Mary J Blige is "attached" to an untitled Nina Simone biopic movie. Anyone heard anything further about this tragedy?

I love 'em both. But I wonder how Mary's voice will translate, if they decide to use it. Their singing styles are completely different.

GangstaFam said:

There are some similarities. I think if MJB got a coach, she could pull it off.

sorry but she's really unworthy imo

Like, no one sounds near as serious as Nina Simone.

I can kind of see how Mary fits the bill, looks-wise, but yeah, I don't know what they're gonna do about the singing.

squiddyren said:

her ass has got to lip synch it all, her voice can't match the legend. and her acting abilities aren't that great neither... of all people they had to pick her ass???

squiddyren said:

ditto.

menace said:

Agree!

weepingwall said:

I just pray they don't fuck it up but I must admit I don't understand the casting choice. Mary will surprise me if she can act, which will be great. But I'm scared to risk a first time performance on such a huge role. And like many have said their styles couldn't be more different

Number one: THEY LOOK NOTHING ALIKE. Number two: They ACT NOTHING ALIKE. This is such a miscast it's unbelievable. Whoever is making this film, has latched on to someone who's popular in hopes of bringing Nina's spirit, and message, across to a wider market - hohum who cares about that theory? In all honesty I think this is such utter disrespect; Nina deserves so much more than "The Queen of Ghetto Hip Hop Soul" MJB (Not my title,just what's been printed about Mary for years).

There are so many other obvious choices of who SHOULD portray Dr. Simone. India. Aire; gave an excellent portrayal on the TV show "American Dreams". I ran out and rented the DVD just to see if she could pull it off and she sure did. Not only does she LOOK like Nina; but she also had the mannerism, and facial expressions down packed. Plus she sounded like Nina when she sung. The only drawback...Our very humble Ms.Aire was terribly nervous and this was very apparent while watching this performance.

Other possibilities include: Kimberly Elise, why on earth isn't this girl getting more roles? She's a very talented actress. Hell, I'd even be happy with the model Celestina (from the "Black Sweat" video) portraying Nina, who cares if she can act - at least she looks like her. And the real bottom of the barrel...Alfre Woodard. I'm NO FAN of Ms. Woodard; but I think even she would do a better job than MJB. This is going to be a disaster; I guess that's why no one has heard any further news as of yet.

CalhounSq said:

This won't be Mary's first acting performance. She's done some guest appearances on a couple of TV shows and she did a made for tv BET movie. If she's been working on her acting abilities, I think she'll pull it off just fine.

Congrats on getting the gig, Mary!!

SexyBeautifulOne said:

BET's "Prison Song"....and the Oscar goes to... LOL

Nina Simone - Mississippi Goddam

http://www.youtube.com/wa...karOiWLLtY

DaisyHall said:

Hey, hey, hey...I didn't say they were great performances, I was just pointing out that she has acted before. BTW, that should be...and the Emmy goes to...

DaisyHall said:

First of all, how is it disrespect? If you think it's a bad casting choice, that's a different story. Why would that make it disrespectful? You make it sound like Mary J.'s gonna be stomping all over Nina's grave, doing melismatic runs and singing "Girl couuuuuldn't siiiii-iiii-iiiing a lick!" Secondly, she's never been labeled the "queen of ghetto hip hop soul." That's your own label. She's often been referred to as the queen of hip hop soul. Don't know where you get the ghetto part from.

The only drawback...Our very humble Ms.Aire was terribly nervous and this was very apparent while watching this performance. You don't think that's a big drawback? If India Arie can't act, why hire her? Nothing against her, I like her a lot, but that's worse than hiring somebody that can act and making them lip synch. My guess is that appearance isn't going to play too big a part, because the general public doesn't even know what she looks like. If I were you, I'd be more worried about the rumored writer of the project, who's only done work on sitcoms up to this point.

RipHer2Shreds said:

I almost think part of some folks' beef with the idea of Mary playing Nina Simone has more to do with a bias against the type of artist she is than anything. If it were an artist they liked better, they'd probably cream their pants, but because it's a popular act whose songs get played on the radio and whose videos get played on BET, it's a "disgrace".

Same with Fantasia and Missy Elliott getting biopic deals. If it were India Arie or Erykah Badu getting them, folks would probably be a little less harsh, but NOOO, since it's "that howling "American Idol" winner" and "that fat chick who sang "Get Ur Freak On"", it's a big whoop.

Just my . I ain't tryin' to pick a fight with anyone who disagrees.

Was India.Arie busy, when they were casting for this?

ThreadBare said:

HOT DAMN what a good question!!!! I love the idea of India And I like the Kimberly Elise suggestion too... DAMN!!

CalhounSq said:

India radiates strength and grace in a way similar to the way Nina did. Mary J. doesn't come close, and I still don't think, talented as she is, Kimberly Elise has it either.

CalhounSq said:

Kimberly Elise is a fantastic actress. I loved her in Woman Thou Are Loosed. Can she sing?

RipHer2Shreds said:

Yeah, but her vibe isn't Simonesque.

She does "I'm this close to snapping!" really well, though.

oh NOOOO

SHE SUCKS

ykno I think roles like this oughta be left to someone who can't sing but can act, lipsync to the original singer's tracks, and has a similar likeness..

you know..

Angela Bassett as Tina Turner
Jennifer Lopez as Selena

CinisterCee said:

I think there are a ton of women out there that are talented actors. Why hire someone who is popular in the music business right now.

RipHer2Shreds said:

"Secondly, she's never been labeled the "queen of ghetto hip hop soul".
And you know this because YOU'VE read EVERY single article about her and have heard EVERY word that's ever been mentioned about her on radio or TV right? Somebody was PMSing the day they wrote this, obviously.

Also...India was nervous during a SINGING performance, she didn't have ONE spoken line. So I have NO IDEA if she can act or not. I'm sure every performer gets a case of the nerves, but it's up to the director wether or not the public sees that. So I don't blame India for that performance.

Lastly, as someone else on here stated the major problem "I" have with MJB playing the role IS "the type of artist" she is. There's nothing at all about her that represents Nina's spirit. Let alone any physical resemblance. Another example someone else brought up was Angela Bassett as Tina Turner, does she look like her? Not really, but she was able to bring Tina's spirit to the screen. You're obviously a BELOVED fan of MJB; and I'm not trying to take anything away from her as a singer, but I really doubt she's up to the job of conveying the message and spirit of Nina Simone to the world. Now go about ripping someone else to shreds cause you lost this one.