http://www.hollywoodrepor...86c2db0806

BERLIN -- Move over, Pink Panther. Here come the Black Panthers.

Two English-language European film projects aim to bring leading figures from the U.S. Black Power movement to the big screen soon.

Franco-Algerian producer-writer-director Rachid Bouchareb, whose film "London River" screens here in competition, is setting up a movie on the early life of Angela Davis, a leading figure of the civil rights movement and one-time FBI renegade.

Meanwhile, Berlin-based Egoli Tossell films, whose latest picture, "Hilde," screens here as a Berlinale Special Gala, is in preproduction on a feature film based on Black Panther co-founder Bobby Seale.

Davis, who once studied here at Berlin's Humboldt University, became a cause celebre in the late 1960s when she was sacked from her post as philosophy professor at UCLA for being a communist. She later found herself on the FBI's "10 most wanted" list after guns used in a fatal courtroom breakout were traced to her. She was charged with kidnapping and first-degree homicide and went on the run before being arrested. She was eventually acquitted by an all-white jury after one of the most high-profile trials in postwar America.

Bouchareb, who will produce the movie through his French production company, plans to shoot in summer 2010 with a budget in the region of $20 million-$30 million, and is lining up a major French backer. The script is by novelist Yasmina Khadra, whose book "The Attack" has been optioned by Focus Features. No cast is yet attached but Bouchareb has his lead actress firmly in mind: "I want Beyonce Knowles to play Angela Davis," he said. "It's a great dramatic role for her."

Before the Davis film, Bouchareb will shoot "The Outlaws" this summer, the follow-on to his hit World War II drama "Days of Glory."

Egoli Tossell's film is titled "A Lonely Rage" and is based on Seale's autobiography tracing his life from his beginnings as a Texas farm boy to the head of one of the most radical protest groups of the 1960s. Alongside Panther co-founder Huey Newton, Seale adopted the radical stance of "freedom by any means," and faced trial on charges of inciting riots and involvement in the murder of a Panther suspected of informing. The charges were eventually dropped. He is now better known for his best-selling barbecue cookbooks.

Paul Herzberg is writing the script for "A Lonely Rage," with Seale acting as a consultant. Egoli Tossell head Jens Meurer is producing. The project is set for principle photography by the end of this year, though no cast or director are as yet signed.

You should've said "Beezlebub" instead of "Beyonce", you know how many threads be on the same person, lol.

Timmy84 said:

Beyonce
Michael
the Debarge clan
Madonna

am I missing anybody?

bboy87 said:

I believe that's it.

Is that based on her wearing an afro in the Austin Powers movie???

Oh well. Guess she'll need to crack open another book. That makes two.

JackieBlue said:

Oh, Lawd. Who's gonna splain the big words????

SCNDLS said:

Solange?

But seriously, I wouldn't want Beyonce to take this role because I just fear she may just rile up Angela, lol.
[Edited 2/6/09 16:29pm]

I already don't take this filmmaker seriously if he wants Beyonce. It he basing it on looks? Are people afraid to take a chance on someone new? With a good supporting cast it could still be a draw. Please give other young black actresses an opportunity to act.

I swear Cate Blanchett better watch her back.

SCNDLS said:

She's probably skating by as it is.

I also wonder if there's other unknown black actresses that could be considered. Give Bee a break on this one, dammit.

SCNDLS said:

That's got to be the only connection.

Angela's was pretty tight for a chic.




[Edited 2/6/09 16:47pm]

Timmy84 said:

Beyonce don't want none.

StarMon said:

She has THE best MOST iconic Afro, EVAH! Case closed.

Angela is cool.

SCNDLS said:

Yes.
In joking, I've told females with their doo loose, that their hair looked like Angela's fro. "Damn! girl, do something to yo head...looking like Angela Davis".

OY!!!

CalhounSq said:

Beyonce will send one of her clones to complete this project while she tours

JackieBlue said:

Now, you know how this works with black folks in movies, one black actor/star at a time.

TD3 said:

Timmy84 said:

that's all I'm sayin Timmy

sure Beyonce has the look
and all... but there's a PLETHRA
of well seasoned young afro-american
ACTRESSES to pick from

she's the IT girl right now
and I guess there's nothing we can do

Now hold on just one damn afro picking minute!!!

Yeah, she's light skinned and she looked cute in an afro wig but that's where it ends for her! There are plenty of very talented actresses out there that can give the role of my Shero Angela Davis the honor that it so deserves!

Jay Z handle your damn business, do the world a favor and knock that bitch up already so she can sit her ass down somewhere!!

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

OMG I just screamed

NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!


I always pictured Nia Long in this role but if they need some pop diva then goddamn it, you can't ignore Erykah Badu, my girl is a great actress you know...

i must be missing something, when did beyonce become a good acress? why the hell is she always considered for these biopic roles. cadillac records was a big flop so its not like her name will fill the seats, these people forget that beyonce's core audience are kids.

Oh lawd no.

2elijah said:

I second that motion.

im with y'all the sister has no place in this film.. none

Yeah,this is ridiculous! Why do they keep mentioning Beyonce for all of these roles??!! She's not even a real actress.Wasn't there also some talk about her playing Eartha Kitt? This is insane.

I guess they think that,because she's so popular,her presence will help sell tickets? But 'Cadillac Records' bombed big time!