yo goat, i think u might be right about eddie, but not about it being a "big grosser". Ray didn't do all that well at the box office (about 60 mil; when it left theaters) even though people were saying for MONTHS that Jamie was a shoo-in for the Oscar. Ray didn't get the "crossover audience" (i.e. white folks; as i'm sure u know), just like Dreamgirls (with the same Oscar buzz) likely won't. These are perceived as "black movies". Sad but true. Interestingly enuff tho, the success of Ray paved the way for Walk the Line (Johnny Cash) which not a lot of "us" (African Americans) went to see. all three men, iconic figures in American music but due to this "construct of race" people just don't turn out for the movies across racial lines. And Spike being perceived as "that little angry, incendiary black director" doesn't due much to appease mainstream America for James' movie. I say go with an unknown in the lead role but the studios likely won't let him.

datdude said:

Yeah, but he got some "mainstream" acclaim coz of that "Inside Man" flick, fact is, that might've been as big as "Do The Right Thing" as far as box office rates are concern.

I'm not worried about it being appealed to the mainstream at all, "Malcolm X" sure as hell didn't.

When I heard that Spike will handle this project, I KNEW he wouldn't sugercoat a damn thing for the sake of the mainstream's approval,,,he's that much of a rebel.

The only thing I'm worried about is the timing,,,,the project's filming is in due Jan 2008, which means they got a HELLUVA lot catching up to do.

i'd be highly upset if Usher got the role. Eddie Murphy or Hammer are like the closest that i can see, but Hammer can't act, and if Eddie got it, would he use his own singing voice, or lip synch?

StarMon said:

I refuse to consider Hammer as an actual choice

missfee said:

Usher is too busy wanting to play Marvin Gaye when we all know he can't act for shit in this world...

missfee said:

The only problem with Eddie, is I can't imagine it being serious. Not that he can't be serious, but it's a fine line imitating James Brown and not doing a comedy act.

James deserves a serious portrayal, I'd hate to see something that was a joke.

banks said:

I knew they would try to pull Usher, but I still think Omarion would be a much better, young James Brown. Usher could play the JB in his 30s, but I don't think I could stomach much of JB.

Stax said:

That is one handsome guy. I loved his acting in the Tsunami movie, however, I don't know if he could dance or sing like JB.

NDRU said:

I could see Eddie Murphy playing the older 40 yr old JB.

Stax said:

other than the hair & tux he looks a bit like 50 Cent there

NDRU said:

not 50!!!!! he can't act no better than Usher!!!