Thursday, March 13, 2008

Etta James Portrayed in "Cadillac Records": Beyonce Knowles Will Attempt to Capture Spirit of R&B Icon

Beyonce To Portray Legendary Blues Singer Etta James In 'Cadillac Records'

Film about influential record label also features Adrien
Brody, Cedric the Entertainer, Jeffrey Wright.

By Jayson Rodriguez

Beyoncé is bound for the big screen once again.

The "Irreplaceable" singer will star as legendary blues singer Etta James in Darnell Martin's "Cadillac Records," according to The Hollywood Reporter. She will also serve as one of the movie's executive producers.

""Cadillac Records" will follow the life of influential Chicago-based record-company executive Leonard Chess — who ran the legendary record company with his brother, Phil, through the 1950s and '60s — and the label's lineup of musical icons, including James, Muddy Waters (Jeffrey Wright), Willie Dixon (Cedric the Entertainer) and Little Walter (Columbus Short). Oscar winner Adrien Brody is scheduled to play Chess.

"The role is the first for Beyoncé since her turn as Deena Jones in the musical "Dreamgirls." As Jones, the singer earned two Golden Globe nominations, for Best Actress in a Motion Picture and Best Original Song.

"While her "Dreamgirls" character was loosely based on Diana Ross, Beyoncé will have some big shoes to fill as the real-life James. The gutsy and full-figured legend belted out many standout blues and jazz tracks, including "At Last," which she was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for in 1999.

"James has long been a revered figure among female singers. Christina Aguilera has called James her idol and doted on her in interviews. In 2006, as part of InStyle magazine's pairing of singers and their musical mentors, James and Aguilera met and were photographed together.

"Etta is my all-time favorite singer," Aguilera told MTV News at the time. "I've said it for the last seven years — since I had my first debut record out — in every interview, in every story, in every on- and off-camera question. I mean, all of Etta's old songs, countless songs I could name, I grew up listening to. That music was always such a huge escape for me, even from a young age."

As of press time, no release date had been scheduled for the film.


Comments on this Article

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LilBeyonce (03.11.08 | 8:55 PM)

I Can't Wait for her movie! She is a Fabulous Singer & Actress....I Love Beyonce and Im Behind Her 100% On This Movie and any other projects or decisions she has in the future. Go Ahead Bee! Keep doin ya thang!

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damiennphilly (03.09.08 | 1:50 PM)

I love beyonce for everything she is and has brought to the table .Beyonce is what I want to see in entertainers but this may be her biggest challenge yet.hip hopera Carmen was a great role for her , gold member was funny but no , fighting temptation gave me something but not enough . Pink panther (bored me to deaf) lol .

I love beyonce in dreamgirls she got lost because (everyone loves a ghetto black women) and beyonce was plain jane and not as emotional as jennifer was so people couldn't relate to beyonce.I will say this to the day I die .. jennifer should not have recieved that oscar , I don't care what anybody say at allllllllll.

This movie everyone knows etta have not been a angel she was a mess back in her day and beyonce has to master that .the great thing about everything is that Etta is thrilled beyonce is playing her and will coach her with how etta sound and performed and everthing .good luck B

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Aaron Veal (02.28.08 | 5:41 PM)

umm why she keep playin these part's she not gone get no oscar so she might as well sit dat **** down

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BROWNSUGA917 (02.27.08 | 1:59 AM)

Noone3 you understood what i said and i see it shut yo a** up! Movin-on

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ashleeb (02.23.08 | 5:44 PM)

well, well, well. i am truly disappointed with this news. beyonce is a great singer. shea great dancer. songwriter? ehh? actress? definitely not. if you take the time to look at her other roles, you will surely agree. there is no 'hate' involved, here. just true facts. i think she only got the role because she is executive producer, and if that is the case, tat's even more disappointing for etta james, because they are not doing her justice. come on, people. don't let this happen. please.

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noone3 (02.23.08 | 5:24 AM)

Can you say that garbage in English please?

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BROWNSUGA917 (02.22.08 | 11:52 PM)

"Whore" where did that come from? B is a lady! Make up your mind though first you say she is never on pitch she is always screaming then you say I am not saying B is a terrible singer. I'm sorry but someone that is never on pitch and always screaming is a horrible singer and that is what you said. I do not think that fame defindes talent but in her case mama it does not only singing but writing as well.

This woman for sure has a whole lot of talent that can not be denied. It is not to you hear her live that you know there will be years and years to come of her. And no she doesn't have to go to ever celebeity party to be noticed or act like a fool for the cameras to get gossip fame.

That is why Paris and Brittany are still even making big bucks by selling stories and thier backsides B just sells music and look what she's accomplished and will continue. But enough already B is where she is for a reason and it's not because she is a whore by no means at all maybe that is what you would have had to do but don't put that on no one else.Next time just watch who you hate on it's not cute when you hate on the biggest.

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noone3 (02.22.08 | 7:34 PM)

Because some of us wouldn't whore ourselves out to sell millions of records. Fame is not the identifier of talent you seem to think it is. If this was the case Britney Spears could sing and Paris Hilton would have some kind of talent. Etta James was a great singer. I am not saying B has a terrible voice. I'm saying she need a better grasp on technique if she wants to play one of the legends of blues.

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BROWNSUGA917 (02.22.08 | 5:20 AM)

Oh yeah and as for you pretty woman you out of your league for even putting you face on your profile and calling it pretty.

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BROWNSUGA917 (02.22.08 | 5:18 AM)

Whateva "tune", "tone" who cares she is not out of either. B is bad and for you to have taken so many lessons where is your album selling millions of records and I do mean millionssss so take a back seat and really listen because at this time ain't nobody got nothing on B.

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noone3 (02.20.08 | 7:45 PM)

"tune" dear. The word is "tune". "Tune" aka the act of being on pitch. She just screams she is never on pitch. As for stupid if taking years of vocal lessons makes one stupid then yes i am very stupid.

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jamian320 (02.20.08 | 6:27 PM)

Beyonce is never out of tone i dont have any idea where that came from... and she's out of her league isn't nothing but hate. I agree with MissTJay all the way she has grown as a actress and i believe she will keep growing. GO HEAD BEYONCE keep showin the haters how stupid they look.

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jgoldner (02.20.08 | 4:10 PM)

Hahahahah burrrrn!

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noone3 (02.20.08 | 3:26 PM)

I hope she at least takes some lessons so she doesn't sound as out of tune as she normally does.

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PrettyWoman (02.20.08 | 1:24 PM)

She's out of her league.

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MissTJay (02.20.08 | 12:26 PM)

Beyonce really grew as an actress with Dreamgirls. I hope her growth continues with this movie. http://www.neonlimelight.com

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