Beyoncé "The World Is Mine" Knowles Returns to Film?
Another film adaptation of a musical may mean a new role for the DreamGirls star. According to Jill Hill Media, early reports are indicating that Disney is looking to cast Jay-Z's woman in the film version of AIDA.
But what about the Black stars on Broadway who created these roles? Can a relatively unknown get a break? Does a sista' have to be "bootylicious" to be considered?
Why not cast the incredible Heather Headley? She actually created the role of Aida in the Broadway musical and actually won the Tony Award for her show-stopping performance.
The SF Chronicle wrote of this tuff sista' on her B'way opening: "That the whole enterprise doesn't sink like a Nile barge is largely due to Heather Headley, who gives an arresting performance in the title role.
From the moment the Nubian princess is captured as a slave ... Headley commands the stage ... Headley deploys a penetrating gaze, grandly sinuous physical presence and a voice that climbs to fearless, exposed heights."Hear this, the original concept of DreamGirls The Film, according to sources that wish to remain anonymous, was to take a great show and great music and "create stars." This is what happened when DreamGirls came to the Broadway. It created stars that we now know and it did it instantly; Jennifer Holiday, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Oba Babatunde', Ben Harney, Clevant Derrick and of course the Allen sisters, Debbie and Felisha.
So what happened to the star-making DreamGirls the movie? Well, Beyonce got interested and unlike what was reported in the press, was the first and only choice. The films other stars, including Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx and Danny Glover had to posture and claw their way in.
This is one reason why the film got snubbed for a Best Picture Nomination. The Academy voters really wanted to put their arms around DreamGirls, but the stars and star attitudes just turned them off.
So who did get the heat and the Oscar win? The "newcomer," the "humble one," the appreciative gal we wanna see do good... Jennifer Hudson.
Imagine if this had been repeated, unknowns for some of the other roles. Oscar lighting may have struck them also.
So now AIDA, another musical written by B'way Veteran Tim Rice and Sir Elton John no less. So what do you think, could it have a shot at Oscar gold?
AIDA, but with Beyonce'? I don't know about you, but I'm getting tired of seeing the same faces. And in Hollywood we will never "green light" our own projects and create leverage, unless we have more bankable African American stars. And that won't happen unless we let unknowns rise up.