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American Idol winner Jordin Sparks and Mike Epps are set to join the remake of the 1976 film loosely based on the story of the Supremes.

Whitney Houston, making her first return to movies since 1996’s The Preacher’s Wife, is in negotiations to star in Sparkle, Sony Pictures remake of the 1976 music-themed drama. American Idol winner Jordin Sparks and actor Mike Epps also are set to star.

Mara Brock Akil, who created and executive produces BET's hit comedy The Game, wrote the script while husband Salim Akil, who has helmed every episode of Game and many episodes of the UPN hit Girlfriends, is directing. Derba Martin Chase is producing.

The original Sparkle was inspired by the story of the Supremes, and centered on the three Williams sisters, who begin singing in their church choir in Harlem in the late 1950s and become a successful girl group. Their sudden rise unravels their personal lives.

Sparks will play the title character, the talented member of the group while Houston will play her not-so encouraging mother. Epps will be Satin, a stand-up comedian who marries one of the sisters and gets her hooked on drugs.

Irene Cara played Sparkle in the original while Mary Alice, who played the Oracle in the Matrix movies, portrayed Effie. Tony King acted as Satin.

R&B icon Houston famously made her acting debut with 1992’s The Bodyguard, and also appeared in Waiting to Exhale and Preacher’s Wife. The last time she acted for the screen was in 1997’s TV movie Cinderella, with Brandy Norwood.

Houston was involved with the project as a producer when it was originally set up at Warners years ago (in an incarnation that was to star singer Aaliyah, who died in a plane crash) and will act as an exec producer on the new movie.

The movie will be the acting debut of Sparks, who won the sixth season of American Idol and had top singles such as “No Air.”

For Epps, Sparkle reunites him with the Akils, for whom he starred in the surprise hit Jumping the Broom. The actor, better known for his comedic turns, is clearly in drama mode and just wrapped the psychological thriller Vipaka with Forest Whitaker.

I think acting again is a wise choice for Whitney. She was pretty good at it. I wonder what is happening with her Waiting to Exhale sequel " Getting to Happy"..

Never seen the original. Is Sparkle supposed to be the Flo or Diana character?

Hudson said:

Never seen the original. Is Sparkle supposed to be the Flo or Diana character?

Neither, I don't know what Sparkle has to do with The Supremes, other than being about a girl group.

Hudson said:

Never seen the original. Is Sparkle supposed to be the Flo or Diana character?

Neither. It's not a Supremes-like story, unlike Dreamgirls. It's just about a girl group and their ups and downs. It's the film that gave us this classic track...

Oh, that's good. Cause we also have that Florence Ballard biopic coming out too.

alphastreet said:

Cinderella was out in 98, Aaliyah died in 2001. Very poor research.

I think they are talking about Aaliyah starring in Sparkle, not Cinderella. As with many movies that are announced to be made, nothing became of it.

Hudson said:

Oh, that's good. Cause we also have that Florence Ballard biopic coming out too.

Sparkle 2012 will come out before Florence.

Timmy84 said:

Hudson said:

Oh, that's good. Cause we also have that Florence Ballard biopic coming out too.

Sparkle 2012 will come out before Florence.

Shitney remaking something. That's nothing new for her.

^Tell it like it TIS.

Whatever happened to the Waiting to Exhale sequel? I'd much rather see that. And I saw sparkle when I was younger, wasn't it like super dark and depressing?

Terrib3Towel said:

Whatever happened to the Waiting to Exhale sequel? I'd much rather see that. And I saw sparkle when I was younger, wasn't it like super dark and depressing?

Well, she should fit in perfectly then.

Terrib3Towel said:

I saw sparkle when I was younger, wasn't it like super dark and depressing?

It really is I don't see the point in remaking it.

Terrib3Towel said:

Whatever happened to the Waiting to Exhale sequel? I'd much rather see that.

Neither of these projects sound promising to me.It's as if Hollywood has truly run out of ideas.

Hudson said:

Never seen the original. Is Sparkle supposed to be the Flo or Diana character?

Id suggest watching the original.

paisleypark4 said:

Hudson said:

Never seen the original. Is Sparkle supposed to be the Flo or Diana character?

Id suggest watching the original.

Not if it's depressing. No Way!

Hudson said:

paisleypark4 said:

Id suggest watching the original.

Not if it's depressing. No Way!

What makes you think the remake is gonna be totally the opposite of the ORIGINAL?! Dude...

Timmy84 said:

Hudson said:

Not if it's depressing. No Way!

What makes you think the remake is gonna be totally the opposite of the ORIGINAL?! Dude...

Why are they falsely trying to misrepresent the Supremes with every girl group flick??? Cant stand hollywood.

mjscarousal said:

Why are they falsely trying to misrepresent the Supremes with every girl group flick??? Cant stand hollywood.

Because the Supremes' popularity was so that every time someone did a girl group based film, that was usually the group to go to in terms of inspiration. Why you think Mary Wilson kept hogging that the Dreamgirls musical/film was so much like the Supremes?

I hear the remake is going to be called "Crackle".

sosgemini said:

I hear the remake is going to be called "Crackle".

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Report: Whitney Houston Ready To ‘Sparkle’ With Jordin Sparks

It appears that things are finally shaping up for the Whitney Houston-produced remake of famed 70s musical ‘Sparkle’. Originally reported to star late R&B songbird Aaliyah (and later with names like Raven Symone and Paula Patton at one time considered), it appears that the film will soon be making its way into the production stages with Jordin Sparks signing on to take the lead role. Houston will play her mother.

BET’s ‘The Game’ creator Mara Brock Akil has signed on to lead the behind the scenes action. No word on who will contribute to the movie’s soundtrack.

The announcement comes shortly after news that Houston would be reprising her role in the Waiting To Exhale sequel, ‘Getting To Happy’, being shot later this year.

Hollywood is so lazy.I'm surprised that they're not planning a remake to 'The Wiz'.Oops,I guess I should keep my mouth shut....don't wanna give them any ideas!

mjscarousal said:

Why are they falsely trying to misrepresent the Supremes with every girl group flick??? Cant stand hollywood.

Why dont they just actually make a film about the Supremes?

paisleypark4 said:

mjscarousal said:

Why are they falsely trying to misrepresent the Supremes with every girl group flick??? Cant stand hollywood.

Why dont they just actually make a film about the Supremes?

I agree! Instead of all these "loosely based on the Supremes" movies Give us the real thing!

paisleypark4 said:

mjscarousal said:

Why are they falsely trying to misrepresent the Supremes with every girl group flick??? Cant stand hollywood.

Why dont they just actually make a film about the Supremes?

Gotta get through Berry Gordy first.

SoulAlive said:

Hollywood is so lazy.I'm surprised that they're not planning a remake to 'The Wiz'.

There was a story a few years ago that there was going to be a remake starring Justin Timberlake & Queen Latifah and some others I can't think of right now.