This week, director Bill Condon began lensing Dreamgirls, which may be the most eagerly-anticipated movie of the year. The Dream Works studio has finally released a new trailer and there's also a wonderful behind-the-scenes featurette which you can either view online (Quicktime, WMP or real Player) or download in iPod and PSP formats.
Above, left to right, the stars are Anika Noni Rose, Beyoncé Knowles and Jennifer Hudson. Let's go behind the scenes and meet our Dreamgirls ...
Jennifer Hudson has the legendary role of Effie White. "I'm so grateful to have done American Idol and now Dreamgirls," Jennifer says in the featurette. "If it wasn't for Idol, I wouldn't be here today." We're glad that Jen Hudson has landed such a plum role, a sure shot to stardom. Unfortunately, it's almost impossible to step into a role like Effie because so many people are asking the same question: How will it sound? Of course, "it" being Jennifer Holliday's And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going, the show-stopping anthem that still brings to tears to the eyes of almost everyone who hears it. But there's no comparison to Ms. Holliday, so let's just look forward to the Hudson version.
Beyoncé Knowles is Deena Jones, the glamorous second string singer who becomes the star of the new and improved girl group, The Dreams. (Sounds familiar?) Ms. Knowles is looking incredibly fabulous here. In the interview, Beyoncé says that this role is the dream of a lifetime. "We finally put the wigs on and the makeup and we feel like it's really. It's something that we all wanted so badly and it's here."
Anika Noni Rose is Lorrell Robinson. Sorry, no behind-the-scenes q&a, but most of us know the girl who is a perfect size one with the voice of much larger gospel or R&B star. Her most impressive Broadway credit has been in Caroline or Change. But for the few hundred people who saw the movie musical bomb From Justin to Kelly, you should recognize her as Kelly Clarkson's sidekick.
Now the boys. Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx is Curtis Taylor, the ambitious young manager who offers The Dreamettes the role of a lifetime and molds them into crossover hits. You can just see Jamie eating this role up; he looks great, has tremendous presence, gives you that old skool cat-daddy vibe, and, sure, he can (kinda) sing.
Eddie Murphy is James "Thunder" Early, the headliner for whom The Dreamettes sing backup. They eventually outgrow him and become The Dreams. At this point, no plans to cast Eddie's "best friend" Johnny Gill, although we're sure that there's a part for him in here somewhere.
Last but certainly not least, the man who is making it all happen: Bill Condon. The Oscar-winning screenwriter/director also adapted the screenplay from the original Broadway book. Condon wrote and directed Kinsey and the screenplay for Chicago.
Dreamgirls hits theatres in December. Playbill has just announced that the release date will be December 22, which is a perfect time for the holidays and the upcoming awards shows. As you can tell, we'll be following the movie every step of the way. This post will be updated with more news and information, sort of a primer to the movie, but for anyone who isn't familiar with the story, the Wikipedia entry is rather thorough. Also, you've probably noticed that we now have a Dreamgirls category.
Fame comes and goes, stars rise and fall, but dreams live forever.
Dreamgirls (Official Site) Dreamgirls: Complete History (Wikipedia) Dreamgirls Gets Release Date (Playbill) Dreamgirls Original Cast Recording (Amazon) Dreamgirls in Concert 2001 (Amazon) Dreamgirls in Concert: Review (Broadway)
Can't wait for this movie to come out! I know the media machine will be singing the praises of Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson, but the one to watch is Anika Noni Rose! She wowed me when I saw her on Broadway in "Caroline or Change". She played a 15 year old girl, but her voice moved effortlessly from a childlike quality to a deep, mature soulful sound. Her amazing performance allowed her to win the Tony Award that year for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. I liked her so much that I even bought the terrible movie, "From Justin to Kelly" because she was in it. Counting down the days till next Christmas!!!
Posted by: Tony | 21 January 2006 at 08:19
Oh thanks for the pictures. For some reason the trailer wasn't loading for me. It looks exqisite. Tony is soooo right; Anika Noni was THE reason to watch that horrible movie. Well, her voice and Justin's little melons.
Posted by: patrick s | 21 January 2006 at 08:59
Rod,
A Belated Happy New Year to you and yours. Thanks for all of the good info in the past and I eagerly look forward to viewing your site in the future. GOD BLESS.
AR
Posted by: Allan | 21 January 2006 at 09:15
I echo the comments made about Anika Noni Rose. Loved here in "Caroline or Change" and she's the only seasonsed actor among the Dreams.
And we know Eddie has his own special role for Johnny. We're just not sure who'll get "top" billing.
But I have to wonder, why is it no Black director ever gets to helm these big Black cast pictures?
Posted by: Bernie | 21 January 2006 at 09:32
Yes, yes, Bernie. I'm sure Eddie has an opening that Johnny can fill.
Posted by: Gene | 21 January 2006 at 09:41
Rod. YOU'D BETTER WORK!
These girls look wonderful. I'm so glad that you took the time to go behind the scenes and show it all to us.
Bernie has a valid point but what quality black director could do this? Between our lack of interest and the studios refuse to give us a chance, sometimes we are on the sidelines.
Rod, since you have created a category for this film, THE QUEENS DEMAND WEEKLY UPDATES!!
Posted by: Michael | 21 January 2006 at 10:14
SEE!
THIS IS WHY YOU ARE THE MASTER, BABY!!!!
UPFRONT!
AHEAD!
DETAILED AND DESCRIPTIVE!
YOU ARE THE BLOGBEAST!!!
Posted by: TheRevKev | 21 January 2006 at 11:25
I'm glad for Jennifer. She deserves her 15-minutes and more.
If interested, I think Robert Townsend or Spike Lee could have directed this movie easily.
Posted by: Terrence | 21 January 2006 at 20:58
Why those Beyonce look white in those pictures?
Posted by: Joseph | 22 January 2006 at 12:37
I thought I was the only one that noticed Beyonce's new skin-color. Good lord, what is this girl up to? Is she going to pull the MJ trick on us? Hope not (although I wouldn't mind if she opted for a race change).
I see that Jennifer is still self-medicating with sugar-coated doughnuts. I love her so much, I can't wait to see her in Dreamgirls.
Yes, Anika rocks - can't figure out why she did that Clarkson movie.
Posted by: david | 22 January 2006 at 17:53
Jennifer is gonna rip it, watch and see
Posted by: deluge | 22 January 2006 at 19:55
"AND I'M TELLING YOU!!!"
can't wait for this!!
Posted by: hot lunch | 23 January 2006 at 01:03
its been a long time coming but i know its gonna be worth the wait
Posted by: algie | 23 January 2006 at 01:16
Interesting, nothing is said about Danny Glover.
Posted by: Chango | 23 January 2006 at 09:58
shouldn't eddy play the agent, and Jamie play the singer? seems like they'd be better suited if they switched... all the same looks like a show I can take my moms to.
Posted by: marcus | 23 January 2006 at 14:57
I'm glad that Bill Condon is doing directing this movie version of "Dreamgirls." This movie has been too long in the making, and it needs someone who is passionate about it at its helm.
Posted by: Bobby | 27 January 2006 at 21:47