Beyonce is colonizing Hollywood like Christopher Columbus in 1492! Last week, ABC reported Beyonce Knowles officially landed the role of Eartha Kitt in her upcoming biopic. How is a woman who has yet to carry a film landing all these roles? Even when Halle Berry was the media darling post her Oscar win in 2002, she proved she could open and lead a film (Die Another Day, Gothika). She has never proven herself to bring in box office dollars yet she is snatching introspective and thought provoking characters that any black actress would love to tackle.

Etta James and now Eartha Kitt are roles that could make a career for an up and coming actress. Also, isn’t it a rule that once an actor plays a real life character in a movie they should be avoiding additional biopics? That would be like Jamie Foxx playing Sammy Davis, Jr. Beyonce has already portrayed Diana Ross (I don't care what ya say, Deena Jones is Diana), Etta James, and now Eartha Kitt. What's next -- Harriet Tubman?

Yes, Beyonce is a great performer, but an actress she is not. Eartha Kitt was a child conceived by rape, born on a cotton plantation in South Carolina, and rose to fame the old fashion way, hard work—while suffering awful sexism and racism. Her career was practically ruined for being an outspoken advocate of the Vietnam War and she allegedly made the First Lady at a White House luncheon in 1968 burst into tears. Nothing about Eartha's life story will Beyonce be able to pull off. Bey doesn't even know how to drop her George W. Bush Texan accent—how is she going to manage Eartha's South Carolina/pseudo-European accent?

Most importantly, there are so many black actresses who could play Eartha Kitt. The depth and history of Eartha could be an Oscar winning role, but in a Beyonce’s performance all you will get is a NAACP nomination. The reality is, no matter how hard this woman tries to be Meryl Streep, and I believe she is trying, I believe she takes acting class with some of the best teachers in the business—mama just doesn’t have "it."

Robin Givens would be a great choice as Eartha Kitt, Nicole Ari Parker of Soulfood, or how about Nia Long? Poor Nia, her last three movies have been comedies—unless you count that minimal role in Premonition. Long actually started off as a dramatic actress, it's a shame that black actors are consistently regulated to comedies.

Even Regina King could capture Kitt. There is Tisha Campbell, who probably resembles Eartha more than anyone.

So what is next?

Ashanti as Mahalia Jackson?

Chris Brown as Paul Robeson? (You know, maybe I shouldn't say that because that might actually happen!)

Rick Ross as Hattie McDaniel?!

This is just deeply disappointing -- can you imagine Beyonce purring around and acting like Catwoman (a character Eartha Kitt made famous) in Eartha's throaty voice? Lawd, as if the bar couldn't get any lower with Halle Berry in Catwoman! Like I've said before, if Beyonce wants to do a biopic—it should be Connie Francis!

http://claycane.blogspot....iopic.html

This rumor is quite old. I believe it's only starting to grow legs again due to the upcoming biopic of Cadillac Records.

@ the Rick Ross comment.

banks said:

But I agree, she's doing way too much. This is exactly the reason people are sick of her

banks said:

you forgot, Busta Rhymes as Martin Luther King, Jr.

or Rhianna as Patti Labelle

or Ne-Yo as Frederick Douglass



Bey is sickening. I mean c'mon on, seriously....whose dick did she suck to get this "lead" role as Eartha Kitt?

Beyonce doesn't have the sexuality to play Eartha Kitt

GO BEYONCE!

banks said:

now that's COLD

Why don't they just let her play Diana Ross in a biopic too? Or how about they let her play Donna Summer? Hell,they could let her play Lena Horne too.Or Nancy Wilson.Or Angela Davis.I mean,since Beyonce is so amazingly talented and gifted,they should just forget about other actresses and let Queen Beyonce get all the roles

^nah solange called diana ross 1st

come to think of it, solange does actually resemble diane

^Yes, Solange would be perfect in a Diana biopic.

As for Beyonce, Eartha is too sultry and earthy to be played by someone like Beyonce, but we'll see what happens.

I'm not a fan of Tisha Campbell-Martin, but I think she'd do a mean Eartha Kitt.

That is way disappointing...sorry B

But cum on Etta James and now my fav sistah Eartha....share the luv with otha actresses...I think Thandie would be good at it...or umm shit I can't think of her name

No way should Robin Givens be given the role. It should go to some young dedicated actress.
[Edited 10/18/08 19:34pm]

I will avoid this film, but that sucks cause I am one o the biggest Eartha fans out there; it is so not fair...to all the other potential earthas....and I agree once you play an iconic role in a biopic...ppl tend to combine the actress' persona with the role that they are playing-->this is monopolizing the industry BOO!


Besides Eartha way too smooth for Beyonce, I don't think she could come close to her essence....Sorry

Flowers2 said:

That says it all.

shesoffthewall said:

is this all beyonce will do film wise? musicals and biopics?
[Edited 10/18/08 20:39pm]

How can she play Eartha? Beyonce has the personality of a wet dish cloth

ehuffnsd said:

Or the attitude.

It takes ALOT of fire and spunk to be 1/2 way Eartha,,,,and thats what bland ass Beyonce could never pull in this lifetime.

This is NOT the way to go if you wanna be an actress.

Timmy84 said:

they don't know that yet unfortunately

She's gonna play Stevie Wonder next year. "If Weaveonce can't do it, no one can",

I can see Beyonce becoming blacklisted next decade for some reason. Mark my words.

bboy87 said:

I'm just trying to picture her attempting that signature Eartha Kitt tigress growl

banks said:

Well, Angela Bassett has played Katherine Jackson and Tina Turner and pulled off both roles very well, but Angela Bassett is actually a real actress and a very good one at that. I still think she's better than Halle...always will. I'd love to see Jada Pinkett-Smith do Eartha...that would be very fun. I me some Jada!

beyonce suck im soo sick of all the hype behind this bad breathe witch let her go on somewhere cuz she aint all that

I wonder how Vanessa Williams or Lisa Bonet would do as Eartha

kaptainkrunk said:

got that right.

but i hope she gets this part. that way people will be sick and tired of her face, even her fans will get tired.

Rakel said:

I'm trying to figure out who could play Eartha Kitt.