The last time this project and its cast were discussed here was back in November of last year at the old site; when Tambay reported Faith Evans would portray singer Florence Ballard in her big screen biopic. At the time, Taraji P. Henson was also rumored to have been offered the role of Diana Ross. Well now, it looks like both Evans and Henson are out of the picture.

Blondie: The Florence Ballard Story will be directed by Todd Turner, according to the film’s imdb. It currently shows as “in production” with Jurnee Smollet and Solange Knowles credited as “rumored” to star in the roles of Florence Ballard and Diana Ross, respectively.

Blondie is the story of when “The Supremes were the most successful female vocal group in history. Only Florence Ballard, the spunky teenager who founded the group, has remained silent. Until now.”

The film will be produced by Spirit of Life Films and shot in Atlanta, GA. Florence Ballard’s daughter, Michele Ballard-Chapman, will serve as co-producer.

Jurnee Smollett will be playing Flo:



Adrien Brody will be playing Peter Benjaminson



Kandi Burruss will be playing Maxine, Flo's sister:

[Edited 8/4/11 7:51am]

Apparently there's been a lot of drama with this movie already

Faith Evans 'walked away' from Florence Ballard biopic; Jurnee Smollett, Adrien Brody rumored to be in film

Detroit native Nicci Gilbert had some interesting tweets last week about the upcoming Florence Ballard biopic that Faith Evans had signed onto.

Gilbert, a member of the 1990s R&B trio Brownstone and stage play actress and producer, was cast in the film but tweeted that she, Evans and directors Martha Coolidge and Bille Woodruff were no longer attached to the project. (Six degrees of separation alert: Gilbert produced a play, "Soul Kittens Cabaret," starring Evans, "American Idol" winner Fantasia and fellow Detroiter Tondy Gallant.)

"Faith Evans, Billie Woodruff, Martha Coolidge and I walked away from the Florence Ballard 'Blondie' film. None of us were fired...I debated posting about this Florence 'Blondie' Ballard Film mess because I didnt want to highlight ignorance but be warned. No disrepect to Florence Ballards legacy or her family, who were unaware the "producers" of the project are #FRAUDS," she wrote.

Now, according to IMDB, actress Jurnee Smollett ("Eve's Bayou," "The Great Debaters,") is rumored to be stepping into the role of the ousted Supreme with "Real Housewife of Atlanta"/Xscape singer Kandi Burruss (who visited Detroit recently) playing her older sister, Maxine. Adrien Brody -- no stranger to biopics about soul music -- is rumored to be playing Peter Benjaminson, the author behind the fil...e material.

I thought Faith was going to do it . I think she was the perfect choice for the role necause she has a very mature sound and look just like Florence did. She even resembles Flo somewhat. The thing with Florence also is that she was no delicate little flower so you need someone with a big presence and attitude to pull off playing Flo. Jurnee still looks like a kid to me, but she is a good actress so i'm sure she'll do a fine job.

She would not have been my first choice, but still i'm looking forward to this.

Cinnamon234 said:

I thought Faith was going to do it . I think she was the perfect choice for the role necause she has a very mature sound and look just like Florence did. She even resembles Flo somewhat. The thing with Florence also is that she was no delicate little flower so you need someone with a big presence and attitude to pull off playing Flo. Jurnee still looks like a kid to me, but she is a good actress so i'm sure she'll do a fine job.

She would not have been my first choice, but still i'm looking forward to this.

Yeah, I don't think they're really casting this right, either.

I think they should get Faith to do the role and get someone like Kerry Washington to play Diana Ross.

And...Adrien Brody... I've had a thing for him ever since I saw "Splice" for the first time the other day.

I agree, I think Faith would have been a better choice to play that role, but who knows, Jurnee may surprise us and pull it off.

Since the Primettes/Supremes were teens and early 20's during Flo's time in the group, and she died around 32 or 33, Faith and Nicci Gilbert are too old anyway. Jurnee seems too thin and not curvy enough for Flo, especially since Berry Gordy tended to comment on Flo being "fat" later on. Jurnee's figure is more like the young Diana.

armpit said:

Cinnamon234 said:

I thought Faith was going to do it . I think she was the perfect choice for the role necause she has a very mature sound and look just like Florence did. She even resembles Flo somewhat. The thing with Florence also is that she was no delicate little flower so you need someone with a big presence and attitude to pull off playing Flo. Jurnee still looks like a kid to me, but she is a good actress so i'm sure she'll do a fine job.

She would not have been my first choice, but still i'm looking forward to this.

Yeah, I don't think they're really casting this right, either.

I think they should get Faith to do the role and get someone like Kerry Washington to play Diana Ross.

And...Adrien Brody... I've had a thing for him ever since I saw "Splice" for the first time the other day.

Ha! I've had a thing for him since I saw him in "The Pianist"

MickyDolenz said:

Since the Primettes/Supremes were teens and early 20's during Flo's time in the group, and she died around 32 or 33, Faith and Nicci Gilbert are too old anyway. Jurnee seems too thin and not curvy enough for Flo, especially since Berry Gordy tended to comment on Flo being "fat" later on. Jurnee's figure is more like the young Diana.

She doesn't seem like she'd be able to pull off the level of feistiness either, despite being a really, really good actress.

But playing Diana? No way, there's absolutely no resemblance there, not even enough where you could suspend disbelief.

MickyDolenz said:

Since the Primettes/Supremes were teens and early 20's during Flo's time in the group, and she died around 32 or 33, Faith and Nicci Gilbert are too old anyway. Jurnee seems too thin and not curvy enough for Flo, especially since Berry Gordy tended to comment on Flo being "fat" later on. Jurnee's figure is more like the young Diana.

Maybe Jurnee will gain some weight for the role.

missfee said:

armpit said:

Yeah, I don't think they're really casting this right, either.

I think they should get Faith to do the role and get someone like Kerry Washington to play Diana Ross.

And...Adrien Brody... I've had a thing for him ever since I saw "Splice" for the first time the other day.

Ha! I've had a thing for him since I saw him in "The Pianist"

He's a very good actor. I agree about his role in "The Pianist". Excellent acting.

2elijah said:

missfee said:

Ha! I've had a thing for him since I saw him in "The Pianist"

He's a very good actor. I agree about his role in "The Pianist". Excellent acting.

Yes he definitely earned his Oscar.

Solange Knowles as Diana Ross

SCNDLS said:

Solange Knowles as Diana Ross

I actually think that's a perfect pick.

missfee said:

armpit said:

Yeah, I don't think they're really casting this right, either.

I think they should get Faith to do the role and get someone like Kerry Washington to play Diana Ross.

And...Adrien Brody... I've had a thing for him ever since I saw "Splice" for the first time the other day.

Ha! I've had a thing for him since I saw him in "The Pianist"

I swear he's like the hottest thing ever to me right now.

WaterInYourBath said:

SCNDLS said:

Solange Knowles as Diana Ross

I actually think that's a perfect pick.

Really? How come?

armpit said:

But playing Diana? No way, there's absolutely no resemblance there, not even enough where you could suspend disbelief.

Angela Bassett & Larry Fishburne has no resemblance to Ike & Tina Turner. Sidney Poiter has no resemblance to Thurgood Marshall either, but he played him in a movie. Nor did John Wayne to a Chinese man, but he played one (The Conquerer) Bodywise, she resembles Diana.

SCNDLS said:

WaterInYourBath said:

I actually think that's a perfect pick.

Really? How come?

I remember the promo photos of Solange taken for her last album, with her emulating Diana's trademark look (focusing on her large eyes, long lashes, and big hair). Like this one:

[img:$uid]http://cdn.rap-up.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/solange_hadley.jpg[/img:$uid]

I think there's a resemblance. Not exact, but enough to portray Miss Ross convincingly (especially if Solange loses about 15 or so lbs. to match Diana's former slim/underweight size).

SCNDLS said:

Apparently there's been a lot of drama with this movie already

Faith Evans 'walked away' from Florence Ballard biopic; Jurnee Smollett, Adrien Brody rumored to be in film

Detroit native Nicci Gilbert had some interesting tweets last week about the upcoming Florence Ballard biopic that Faith Evans had signed onto.

Gilbert, a member of the 1990s R&B trio Brownstone and stage play actress and producer, was cast in the film but tweeted that she, Evans and directors Martha Coolidge and Bille Woodruff were no longer attached to the project. (Six degrees of separation alert: Gilbert produced a play, "Soul Kittens Cabaret," starring Evans, "American Idol" winner Fantasia and fellow Detroiter Tondy Gallant.)

"Faith Evans, Billie Woodruff, Martha Coolidge and I walked away from the Florence Ballard 'Blondie' film. None of us were fired...I debated posting about this Florence 'Blondie' Ballard Film mess because I didnt want to highlight ignorance but be warned. No disrepect to Florence Ballards legacy or her family, who were unaware the "producers" of the project are #FRAUDS," she wrote.

Wow! I wish she would elaborate a lot more. Interesting.

WaterInYourBath said:

SCNDLS said:

Really? How come?

I remember the promo photos of Solange taken for her last album, with her emulating Diana's trademark look (focusing on her large eyes, long lashes, and big hair). Like this one:

[img:$uid]http://cdn.rap-up.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/solange_hadley.jpg[/img:$uid]

I think there's a resemblance. Not exact, but enough to portray Miss Ross convincingly (especially if Solange loses about 15 or so lbs. to match Diana's former slim/underweight size).

I see the resemblance but I was thinking moreso of the fact she's not an actress and she has that horrible cotton/mush mouth diction like Bey. She seems like a lil meek mouse to me and not capable of portraying The Boss in any era.

kitbradley said:

SCNDLS said:

Apparently there's been a lot of drama with this movie already

Faith Evans 'walked away' from Florence Ballard biopic; Jurnee Smollett, Adrien Brody rumored to be in film

Detroit native Nicci Gilbert had some interesting tweets last week about the upcoming Florence Ballard biopic that Faith Evans had signed onto.

Gilbert, a member of the 1990s R&B trio Brownstone and stage play actress and producer, was cast in the film but tweeted that she, Evans and directors Martha Coolidge and Bille Woodruff were no longer attached to the project. (Six degrees of separation alert: Gilbert produced a play, "Soul Kittens Cabaret," starring Evans, "American Idol" winner Fantasia and fellow Detroiter Tondy Gallant.)

"Faith Evans, Billie Woodruff, Martha Coolidge and I walked away from the Florence Ballard 'Blondie' film. None of us were fired...I debated posting about this Florence 'Blondie' Ballard Film mess because I didnt want to highlight ignorance but be warned. No disrepect to Florence Ballards legacy or her family, who were unaware the "producers" of the project are #FRAUDS," she wrote.

Wow! I wish she would elaborate a lot more. Interesting.

Al Abrams, the press agent at Motown during this time, is spilling all kindsa tea about Flo's backstory on this thread.

http://www.soulfuldetroit...ie&amp

I was so excited about this project when I heard Faith was involved! Now that Jurnee is portraying Flo, I wonder how this will go...

I like Solange, but I don't know if I see her as Diana Ross. We shall see.

Love me some Adrien Brody; he's yummy and a wonderful actor, so I support his presence in this film.

SCNDLS said:

kitbradley said:

Wow! I wish she would elaborate a lot more. Interesting.

Al Abrams, the press agent at Motown during this time, is spilling all kindsa tea about Flo's backstory on this thread.

http://www.soulfuldetroit...ie&amp

this is messy as hell!

Bree8016 said:

SCNDLS said:

Al Abrams, the press agent at Motown during this time, is spilling all kindsa tea about Flo's backstory on this thread.

http://www.soulfuldetroit...ie&amp

this is messy as hell!

Interesting.

SCNDLS said:

WaterInYourBath said:

I remember the promo photos of Solange taken for her last album, with her emulating Diana's trademark look (focusing on her large eyes, long lashes, and big hair). Like this one:

[img:$uid]http://cdn.rap-up.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/solange_hadley.jpg[/img:$uid]

I think there's a resemblance. Not exact, but enough to portray Miss Ross convincingly (especially if Solange loses about 15 or so lbs. to match Diana's former slim/underweight size).

I see the resemblance but I was thinking moreso of the fact she's not an actress and she has that horrible cotton/mush mouth diction like Bey. She seems like a lil meek mouse to me and not capable of portraying The Boss in any era.

Ahh. Yeah, she would need some serious acting lessons, lol.

WaterInYourBath said:

SCNDLS said:

I see the resemblance but I was thinking moreso of the fact she's not an actress and she has that horrible cotton/mush mouth diction like Bey. She seems like a lil meek mouse to me and not capable of portraying The Boss in any era.

Ahh. Yeah, she would need some serious acting lessons, lol.

You know Solange definately got the resemblence down. She's even Diana Ross inspired on the red carpet atimes. I dont know much about her acting skills...I only know she did that movie playing Bow Wow's sister..didn't watch that. Now apart from identical diction to sister... I'm gonna disagree with my girl.......meek mouse... at least in movies...I would give that title to Beyonce...I have not seen that girl be convincing in any role. This dream she has of winning an Oscar is laughable to me. Solange has a spunkiness to her and is much more authentic than her big sis IMO...music wise and personality wise so I'm willing to give her shot at this and think she would do good with intense lessons.

I too thought Faith would be great as Florence. Jurnee is a good actresss but I'm not sold on her...Does she even sing?

lavender1983 said:

WaterInYourBath said:

Ahh. Yeah, she would need some serious acting lessons, lol.

You know Solange definately got the resemblence down. She's even Diana Ross inspired on the red carpet atimes. I dont know much about her acting skills...I only know she did that movie playing Bow Wow's sister..didn't watch that. Now apart from identical diction to sister... I'm gonna disagree with my girl.......meek mouse... at least in movies...I would give that title to Beyonce...I have not seen that girl be convincing in any role. This dream she has of winning an Oscar is laughable to me. Solange has a spunkiness to her and is much more authentic than her big sis IMO...music wise and personality wise so I'm willing to give her shot at this and think she would do good with intense lessons.

I too thought Faith would be great as Florence. Jurnee is a good actresss but I'm not sold on her...Does she even sing?

Shit, Beyonce certainly ain't winning no acting prize nowhere notime. And I don't know squat about Solange other than what I've seen/heard in interviews. I dunno, I guess I always got the Rachel Marron's lil sister vibe from her. Like she's been waiting in the wings for her shot.

She'd really need to work on her diction to play Diana. And ummm, Bey ain't been too successful with that so I dunno.

[Edited 8/4/11 14:15pm]

MickyDolenz said:

armpit said:

But playing Diana? No way, there's absolutely no resemblance there, not even enough where you could suspend disbelief.

Angela Bassett & Larry Fishburne has no resemblance to Ike & Tina Turner. Sidney Poiter has no resemblance to Thurgood Marshall either, but he played him in a movie. Nor did John Wayne to a Chinese man, but he played one (The Conquerer) Bodywise, she resembles Diana.

Yeah, but Angela Bassett is arguably one of the best actresses of all time. She could play a MAN and be convincing and make you forget she doesn't have a weiner.

I don't know how good of an actress Solange is, but she would have to be unbelievably extraordinary to bridge that gap I think. Not saying she can't do it because I just don't know, and if they've already signed contracts and stuff, I hope she proves me wrong.

But Diana Ross : http://4.bp.blogspot.com/...-4-190.jpg

Kerry Washington : http://1.bp.blogspot.com/...ine-01.jpg

...Nuff said.

I know people are disappointed that Faith didn't do it but can Faith Evans even act? I know what Journee can do but I have never seen Faith act in a movie before.

This movie will never be made with the company they got. They were already on the wrong foot picking Faith in the first place and apparently she walked out because they were unprofessional (the film producers).

SCNDLS said:

lavender1983 said:

You know Solange definately got the resemblence down. She's even Diana Ross inspired on the red carpet atimes. I dont know much about her acting skills...I only know she did that movie playing Bow Wow's sister..didn't watch that. Now apart from identical diction to sister... I'm gonna disagree with my girl.......meek mouse... at least in movies...I would give that title to Beyonce...I have not seen that girl be convincing in any role. This dream she has of winning an Oscar is laughable to me. Solange has a spunkiness to her and is much more authentic than her big sis IMO...music wise and personality wise so I'm willing to give her shot at this and think she would do good with intense lessons.

I too thought Faith would be great as Florence. Jurnee is a good actresss but I'm not sold on her...Does she even sing?

Shit, Beyonce certainly ain't winning no acting prize nowhere notime. And I don't know squat about Solange other than what I've seen/heard in interviews. I dunno, I guess I always got the Rachel Marron's lil sister vibe from her. Like she's been waiting in the wings for her shot.

She'd really need to work on her diction to play Diana. And ummm, Bey ain't been too successful with that so I dunno.

[Edited 8/4/11 14:15pm]

This definately wasn't her finest moment in an interview for sure.....someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed that morning. Yea I get that she's irritated in being in her sister's shadow and sometimes she let's the public see that...but I feel she deserves more shine than she gets. I dig her stuff.

In other interviews I've seen of her where she isn't being a bitch...she comes across as a fun girl full of personality while Bey seems so rehearsed all the time..like she's afraid to show us the real her.

But umm yea the diction gotsa be worked on...I don't consider LisaRaye a serious actress but everytime I hear her speak...It's like freaking nails on a chalkboard, same with Beyonce.