went solo her baby boy album was the best solo album i don’t like the new stuff . she is to wild and she wears a size 11 shoe she changed the texture of her skin to look spanish and she had a nose job done even though you really can’t tell 105.5 radio station nyc announced that and she is too weevable. that is not natrual beauty every one is melting because she is always naked i would not want my daughter to be fade by that this is my opinion and a whole lot of peoples opinion about her. she is not getting good ratings from fans right now you can say i’m hatting but i have a right to freedom of speech on my own opinion.
You could definitely see your enthusiasm in the work you write. The arena hopes for more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to say how they believe. At all times follow your heart.