http://blogs.indiewire.co...ina-simone

So last we reported on this project, it had been financed to the tune of $10 million, had been cast (Mary J. Blige & David Oyelowo in the starring roles), and was booked to start filming at the end of May last year, much to the chagrin of a lot of you folks.

That obviously DID NOT happen, as was initially reported.

Why? It had to be delayed until October, because, as you may recall, Mary J Blige later signed on to co-star in Rock Of Ages with Tom Cruise and the rest of that film's cast.

I tend to get a little worried about projects that, at first, are announced as sure-things, and then get pushed around for one reason or another, no matter how valid.

Skip ahead to earlier today, around mid-day, when S&A reader Akimbo posted a comment on an old Nina Simonepost saying that Zoe Saldana had taken over for Mary J, but without a source link.

That's a rumor I'd heard previously, but didn't want to post until I had further confirmation. After Akimbo's comment, I was able to verify via 2 separate sources (1 close to a crew member who is attached to work on the project), that Zoe Saldana is attached to star as Nina Simone in the same film that has long been in development, with Cynthia Mort, who’s credits include writing and producing several episodes of popular TV series like Roseanne and Will And Grace, still listed as the screenwriter and director of the project.

If you recall, the film will focus on Simone’s relationship with Paris-based manager Clifton Henderson who will be played by Oyelowo.

Still no official announcement just yet; however, if my sources are correct, and this actually moves forward, I fear for the final results, because I simply cannot picture Zoe Saldana as Nina Simone. The choice makes very little sense to me.

So much for our recommendation that Adepero Oduye star as Nina Simone.

Yes!!! i love Zoe! go her

I'd heard Mary had decided not to do the role from last year.

Perfect casting! Zoe is no joke. Jada would have killed it too.

Thank God. Anyone but Mary for this role.

missfee said:

Thank God. Anyone but Mary for this role.

Mary probably looks more like Nina Simone, but I don't think she can act

OldFriends4Sale said:

missfee said:

Thank God. Anyone but Mary for this role.

Mary probably looks more like Nina Simone, but I don't think she can act

Hell naw she can't. That's why I said what I said. I'd rather have someone who can act anyday over how similar they look to the actual person...then again, I'd prefer documentaries over bio-movies anyday as well. I'd rather see the person in the flesh through past interviews, concerts and clips than watching some fabricated movie about their life.

From bad to worst... yeah I said it.

Opening casting call probably would've been a better bet. With all due respect this is like Aretha Franklin thinking Hala Berry should play her in a movie. Delusional.

missfee said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Mary probably looks more like Nina Simone, but I don't think she can act

Hell naw she can't. That's why I said what I said. I'd rather have someone who can act anyday over how similar they look to the actual person...then again, I'd prefer documentaries over bio-movies anyday as well. I'd rather see the person in the flesh through past interviews, concerts and clips than watching some fabricated movie about their life.

Better a documentary than a bullshit movie.

Timmy84 said:

missfee said:

Hell naw she can't. That's why I said what I said. I'd rather have someone who can act anyday over how similar they look to the actual person...then again, I'd prefer documentaries over bio-movies anyday as well. I'd rather see the person in the flesh through past interviews, concerts and clips than watching some fabricated movie about their life.

Better a documentary than a bullshit movie.

A documentary has been done, damn good one in my opinion. I don't Hollywood bio pics anyway, you need hip boots to shovel the manure away to know the real story.

TD3 said:

From bad to worst... yeah I said it.

Opening casting call probably would've been a better bet. With all due respect this is like Aretha Franklin thinking Hala Berry should play her in a movie. Delusional.

And you can say it again

There're SO many things that don't make sense about this casting

imo kimberly elise would be a much better choice to portray nina simone. her skin tone is more true to nina's and kimberly has a great acting background. zoe is good, but i cannot see her emotting the hardcore edginess of nina simone.

she's so much closer image wise to nina simone than zoe saldana, and she's got stronger acting chops imo.

nina simone

JoeBala said:

Perfect casting! Zoe is no joke. Jada would have killed it too.

Jada is too busy running around telling everyone bout the status of her marriage.

who knows maybe zoe will pull it off.

imo she's going to have to really go deep into her core to bring out the realness of nina simone.

read here:

Zoe Saldana Joins Long-Planned Nina Simone Biopic

http://moviesblog.mtv.com...ne-biopic/

Posted 14 August 2012 circa 12:10pm Terri Schwartzin

Though she's juggling some major projects with "Star Trek 2" and the "Avatar" sequels, Zoe Saldana has decided to board the long in-development Nina Simone biopic, "Nina."

The news came from It's On The Grid, who posted the casting development and nothing else. It's unclear whether Saldana will play Simone herself or another character in the movie. Mary J. Blige was previously attached as the lead but has seemingly since departed the project. Saldana certainly has the star power for the leading role, but she seems a bit young to play the jazz singer the way the filmmakers want her to be played.

According to a plot synopsis posted by The Playlist, "Nina" will tell the story of Simone's relationship with her assistant, Clifton Henderson (David Oyelowo), that occurred in her later years. That's why Saldana's inclusion is curious, as the 34-year-old certainly isn't old enough to play an older version of the jazz singer and civil rights activist.

There is always the chance that the story for "Nina" has changed in the two years first became involved, though. Simone's youth is (from what we know) more interesting than her later romance, so it would make sense for the film to tell that instead. Or Simone's story could be told through flashbacks, with Saldana playing a younger version of the character. The Playlist also suggests that she could play Simone's daughter, Lisa Celeste Stroud, who was around Saldana's age at the time her mother entered into the romance with Henderson.

Though this news raises more questions than answers, it at least tells us that there is some forward momentum on the project. That's great news, since it's a story that is deserving of being told, especially with actors as big as Saldana and Oyelowo attached.

this, i think i will go to the movie theatre to see.

[Edited 8/14/12 13:04pm]

Nina's life/outlook on life was very much colored by her physical appearance. If she looked like Zoe Saldana, she would have had a much easier life. Terrible casting!!

TD3 said:

From bad to worst... yeah I said it.

Opening casting call probably would've been a better bet. With all due respect this is like Aretha Franklin thinking Hala Berry should play her in a movie. Delusional.

Zoe is nothing like Nina.

I love Zoe Saldana but you mean to tell me out of all the Black actresses on the entire Earth they couldnt have found a more suitable one that better fits the role?

Wow!

TD3 said:

From bad to worst... yeah I said it.

Opening casting call probably would've been a better bet. With all due respect this is like Aretha Franklin thinking Hala Berry should play her in a movie. Delusional.

You may be right but i want Zoe! I want Zoe! I want Zoe!

MidniteMagnet said:

Nina's life/outlook on life was very much colored by her physical appearance. If she looked like Zoe Saldana, she would have had a much easier life. Terrible casting!!

Sees it!!!!

Stymie said:

Was this role too small potatoes for the fantastic Viola Davis?

I can see Zoe Saldana playing Diana Ross life story instead of Nina Simone.

This is a horrible choice. I don't think Zoe Saldana can act. She is impossibly annoying to me. However, I always thought that on looks alone if she ever starred in a bio pic it should be one about La Lupe.

[Edited 8/16/12 7:52am]

Who La Lupe?

In the times Ms. Simone lived looking like Zoe Saldana wouldn't have helped her one bit. It didn't help Ms. Horne who had the nerve to speak up and out when she or our people were being unfairly mistreated, she was promptly whitelisted. White supremacy during those times didn't give much lead way to do squat, unless you could "pass," Tom your way through -- and the latter had its limits -- you were boxed in and terrorized.

It makes you wonder if they think all Black people look alike. I have nothing against Ms. Saldana personally but this choice is idiotic. I'll wait to see what the script looks like but I'd be very surprised if they capture the Simone utter outrage of what racism cost the black community. She was never one of those grinning black people talking about it's all and the past and I have no hard feelings. That wasn't her make up, its one of the reasons why she couldn't live in the US.

[Edited 8/16/12 10:07am]

[Edited 8/16/12 13:36pm]

bellanoche said:

This is a horrible choice. I don't think Zoe Saldana can act. She is impossibly annoying to me. However, I always thought that on looks alone if she ever starred in a bio pic it should be one about La Lupe.

[Edited 8/16/12 7:52am]

She can't act to me either. I thought she sucked in Star Trek and in Columbiana.

TD3 said:

In the time Ms. Simone lived looking like Zoe Saldana wouldn't have helped her one bit. It didn't help Ms. Horne who had the nerve to speak up and out when she or our people were being mistreated unfairly, she was promptly whitelisted. White supremacy during those times didn't give much lead way to do squat, unless you could "pass," Tom your way through -- and the latter had its limits -- you were boxed in and terrorized.

It makes you wonder if they think all Black people look alike. I have nothing against Ms. Saldana personally but this choice is idiotic. I'll wait to what the script looks like but I'd be very surprised if the capture the Simone utter outrage of what racism cost the black community. She was never one of those grinning black people talking about it's all and the past and I have no hard feelings. That wasn't her make up, its one of the reasons why she couldn't live in the US.

[Edited 8/16/12 10:07am]

TD3 said:

In the time Ms. Simone lived looking like Zoe Saldana wouldn't have helped her one bit. It didn't help Ms. Horne who had the nerve to speak up and out when she or our people were being mistreated unfairly, she was promptly whitelisted. White supremacy during those times didn't give much lead way to do squat, unless you could "pass," Tom your way through -- and the latter had its limits -- you were boxed in and terrorized.

It makes you wonder if they think all Black people look alike. I have nothing against Ms. Saldana personally but this choice is idiotic. I'll wait to what the script looks like but I'd be very surprised if the capture the Simone utter outrage of what racism cost the black community. She was never one of those grinning black people talking about it's all and the past and I have no hard feelings. That wasn't her make up, its one of the reasons why she couldn't live in the US.

[Edited 8/16/12 10:07am]

I agree here

But in general I've seen it across the board black & white who have cast "black" people just because of the label and not what people look like.

I believe Sidney Poitier played Adam Clayton Powell jr in a 1970's tv movie

2002 cable television film Keep the Faith, Baby, starring Harry Lennix

Doug McHenry:director (AA)

Harry -He's light complexioned but can't pass for white as Adam did/could

He looks more like Malcolm X than Denzel though

Sidney couldn't pass for plain mixed, much less a white looking 'mulatto'

It seems there are these IT women and they get all the roles in a period of time ie Angela Bassett then Halley Berry no Zoe Saldona is make IT

Physically & visually she looks nothing like Nina, there are women who can portray Nina in every stage of her life who actually look more like here.

Stymie said:

bellanoche said:

This is a horrible choice. I don't think Zoe Saldana can act. She is impossibly annoying to me. However, I always thought that on looks alone if she ever starred in a bio pic it should be one about La Lupe.

[Edited 8/16/12 7:52am]

She can't act to me either. I thought she sucked in Star Trek and in Columbiana.

I think she can act, but...

Harlepolis said:

MidniteMagnet said:

Nina's life/outlook on life was very much colored by her physical appearance. If she looked like Zoe Saldana, she would have had a much easier life. Terrible casting!!

Sees it!!!!

and Good Evenin'!