Janet withdraws from Lena Horne biopic, producers stick by her
The following article comes from Variety.com:

In the latest ripple caused by Janet Jackson's Super Bowl exposure, the singer has abruptly withdrawn from an ABC biopic about Lena Horne -- putting the project in limbo.

Storyline Entertainment partners Craig Zadan and Neil Meron have ankled as exec producers in solidarity with Jackson, who was due to play Horne.

A spokeswoman for Jackson said she was effectively dis-invited from the movie by Horne and her daughter Gail Lumet Buckley, who were incensed when Jackson flashed during the halftime show. Horne refused to return her contract for the pic until ABC guaranteed that Jackson was off the project, which is being produced by Storyline and Sony Pictures Television. ABC execs refused Horne's demand, but the issue has become moot with the reaction of Jackson, Zadan and Meron.

Alphabet insiders said the project is now up in the air; barring another superstar casting, however, it's unlikely to move forward.

"It's sad this had to happen. It was a perfect match," one ABC insider said.

The Super Bowl stunt has had far reaching implications. The FCC is investigating, and broadcasters have in turn tightened the screws to eliminate the chance of another unscripted surprise that could shock and offend mass audiences.

Stormy weather was rumored to be brewing over the ABC biopic early last week, as word surfaced that Horne's displeasure hadn't abated. At the time, it was hoped that the singers would meet and that the duet would end harmoniously. But Horne refused to meet with Jackson.

Jackson looked at the movie as a prestigious way to jumpstart her acting career, which has included roles in 1970s sitcom "Good Times" and John Singleton's "Poetic Justice." She was recently photographed as Horne in a glamorous Vanity Fair layout.

Zadan and Meron left the project right after Jackson, and a spokeswoman for the producers said they would concentrate on finding another project to do with the singer.

It's not surprising they stuck by Jackson. While ABC already had optioned a Horne bio, it wasn't until Jackson approached the producers that the project became a film on the fast track.

Jackson signed to play the elegant singer who broke racial barriers, and she also planned to re-record some of Horne's classic songs.

"She is someone I've admired my whole life," Jackson said of Horne when the project was greenlit last fall.

Roy Campanella Jr. was set to direct Shirley Pierce's script based on "Lena," the autobiography the singer wrote with Richard Schickel.

This is absolutely ridiculous, and has went way too far! You know what, I don't even want Janet portraying someone so close minded that she even refused to meet with her to have a discussion like adults. The movie was in the air for a long time and was going NOWHERE before Janet showed interest in it, so screw Lena Horne.

all this over a bit of nipple?

Lena Horne has a lot of damn nerve and to be quite honest, I am NOT interested in a Lena Horne biopic anydamnway! To be honest: who is Lena Horne anyway? She was just another pretty light-skinned actress who could "pass" in her era. She was a decent singer and a half-decent actress.

All this over a tit?

poeticrockstar said:

same to be said about janet.

poeticrockstar said:

Agree. I was excited over it because Janet was doing it, but to be honest I didn't know much of Lena Horne before this, and she hasn't had a terribly interesting life.

Lena has every right to demand a re-cast. It's her life, it's her movie. ABC execs are probably sticking by Janet because she agreed to an interview with Diane Sawyer.

purplegypsy said:

whateva, treva.

theVelvetRoper said:

LOL!

READ ABOUT LENA HORNE. Hell of a lot more talented than Janet, even though I don't like her music much. She was one of the first black superstars in the US. She had class, a great voice, and could act. She has had a DAMN interesting life. Would you say Einstein didn't have an interesting life simply because you didn't know anything about him? Don't think so.

Do I particularly like the fact that Lena kicked Janet off the project? No, I think she would have been perfect for the part. But this is Lena's biopic - she's 87 now, and if she wants someone with more class to play her, then so be it. She's earned her stripes, she can do what she wants. If this were Frank Sinatra kicking Justin Timberlake off of his biopic because he didn't have enough class then no one would be making a fuss.

But yeah, I can see why Lena, nearing the end of her life, doesn't want a pop star like Janet to play her. When you've spent your 50-year career recording jazz and easy-listening standards and quietly selling millions of records, you probably don't want a woman who exposes herself on national TV to play you. You probably don't want a publicity-seeking pop star who is the complete antithesis of you to represent your image. I can see her point of view. Maybe Janet aficionados can't (although I consider myself one). But contrary to your belief, I don't really think Lena "needs" Janet to sell this project. In the same manner that a Dorothy Dandridge biopic would have been compelling with someone OTHER than Halle Berry in the lead role, this film will be a good watch as long as a good actress plays the title role. Unknown or mega-superstar.

Remember that without people like Lena, there would be no Janet.
[This message was edited Tue Feb 24 11:55:46 2004 by VoicesCarry]

VoicesCarry said:

standing ovation

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

Oooh, absolutely! And then some!!!

Lena Horne is a L E G E N D in the truest sense of the word. I'm glad she's putting her foot down. She's always been a class act.

And, I'm just going to have to ignore some of the more glaring comments made about Ms. Horne. They belied their ignorance fairly clearly.

VoicesCarry said:

I'm quite familiar with Lena Horne, and regardless of the "Superbowl incident", Janet has class.

theVelvetRoper said:

To you and me (we grew up in the 80s and 90s) but maybe not to Lena. And that's all that matters. Regardless of what anyone thinks, there is a certain sense of professionalism and good taste that Lena is likely used to in her contemporaries - but that just doesn't exist anymore in the field of superstar pop.
[This message was edited Tue Feb 24 13:09:27 2004 by VoicesCarry]

VoicesCarry said:

I understand with what you're saying, but I still think Lena Horne's decision is ridiculous.

theVelvetRoper said:

I do, too. But I respect it because I understand where she's coming from.

I agree with Lena having the right to not want Janet playing her. However...just because Janet exposed a breast does mean she lacks class...I think she is one of the classiest out there. It showed class to pull out of the project as well as to not attend the Grammys.

And while we are discussing class....I remember Lena Horne lookin' not too classy a few years ago...obviously high out of her mind and making no sense at all as a presenter at the Grammys. No...it was not because she's old...I saw her on other shows/interviews around the same time and she was more with it than she was on the Grammys. She was obviously on something and was extremely embarrassing. I don't know whats worse...exposing a breast or coming on stage in your elder years cracked out.
[This message was edited Tue Feb 24 19:51:05 2004 by Funk]

At the end of the day, I still respect Lena and I still respect Janet.

Funk said:

[This message was edited Tue Feb 24 21:01:18 2004 by ThreadBare]

That's some cold shit. Exnay Janet b/c she can't fucking act, not over this superbowl shit

CalhounSq said:

why do i find myself agreeing with you more and more now? have you mellowed with age..or have i?

and i actually think this is a good thing for both parties..now lena can get someone with the *right* talent to play her..not saying janet isnt talented..just not in the same way lena was...

sosgemini said:

So who would you suggest portray Lena?

theVelvetRoper said:

Please. Anybody but
We've seen how "classy" she can be...


Besides, the exec producers walked after Janet did. This flick is dead in the water until further notice.

theVelvetRoper said:

Someone who can sing, perhaps?

BlaqueKnight said:

It's called "Acting", dahling, acting.

PS: Great tits though.

VoicesCarry said:

Thank you for having the patience to address this...

Brava, VC.

theVelvetRoper said:

You nod as if you've seen the above mentioned show as well. I can't ever remember seeing Lena Horne "whacked out" on anything- during performances or on other television appearances, and that's after having seen her zillons of times in the company of some of my elder relatives, who are musical colleagues of hers.

Funk said:

I don't recall ever seeing that, and I've watched the Grammys for the past 10 years. There has never been a HINT of scandal in Lena's life, and unless you can back this up, I don't think it's believable.

Perhaps you were confusing Lena with Liza Minelli, who did indeed make a drugged-out appearance at the Grammys several years ago.

VoicesCarry said:

poeticrockstar said:

I hope nobody takes this the wrong way but I think that Lena Horne is an old bitty cunt!

Seriously, I have no interest in this stupid movie now so ABC and Lena can cram this piece of crap. Considering Janet ignited interest in this project, do you think it is far if they even make it now? No, it isn't and I hope it either doesn't get made or that Janet sues for being ousted out of a project she help conceieve.

VoicesCarry said:[quote]

theVelvetRoper said:

I would really like to see Frank Sinatra kick Justin Timberlake off his biopic. Seriously, if Frank Sinatra were alive and this was happening the same way as if Janet, it wouldn't be the same for a number of reasons. While Lena has the right to say no, they really have no right to make this movie after Janet got the ball rolling. They've pretty much used Janet and spit her out. Guess what? If some newcomer does this role, I along with most of the world don't give a rats ass! Also, while I hardly see Justin as a classy guy, compared to Sinatra...shit!