http://blogs.indiewire.co...-from-them

via Shadow and Act

Let me just first say that, in all fairness, we don't know what stage of the make-up process she's in here. So the final *look* after all the work is done (which may or may not include prosthetics), might be very different from what we see here.

So, I wouldn't judge based solely on these pictures.

However, what we could probably learn from the photos is that Zoe Saldana will likely be made-up to resemble Nina Simone as much as possible, afro and all. That was one of the questions many had, but director Cyntia Mortwasn't really asked by those who were able to get an interview with her (we weren't so lucky) - whether Zoe would play Nina exactly as Zoe looks (the thought being that maybe Mort was taking creative liberties beyond just the story, and would do so with the *look* as well - something similar to what Todd Haynes did with I'm Not There, his Bob Dyan film), or whether they'll use make-up to change Zoe's look, so that she looks more like the real Nina Simone; and if so, how much or how little, and would prosthetics be involved?

We see the afro, and it appears that her skin will be darkened (if you look closely at her face, you'll see some color gradation), from the 2 photos below.

But let's see what the first OFFICIAL image/clip from the film looks like; that'll tell us much of what we need to know.

These photos were submitted by a reader.

As was recently announced, Mike Epps joined the cast, playing Richard Pryor. And David Oyelowo will be Nina's Paris-based manager Clifton Henderson.

The film started filming this past week in Los Angeles, with Mark Burton, Barnaby Thompson, Stuart Parr and Ben Latham Jones producing.

[Edited 10/22/12 9:24am]

Nina's daughter says this film is unauthorized.

She looks like she's trying to bring back Nina's Afro look from the late sixties?

She does. I think this is going to be straight to DVD

scriptgirl said:

She does. I think this is going to be straight to DVD

Me too.

...... eh people will hate on me but idc i think Zoe is one of the most talented actress out today. She has doen a couple duds.. but i would see it just cause her fine, talented ass is in it

I think she will do great as Nina.. most don't agree but i think she will suprise people.

[Edited 10/24/12 21:28pm]

She will kill it though. She's got skills.

I'm gonna wait to see before I judge, I'm kinda sick of folks wanting to see a look a like get a role with no acting experience before they give a real actor a chance.

Zoe is the real deal to me in her other roles and if she can pull this off kudos to her!!

Someone is taking sneak photos for this movie, damn that's a reach.

Hollywood's colorism is really showing. Nina was dark-skinned woman, and they choose Zoe who isn't even fully black. I think she's a good actress, but why couldn't they choose a dark-skinned actress?

Oh wait, there AREN'T any.

Not wanting to step into the color mess because it would escalate quickly, if this indeed what she's going to look like for the movie, they're failing miserably.

this is hollywood attempt to rewrite history and tarnish her image and rep. i known which script thay are using and it will be slanderous. u wait and see.

Terrib3Towel said:

Hollywood's colorism is really showing. Nina was dark-skinned woman, and they choose Zoe who isn't even fully black. I think she's a good actress, but why couldn't they choose a dark-skinned actress?

Oh wait, there AREN'T any.

Could have been worse. Angelina Jolie worse.

I still say Thandie Newton should have played Marianne Pearl

Terrib3Towel said:

Hollywood's colorism is really showing. Nina was dark-skinned woman, and they choose Zoe who isn't even fully black. I think she's a good actress, but why couldn't they choose a dark-skinned actress?

Oh wait, there AREN'T any.

I agree that Nina was a dark-skinned woman and they should have picked a woman more similar to her, like Macy Gray or someone like that. However Zoe Saldana is a black latina woman, she's just mixed like most latinos are but it doesn't take away that she's black

Terrib3Towel said:

Hollywood's colorism is really showing. Nina was dark-skinned woman, and they choose Zoe who isn't even fully black. I think she's a good actress, but why couldn't they choose a dark-skinned actress?

Oh wait, there AREN'T any.

kimberly elise could would have been a much better choice. plus she's has great acting skills.

complexion-wise and acting skill-wise, kimberly elise would be much more believable for this role.

free2bfreeda said:

Terrib3Towel said:

Hollywood's colorism is really showing. Nina was dark-skinned woman, and they choose Zoe who isn't even fully black. I think she's a good actress, but why couldn't they choose a dark-skinned actress?

Oh wait, there AREN'T any.

kimberly elise could would have been a much better choice. plus she's has great acting skills.

complexion-wise and acting skill-wise, kimberly elise would be much more believable for this role.

Oh yes Kim would be perfect

Hollywood is phasing out completely black actresses.

In the U.K. its even worse, every "black" female character is played by a biracial actress.

It's a shame really, I bet in 50 years (if the world lasts that long) there will be very few dark-skinned people left. Everybody will be fair-skinned.

It's a well-known fact black men date/marry outside their race more than any other ethnicity. It's only going to increase as time goes by.

VIOLA DAVIS!!!!!!!!!