Which one do you think has a real chance to catch on in the "mainstream" like Ray or Walk the Line? Not that that's the measure of "success," i just don't think they all deserve or NEED to be on the big screen. Made for cable or straight to dvd isn't always a bad thing. Halle Berry got a Golden Globe for her long delayed portrayal of Dorothy Dandridge (so did Ving Rhames as Don King in Only in America). These are the ones i'm thinking of

Mary J as Nina Simone (Mary's acting chops are unproven, not confident she can pull this off)

Jennifer Hudson as Aretha (Aretha thinks her film needs to be Oscar worthy, not sure if she's that interesting)

Fantasia as Mahalia Jackson (potentially a sleeper, i don't know much about Mahalia and Fantasia goes HARD)

Don Cheadle as Miles Davis (the best actor in the best cast film potentially)

Jesse Martin as Marvin Gaye (see directly above; close 2nd)

Hendrix (was it Andre 3000? I forget)

somebody as Aaliyah

I propose a moratorium on biopics. One every 5 years on the big screen, all others as cable movies or dvds

Marvin's and Aretha's have potential to be. Don't know about anyone else.

The one I'm interested in is not about a music act, but there was a rumor that Halle Berry might play Angela Davis.

Definitely Marvin's and Aretha's. I also heard Tupac and NWA are in the process of having biopics made also.

MickyDolenz said:

The one I'm interested in is not about a music act, but there was a rumor that Halle Berry might play Angela Davis.

This is not ok. Please let it only be a rumor.

silverchild said:

Definitely Marvin's and Aretha's. I also heard Tupac and NWA are in the process of having biopics made also.

At any point I'll be happy when one of the Marvin films gets released, I don't care if it's focused on one era of his life, I just want it out got damn it.

MickyDolenz said:

The one I'm interested in is not about a music act, but there was a rumor that Halle Berry might play Angela Davis.

That's as bad as Beyonce playing her.

Timmy84 said:

MickyDolenz said:

The one I'm interested in is not about a music act, but there was a rumor that Halle Berry might play Angela Davis.

That's as bad as Beyonce playing her.

uh, me thinks its worser-er. as much as Beyon--skank needs to go away i could actually see her as Angela (not that i WANT to see her....) more so than Halle. whatever happened to doing a friggin' casting call and discovering new talent. (like Spike did with Mekhi Phifer in Clockers and the young man who debuted in Finding Forrester, these are just a few that come to mind...). i forgot about the Pac and NWA movies. Didn't Anthony Mackie already play Pac in something?

Timmy84 said:

silverchild said:

Definitely Marvin's and Aretha's. I also heard Tupac and NWA are in the process of having biopics made also.

At any point I'll be happy when one of the Marvin films gets released, I don't care if it's focused on one era of his life, I just want it out got damn it.

For some reason, I think the the film focusing on the Midnight Love album will be very interesting and different. A career-spanning biopic would lose alot of good info and run out of momentum quickly.

datdude said:

Timmy84 said:

That's as bad as Beyonce playing her.

uh, me thinks its worser-er. as much as Beyon--skank needs to go away i could actually see her as Angela (not that i WANT to see her....) more so than Halle. whatever happened to doing a friggin' casting call and discovering new talent. (like Spike did with Mekhi Phifer in Clockers and the young man who debuted in Finding Forrester, these are just a few that come to mind...). i forgot about the Pac and NWA movies. Didn't Anthony Mackie already play Pac in something?

He did a horrible job with Pac in Notorious. Everybody did a bad to mediocre job in that movie. Hate that film.

Timmy84 said:

MickyDolenz said:

The one I'm interested in is not about a music act, but there was a rumor that Halle Berry might play Angela Davis.

That's as bad as Beyonce playing her.

Well, they had Angelina Jolie playing a black woman in a movie. Halle is probably too old at this point, that was a few years ago the rumor was out.

MickyDolenz said:

Timmy84 said:

That's as bad as Beyonce playing her.

Well, they had Angelina Jolie playing a black woman in a movie. Halle is probably too old at this point, that was a few years ago the rumor was out.

are you SURE Daniel Pearl's wife was a black woman? that's news to me if so, i don't recall seeing a real picture of her

datdude said:

are you SURE Daniel Pearl's wife was a black woman? that's news to me if so, i don't recall seeing a real picture of her

This is the real Marianne Pearl standing next to Angelina. She's mixed (Afro-Cuban mother), but I'm sure they could have used a black/white mulatto like Thandie Newton or someone of Afro-Cuban origin like Gina Torres.

The Marvin Gaye biopic will be a blockbuster,if they do it right.People have waited so long for this.

i've heard for yrs about 2 supposed michael from inxs biopics. it's been liked to eric bana,james franco and i thought penn badgely would be kool.....

i love val kilmer as morrision in the doors. great movie and he was spectacular!

THIS is the worst film biography i have ever seen in my entire life...

SoulAlive said:

The Marvin Gaye biopic will be a blockbuster,if they do it right.People have waited so long for this.

i hope you are right, but i don't think so. what people? his die hard r & b fans? too much of a niche audience in the eyes of hollywood, i won't say its LESS risky than Ray but i think its stalled so long because of more than money.

vizionheiry said:

MickyDolenz said:

The one I'm interested in is not about a music act, but there was a rumor that Halle Berry might play Angela Davis.

This is not ok. Please let it only be a rumor.

I can't say:I'm not into biopics, they're snow-jobs. They all could go start to cable or DVD, as far as I'm concerned.

datdude said:

SoulAlive said:

The Marvin Gaye biopic will be a blockbuster,if they do it right.People have waited so long for this.

i hope you are right, but i don't think so. what people? his die hard r & b fans? too much of a niche audience in the eyes of hollywood, i won't say its LESS risky than Ray but i think its stalled so long because of more than money.

Marvin's bio has been in the making since Marvin died.

I don't put no hopes into it being made despite the optimistic headlines of being given a greenlight.

I just say "release a three or four-hour documentary on Marvin" and that'll be the film.

Timmy84 said:

datdude said:

i hope you are right, but i don't think so. what people? his die hard r & b fans? too much of a niche audience in the eyes of hollywood, i won't say its LESS risky than Ray but i think its stalled so long because of more than money.

Marvin's bio has been in the making since Marvin died.

I don't put no hopes into it being made despite the optimistic headlines of being given a greenlight.

I just say "release a three or four-hour documentary on Marvin" and that'll be the film.

there was that one documentary, but it was only and hour, hour and a half or so. i can't remember the name of it. 'what's going on' maybe? i'm sure you've seen it though. i also like the michael eric dyson book on marvin. that was actually quite good.

MJJstudent said:

Timmy84 said:

Marvin's bio has been in the making since Marvin died.

I don't put no hopes into it being made despite the optimistic headlines of being given a greenlight.

I just say "release a three or four-hour documentary on Marvin" and that'll be the film.

there was that one documentary, but it was only and hour, hour and a half or so. i can't remember the name of it. 'what's going on' maybe? i'm sure you've seen it though. i also like the michael eric dyson book on marvin. that was actually quite good.

American Masters: What's Going On - The Life of Marvin Gaye

He can have a documentary like the Funk Brothers' one but instead of performances by others, they can bring back archival performances of Marvin that have been otherwise never seen, they can bring back rare interviews, rare home footage, reenact some scenes with some accuracy. Talk with the ones who really KNEW Marvin the best (the ones who are still alive). Then do its best to bring all the sides of Marvin's personality: his charm, his anger, his destruction, his spiritual enthusiasm, his musicianship. All of that.

The fact that folks are even trying to push a biopic that won't really be representative of Marvin (no matter how hard they try) is sad and sadder fact is it won't ever be made. A documentary is a better alternative.

I'm not feeling any of these rumored biopics that were mentioned earlier. Even Miles and Marvin, and I'm a huge fan of both of these cats, but a biopic about them won't be all that.

The real Miles Davis was an interesting dude when he was interviewed but that's really it, there's nothing really interesting to reveal about Miles unlike Marvin because Miles was a real dude and he didn't hide his feelings or opinions.

Marvin would make a great film if they tell it correctly. One potential problem they'll have with Marvin was that he was an enigma. Nobody really knew who he was, that the reason why there hasn't been a movie yet because there are different sides of Marvin that people knew and you have to capture all of his personalities or they just might do a overblown Hollywood dramatic biopic based on unreliable sources. For example, David Ritz, I heard Marvin told David Ritz a bunch of bullshit just to get him off his back, and Ritz put it in that book Divided Soul like it was the gospel truth.

Now one story I'm anxious to see come to the screen is Richard Pryor, that would be the shit because people wouldn't believe the shit this dude not only went through, but what this dude did in his life. It would be too extreme, some people couldn't handle it.

Another story they should consider doing is a story about the Debarge family like a miniseries. That's a story you can't tell on regular TV, that's more like an HBO miniseries.

Documentaries have a limited audience though, and studios are in the business of making money. The multiplex rarely has them, and few people go to the "art film" theater (which are only in a large city at best) where it is more likely to be shown. A documentary can be shown on something like the PBS show Independent Lens though.

MickyDolenz said:

Documentaries have a limited audience though, and studios are in the business of making money. The multiplex rarely has them, and few people go to the "art film" theater (which are only in a large city at best) where it is more likely to be shown. A documentary can be shown on something like the PBS show Independent Lens though.

Well then I must be a limited audience person because at this point to hell with a biopic.

thatruth said:

I'm not feeling any of these rumored biopics that were mentioned earlier. Even Miles and Marvin, and I'm a huge fan of both of these cats, but a biopic about them won't be all that.

The real Miles Davis was an interesting dude when he was interviewed but that's really it, there's nothing really interesting to reveal about Miles unlike Marvin because Miles was a real dude and he didn't hide his feelings or opinions.

Marvin would make a great film if they tell it correctly. One potential problem they'll have with Marvin was that he was an enigma. Nobody really knew who he was, that the reason why there hasn't been a movie yet because there are different sides of Marvin that people knew and you have to capture all of his personalities or they just might do a overblown Hollywood dramatic biopic based on unreliable sources. For example, David Ritz, I heard Marvin told David Ritz a bunch of bullshit just to get him off his back, and Ritz put it in that book Divided Soul like it was the gospel truth.

Now one story I'm anxious to see come to the screen is Richard Pryor, that would be the shit because people wouldn't believe the shit this dude not only went through, but what this dude did in his life. It would be too extreme, some people couldn't handle it.

Another story they should consider doing is a story about the Debarge family like a miniseries. That's a story you can't tell on regular TV, that's more like an HBO miniseries.

Word. He also lied about his input on "Sexual Healing", talking about Marvin told him to write a poem. David Ritz can't write no damn song, that was all Marvin and Odell Brown.

Timmy84 said:

MJJstudent said:

there was that one documentary, but it was only and hour, hour and a half or so. i can't remember the name of it. 'what's going on' maybe? i'm sure you've seen it though. i also like the michael eric dyson book on marvin. that was actually quite good.

American Masters: What's Going On - The Life of Marvin Gaye

He can have a documentary like the Funk Brothers' one but instead of performances by others, they can bring back archival performances of Marvin that have been otherwise never seen, they can bring back rare interviews, rare home footage, reenact some scenes with some accuracy. Talk with the ones who really KNEW Marvin the best (the ones who are still alive). Then do its best to bring all the sides of Marvin's personality: his charm, his anger, his destruction, his spiritual enthusiasm, his musicianship. All of that.

The fact that folks are even trying to push a biopic that won't really be representative of Marvin (no matter how hard they try) is sad and sadder fact is it won't ever be made. A documentary is a better alternative.

I agree with you wholeheartedly Timmy. You and other music fanatics would appreciate these films but Micky makes a good point, doc's aren't money makers by and large.

TD3 said:

Timmy84 said:

American Masters: What's Going On - The Life of Marvin Gaye

He can have a documentary like the Funk Brothers' one but instead of performances by others, they can bring back archival performances of Marvin that have been otherwise never seen, they can bring back rare interviews, rare home footage, reenact some scenes with some accuracy. Talk with the ones who really KNEW Marvin the best (the ones who are still alive). Then do its best to bring all the sides of Marvin's personality: his charm, his anger, his destruction, his spiritual enthusiasm, his musicianship. All of that.

The fact that folks are even trying to push a biopic that won't really be representative of Marvin (no matter how hard they try) is sad and sadder fact is it won't ever be made. A documentary is a better alternative.

I agree with you wholeheartedly Timmy. You and other music fanatics would appreciate these films but Micky makes a good point, doc's aren't money makers by and large.

Yeah I'm aware they don't...which is kinda unfortunate.

I agree with thatruth..A Richard Pryor bio-flick would be great to see. And Marlon Wayans has enough dynamics where he could pull it off. They said that his 12 minute audition was videotaped and he blew everyone away. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

And as a Jimi fan, I NEVER want to see a big screen flick on him. Hollywood has been talking about this since 1978. It will never happen. Janie (who runs the estate) is making sure that any Jimi flicks being made will not get the music. Jimi's vibe was so huge and out there that it can't

be captured for a big screen Hollywood flick.

...and don't get me started on that Showtime 2000 "Hendrix" flick.

Anyone remember the talk about that Supremes TV biopic, which was in development back in 2009?

Oh, and remember Teddy Pendergrass was being considered to play Otis Redding in his respective biopic, but it stalled when he got into the fatal car accident in 1982? I wonder if they can get it off the ground now?

There was also alot of talk about a Soul Train movie made a couple of years back! Wonder how that is doing.

[Edited 2/14/11 15:18pm]

Timmy84 said:

thatruth said:

I'm not feeling any of these rumored biopics that were mentioned earlier. Even Miles and Marvin, and I'm a huge fan of both of these cats, but a biopic about them won't be all that.

The real Miles Davis was an interesting dude when he was interviewed but that's really it, there's nothing really interesting to reveal about Miles unlike Marvin because Miles was a real dude and he didn't hide his feelings or opinions.

Marvin would make a great film if they tell it correctly. One potential problem they'll have with Marvin was that he was an enigma. Nobody really knew who he was, that the reason why there hasn't been a movie yet because there are different sides of Marvin that people knew and you have to capture all of his personalities or they just might do a overblown Hollywood dramatic biopic based on unreliable sources. For example, David Ritz, I heard Marvin told David Ritz a bunch of bullshit just to get him off his back, and Ritz put it in that book Divided Soul like it was the gospel truth.

Now one story I'm anxious to see come to the screen is Richard Pryor, that would be the shit because people wouldn't believe the shit this dude not only went through, but what this dude did in his life. It would be too extreme, some people couldn't handle it.

Another story they should consider doing is a story about the Debarge family like a miniseries. That's a story you can't tell on regular TV, that's more like an HBO miniseries.

Word. He also lied about his input on "Sexual Healing", talking about Marvin told him to write a poem. David Ritz can't write no damn song, that was all Marvin and Odell Brown.

Exactly, that book is half-fact, half-fiction. A lot of those stories in the book took on a life of its own. His little brother Frankie busted a few of those myths also:

1. The story about his father wearing lingerie is false.

2. The story of Marvin masturbating before a concert to relieve tension is false.

3. As you mention, the Sexual Healing story is false.

4. The Tammi Terrell recordings really being Valerie Simpson is false

5. Marvin III was adopted story is false, that's Marvin's biological son.

And there are other false stories told, but the book is very entertaining.