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Thread started 04/30/16 3:17pm

bashraka

The inevitable Biographical Movie About Prince

It always happen when a prominent celebrity dies-Hollywood fall over themselves trying to produce a biogrpahical picture about the subject's life. I doubt the family and legal counsel of Prince can prevent a movie made about his life from going forward but they could deny licensing rights to use his music. I would hate to see Prince's life depicted on Lifetime or Wendy Williams involved. How would you want his life portrayed on film? What would be the storyline?

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Reply #1 posted 04/30/16 3:23pm

Adorecream

bashraka said:

It always happen when a prominent celebrity dies-Hollywood fall over themselves trying to produce a biogrpahical picture about the subject's life. I doubt the family and legal counsel of Prince can prevent a movie made about his life from going forward but they could deny licensing rights to use his music. I would hate to see Prince's life depicted on Lifetime or Wendy Williams involved. How would you want his life portrayed on film? What would be the storyline?

Something that is accurate, shows a lot of true life scenes (Like concert footage) and shows the inner pain of his success. Think something like the very good 2000 Little Richard Biopic, which showed his struggles growing up as a poor and overtly bisexual, flamboyant black man in the deep south and the acting was so well done with Leon playing Little Richard (Hard to believe this was the actor who played Derise Bannock in Cool Runnings).

.

I can see something like as Prince was little Richard like in his performance his love life (Lucille was very much the Susannah, a wild girl for the wild boy, but Richard like Prince balked when she wanted commitment in the form of marriage). Plus a piece about Prince's spiritual struggles with God and Sex just like Richard had with his 1957 breakdown in Sydney where he found the Lord.

.

As far as actors go, could do a black guy, but maybe a light skinned one who looked like Prince say Shemar Moore or someone like that. Preferably some one with musical talent, or even Jamie Foxx who did a more than credible Ray Charles. Prince is light, but he had very Black facial features and a darker African American star could easily wear some make of blush to appear Prince's colouring. Plus some musical talent helps too, especially on piano and guitar.

Got some kind of love for you, and I don't even know your name
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Reply #2 posted 04/30/16 3:33pm

PeteSilas

Hate to say it but America generally doesn't rush to make movies on black icons. Elvis had one out within two years and it was great. He's had many since, but guys like Ellington, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Louis Armstrong, all giants, usually are neglected.

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Reply #3 posted 04/30/16 3:36pm

bashraka

Adorecream said:

bashraka said:

It always happen when a prominent celebrity dies-Hollywood fall over themselves trying to produce a biogrpahical picture about the subject's life. I doubt the family and legal counsel of Prince can prevent a movie made about his life from going forward but they could deny licensing rights to use his music. I would hate to see Prince's life depicted on Lifetime or Wendy Williams involved. How would you want his life portrayed on film? What would be the storyline?

Something that is accurate, shows a lot of true life scenes (Like concert footage) and shows the inner pain of his success. Think something like the very good 2000 Little Richard Biopic, which showed his struggles growing up as a poor and overtly bisexual, flamboyant black man in the deep south and the acting was so well done with Leon playing Little Richard (Hard to believe this was the actor who played Derise Bannock in Cool Runnings).

.

I can see something like as Prince was little Richard like in his performance his love life (Lucille was very much the Susannah, a wild girl for the wild boy, but Richard like Prince balked when she wanted commitment in the form of marriage). Plus a piece about Prince's spiritual struggles with God and Sex just like Richard had with his 1957 breakdown in Sydney where he found the Lord.

.

As far as actors go, could do a black guy, but maybe a light skinned one who looked like Prince say Shemar Moore or someone like that. Preferably some one with musical talent, or even Jamie Foxx who did a more than credible Ray Charles. Prince is light, but he had very Black facial features and a darker African American star could easily wear some make of blush to appear Prince's colouring. Plus some musical talent helps too, especially on piano and guitar.

Would hiring a white actor be too controversial to play Prince, even if the actor had similar physique and some musical training to pull off the dramatic punctuations of drama with dialogue and music?

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Reply #4 posted 04/30/16 3:42pm

bashraka

PeteSilas said:

Hate to say it but America generally doesn't rush to make movies on black icons. Elvis had one out within two years and it was great. He's had many since, but guys like Ellington, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Louis Armstrong, all giants, usually are neglected.

Because of Prince's star power and cultural impact globally-Prince might be exception to that. When I saw global landmarks like Eiffel Tower, Empire State Building, Niagara Fall honor Prince by lighting it purple, that's money in Hollywood's eyes, I would think.

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Reply #5 posted 04/30/16 3:44pm

PeteSilas

bashraka said:

Adorecream said:

Something that is accurate, shows a lot of true life scenes (Like concert footage) and shows the inner pain of his success. Think something like the very good 2000 Little Richard Biopic, which showed his struggles growing up as a poor and overtly bisexual, flamboyant black man in the deep south and the acting was so well done with Leon playing Little Richard (Hard to believe this was the actor who played Derise Bannock in Cool Runnings).

.

I can see something like as Prince was little Richard like in his performance his love life (Lucille was very much the Susannah, a wild girl for the wild boy, but Richard like Prince balked when she wanted commitment in the form of marriage). Plus a piece about Prince's spiritual struggles with God and Sex just like Richard had with his 1957 breakdown in Sydney where he found the Lord.

.

As far as actors go, could do a black guy, but maybe a light skinned one who looked like Prince say Shemar Moore or someone like that. Preferably some one with musical talent, or even Jamie Foxx who did a more than credible Ray Charles. Prince is light, but he had very Black facial features and a darker African American star could easily wear some make of blush to appear Prince's colouring. Plus some musical talent helps too, especially on piano and guitar.

Would hiring a white actor be too controversial to play Prince, even if the actor had similar physique and some musical training to pull off the dramatic punctuations of drama with dialogue and music?

fuck yea, that would be insulting and wrong. One thing Prince did after his breathrough is he went back home, all the way.

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Reply #6 posted 04/30/16 3:45pm

sfinky1

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No. Just no.
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Reply #7 posted 04/30/16 3:46pm

PeteSilas

bashraka said:

PeteSilas said:

Hate to say it but America generally doesn't rush to make movies on black icons. Elvis had one out within two years and it was great. He's had many since, but guys like Ellington, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Louis Armstrong, all giants, usually are neglected.

Because of Prince's star power and cultural impact globally-Prince might be exception to that. When I saw global landmarks like Eiffel Tower, Empire State Building, Niagara Fall honor Prince by lighting it purple, that's money in Hollywood's eyes, I would think.

I hope so, just going off history. It happens in boxing too, the best fighter who ever lived Sugar Ray Robinson has never had a movie even considered. Two of his rivals have had classics done on their lives starring the best actors, doesn't happen for black greats.

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Reply #8 posted 04/30/16 3:50pm

purplethunder3
121

avatar

I won't watch it. disbelief

"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." --Plato

https://youtu.be/CVwv9LZMah0
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Reply #9 posted 04/30/16 3:53pm

babynoz

I don't want to see anything thrown together too soon and in poor taste. I would prefer a documentary tbh.

I did see someone suggesting that Jussie Smollett from Empire should play him but the real question is what actor has the skills?

I think Robert Ri'chard is a better actor.

Prince, in you I found a kindred spirit...Rest In Paradise.
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Reply #10 posted 04/30/16 3:57pm

babynoz

purplethunder3121 said:

I won't watch it. disbelief



I hear ya. I don't watch many biopics because they're all too cheesy and smarmy. I don't think I could bear to watch anytime soon.....maybe some years from now.

Somebody suggested Jayden Smith but that chile can't act his way out of a paper bag.

Prince, in you I found a kindred spirit...Rest In Paradise.
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Reply #11 posted 04/30/16 3:58pm

Replica

avatar

It would be more accurate if it was animated than if they had to find an actor suitable to play Prince. It didn't work with James Brown. It sure won't work with Prince. Was the Miles movie any good?

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Reply #12 posted 04/30/16 4:00pm

PeteSilas

The james movie was actually pretty darned good, lots of imperfections but I liked it a lot. it was though, a flop like you say, i think it lost about 15 mill.

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Reply #13 posted 04/30/16 4:01pm

PeteSilas

babynoz said:

I don't want to see anything thrown together too soon and in poor taste. I would prefer a documentary tbh.

I did see someone suggesting that Jussie Smollett from Empire should play him but the real question is what actor has the skills?

I think Robert Ri'chard is a better actor.

you'd be suprised but John Carpenter's "Elvis" was made a couple years after Elvis' death and it's still the best thing ever done, if people are inspired, miracles can happen. The key is having the right people, that is to say people who actually believe in the subject.

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Reply #14 posted 04/30/16 4:13pm

babynoz

PeteSilas said:

babynoz said:

I don't want to see anything thrown together too soon and in poor taste. I would prefer a documentary tbh.

I did see someone suggesting that Jussie Smollett from Empire should play him but the real question is what actor has the skills?

I think Robert Ri'chard is a better actor.

you'd be suprised but John Carpenter's "Elvis" was made a couple years after Elvis' death and it's still the best thing ever done, if people are inspired, miracles can happen. The key is having the right people, that is to say people who actually believe in the subject.



That is very true. Back then it seems they put more thought into biopics and even miniseries, but I still wonder if I could even watch?

Prince, in you I found a kindred spirit...Rest In Paradise.
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Reply #15 posted 04/30/16 4:15pm

irresistiblebi
tch666

I would like to see it but it wont happen. Hollywood has been racist since "Birth Of A Nation" and it will not change cause Prince has passed away. Hell, I am surprised that Don Cheadle got funding for the miles davis biopic and even that is in limited release. Hypothetically speaking if a prince biopic were to happen, it cannot be a theatrical release. It would have to be a miniseries. We are talking about a 37 year career and you cant cram all the important stuff into a little 2 hour movie. The turbulent childhood has to be discussed. The beginnings of Prince's career have to be discussed. The battle with warners definitely have to be discussed. Oh and the women. You cant have a prince miniseries without discussing the women. There should be at least an hour each devoted to all of Prince's muses. You know like Vanity and Susannah and Msyte. Boy Gregory's death also needs to be discussed. I could go on for hours about what we need to see in a prince miniseries but you get the gist. If the miniseries does hapoen, Spike Lee should direct and Jussie Smollett should play prince.
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Reply #16 posted 04/30/16 4:16pm

PeteSilas

anyway, i'm more into great docus, those will definitely be done.

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Reply #17 posted 04/30/16 4:48pm

purplethunder3
121

avatar

PeteSilas said:

babynoz said:

I don't want to see anything thrown together too soon and in poor taste. I would prefer a documentary tbh.

I did see someone suggesting that Jussie Smollett from Empire should play him but the real question is what actor has the skills?

I think Robert Ri'chard is a better actor.

you'd be suprised but John Carpenter's "Elvis" was made a couple years after Elvis' death and it's still the best thing ever done, if people are inspired, miracles can happen. The key is having the right people, that is to say people who actually believe in the subject.

I thought the Elvis movie starring Kurt Russell and produced by Dick Clark was the best I've seen. Just checked--it is the same movie. Very well done. If someone could do this well by Prince, it would be a miracle.

"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." --Plato

https://youtu.be/CVwv9LZMah0
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Reply #18 posted 04/30/16 4:49pm

irresistiblebi
tch666

PeteSilas said:

The james movie was actually pretty darned good, lots of imperfections but I liked it a lot. it was though, a flop like you say, i think it lost about 15 mill.



Are you serious???? I thought "get it up" was a hit!
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Reply #19 posted 04/30/16 4:57pm

mrwiggles

irresistiblebitch666 said:

PeteSilas said:

The james movie was actually pretty darned good, lots of imperfections but I liked it a lot. it was though, a flop like you say, i think it lost about 15 mill.



Are you serious???? I thought "get it up" was a hit!



I enjoyed the JB flick although it was lacking in areas. How you gonna do a flick om The Godfather with no mention of the great Fred Wesley? I enjoyed Mick Jagger's accompanying HBO documentary Mr Dynamite better though.

I'd like someone to put together a full 2 hour funkumentary on P. Talk to everybody and include some rarities in it. By the way anyone know of any good ones already out?
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Reply #20 posted 04/30/16 4:59pm

purplethunder3
121

avatar

I think a well done biography is the way to go; I would watch that.

"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." --Plato

https://youtu.be/CVwv9LZMah0
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Reply #21 posted 04/30/16 5:08pm

purplethunder3
121

avatar

mrwiggles said:

irresistiblebitch666 said:
Are you serious???? I thought "get it up" was a hit!
I enjoyed the JB flick although it was lacking in areas. How you gonna do a flick om The Godfather with no mention of the great Fred Wesley? I enjoyed Mick Jagger's accompanying HBO documentary Mr Dynamite better though. I'd like someone to put together a full 2 hour funkumentary on P. Talk to everybody and include some rarities in it. By the way anyone know of any good ones already out?

The only good Prince documentary I saw was the Magnoli Files, done way back in the 80s.

"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." --Plato

https://youtu.be/CVwv9LZMah0
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Reply #22 posted 04/30/16 5:30pm

PeteSilas

irresistiblebitch666 said:

PeteSilas said:

The james movie was actually pretty darned good, lots of imperfections but I liked it a lot. it was though, a flop like you say, i think it lost about 15 mill.

Are you serious???? I thought "get it up" was a hit!

financially it was a flop, go check on imdb. lots of people saw it but it did not cover production costs. that equals flop.

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Reply #23 posted 04/30/16 5:34pm

PeteSilas

mrwiggles said:

irresistiblebitch666 said:
Are you serious???? I thought "get it up" was a hit!
I enjoyed the JB flick although it was lacking in areas. How you gonna do a flick om The Godfather with no mention of the great Fred Wesley? I enjoyed Mick Jagger's accompanying HBO documentary Mr Dynamite better though. I'd like someone to put together a full 2 hour funkumentary on P. Talk to everybody and include some rarities in it. By the way anyone know of any good ones already out?

some on youtube, one of the better ones was done by the brits. forget all the names. I also have a very old one which interviews pepe willie and chazz, his cousin. None of those guys had a good word for him then and it was pretty humourous. from what i hear, p patched it up with chazz.

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Reply #24 posted 04/30/16 5:37pm

violectrica

avatar

I don't think anyone in the world looks like prince. So it would be hard for me to watch.
No matter the ©️, Paisley Park "official can never ™️ prince. He gave that to us verbally on Oprah in 1996. You can't take prince away from us, corporate. I mean O ( + >
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Reply #25 posted 04/30/16 5:51pm

TrivialPursuit

avatar

Y'all know they'll try to get Bruno or Miguel to play him. Jamie Foxx will be his father. haha

.

But seriousy - I dread it. And it's going to be a ridiculously popular/unpopular thread on the Org for weeks after. I've foreseen it in my crysball . lol

"eye don’t really care so much what people say about me because it is a reflection of who they r."
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Reply #26 posted 04/30/16 6:09pm

ufoclub

avatar

violectrica said:

I don't think anyone in the world looks like prince. So it would be hard for me to watch.

It would take a big budget and CG to get it right.

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Reply #27 posted 04/30/16 6:12pm

PeteSilas

there was one of the better docus on the minneapolis music scene, which featured everyone, not just Prince, that was actually a really good one but it's pretty much vanished in the intervening years.

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Reply #28 posted 04/30/16 6:27pm

EchoChild

bashraka said:



Adorecream said:




bashraka said:


It always happen when a prominent celebrity dies-Hollywood fall over themselves trying to produce a biogrpahical picture about the subject's life. I doubt the family and legal counsel of Prince can prevent a movie made about his life from going forward but they could deny licensing rights to use his music. I would hate to see Prince's life depicted on Lifetime or Wendy Williams involved. How would you want his life portrayed on film? What would be the storyline?



Something that is accurate, shows a lot of true life scenes (Like concert footage) and shows the inner pain of his success. Think something like the very good 2000 Little Richard Biopic, which showed his struggles growing up as a poor and overtly bisexual, flamboyant black man in the deep south and the acting was so well done with Leon playing Little Richard (Hard to believe this was the actor who played Derise Bannock in Cool Runnings).


.


I can see something like as Prince was little Richard like in his performance his love life (Lucille was very much the Susannah, a wild girl for the wild boy, but Richard like Prince balked when she wanted commitment in the form of marriage). Plus a piece about Prince's spiritual struggles with God and Sex just like Richard had with his 1957 breakdown in Sydney where he found the Lord.


.


As far as actors go, could do a black guy, but maybe a light skinned one who looked like Prince say Shemar Moore or someone like that. Preferably some one with musical talent, or even Jamie Foxx who did a more than credible Ray Charles. Prince is light, but he had very Black facial features and a darker African American star could easily wear some make of blush to appear Prince's colouring. Plus some musical talent helps too, especially on piano and guitar.




Would hiring a white actor be too controversial to play Prince, even if the actor had similar physique and some musical training to pull off the dramatic punctuations of drama with dialogue and music?


It would be disrespectful, IMO. Jussie Smollet. Light skinned, can actually sing and play.
[Edited 4/30/16 18:28pm]
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Reply #29 posted 04/30/16 7:16pm

Adorecream

I agree with most of the comments, but the actor has to be Black who plays Prince. Prince was veryproud of his blackness. Hitn Run Phase 2 his last album was one of the blackest he had doen with all the funkhorns and songs like Black Muse, Baltimore, Look at me look at u etc.

.

Sure get in whites to play people like Susannah Melvoin, Owen Husney, Steve Fargnoli etc, but I would accommodate a mixed person like say Justin Guarini to play Prince at some parts of his career like the Lovesexy to Gold Experience when he was very pale. But otherwise we could almost get Malik Yoba or even Kele Okereke or one of those British Nigerian guys with with O names for the first 21 years and last 5 (Keep forgetting Olajuwon or something). I mean Prince looked pretty darkskinned right up to the Controversy era and even early 1999 ear like my Avatar.

.

Putting a white guy into play Prince would destroy the credibility of the movie and I know Prince himself, his soul would be insulted. lways have a brother play a brother. I agree any member of the Smollett family or even a DeBrage would be perfect (Chico Debarge for instance does look like him).

Got some kind of love for you, and I don't even know your name
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