*Working the Golden Globes red carpet, Halle Berry was bombarded with questions about her reported starring role in an Aretha Franiklin biopic. Apparently – it’s not a done deal.
There were reports last week that the Queen of Soul herself confirmed the casting after months of stating publicly that Berry was her first choice. But the Oscar winner’s responses on Sunday made it seem as though she had yet to sign a contract.
She told E! News’ Ryan Seacrest: “I can’t sing! If I could carry a tune, I’d consider it. Someone should tell Aretha that I can’t do her justice.”
Berry told “Access Hollywood’s” Shaun Robinson the same thing.
“Somebody needs to tell ReRe I can’t sing,” Berry said. “Now if she’s gonna do the singing for me, I’m up for the challenge. …You can’t play Aretha and not hold a tune. That’s me. So, if she wants to sing, I can do the acting and maybe it could happen. I would be honored beyond belief, honestly.
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In a phone interview with Wendy Williams last week, Franklin — who has been recovering from an undisclosed illness over the last few months — confirmed that producers are moving forward with plans to bring her life story to the big screen.
“For the last four years, we’ve been talking about (the film), and I have had a number of offers. Unfortunately, they were not good offers. Now, we have something on the table,” said Franklin. “They have all of the financing on one project… (and are) in the process of writing things for me to approve.”
woooo, a bullett dodged!!! somebody’s got some ‘splaining to do. Re’ made it seem like it was in the bag…gratefully Halle set the record straight. This movie ain’t never gonna get made.
She sure did make it seem like the ink was dry… but we all know ReRe is not always forthcoming with the truth.
she shoulda recommended Gabourey Sidibe…
You’re wrong for that, Huey.
At least Halle is honest enough to admit she could not do the role justice because she cannot sing anywhere near the level of Aretha, she should be commended for that.
Definitely agree. Glad to see that Halle has a clue. Now, about that dress Halle wore, that’s a whole ‘nother thang…
I agree with you on Halle’s dress, I usually like what she wears BUT!! at the Golden Globes that was not good it looked unfinished and it was by a well known designer at that.
Did Halle do her own singing when she portrayed Dorothy Dandridge??? If I recall correctly she didn’t (but I may be wrong). I wonder why she feels she has to be able to sing in order to play this role?? Perhaps this is an excuse because she doesn’t want to.
I agree RSMI, I love me some Re but, I can imagine Halle being “appalled” at the notion that this big gal wants “MS” Halle to portray her…turn it over in your mind a bit, Halle was literally pleading to be “UN”considered.
I agree. That’s what actors do… ACT. She could play the role if she really wanted it, but I suppose she doesn’t. I ain’t mad at her. I would be appalled too. Hate to use my Vanessa Williams/Ester Roll analogy again, but can you imagine V. Wms reaction if she was asked to do Esther in a biopic? She’d be like WTF??? I am sure Halle had the same reaction about playing Aretha.
I hate to go there but this sounds like something that comes from Aretha’s perception of herself.
If you think about how comfortable she is in wearing fashions that do not always seem complimentary to the masses, Aunt Ree Ree thinks she looks great.
You gotta applaud someone with that level of confidence and belief in their own self image…….it may not translate into something that the masses fully comprehend, but, it is how the Queen of Soul sees herself.
bartholomew > > I agree with you 100%. It’s obvious that Aretha feel’s that one has to be extremely beautiful to play her, and of course we all know that Re Re is fooling herself.
I’m also happy to hear that Halle feels that she may not be the right choice the role. When I first heard this, I thought why Halle? I would think Jennifer Hudson, Anika Noni Rose, or Brandie would be better choices.
Halle would do a young Aretha justice in the looks department, I’m no so sure in the acting department though. She’s beautiful, but not that believable to me.
J-Hud would be perfect for the Aretha role. Hell, even queen Latifah, for the later years LOL but NOT Ms. Berry
It’s not that hard to understand why Aretha would want Halle to play her. She is the most recognizable black actress.
And as for Aretha’s size, this is a role that will more likely portray her in her early days when she was young, beautiful and more petite.
But since Halle now think she is too “big” for those roles, Jenifer Hudson must be smiling right about now.
“this is a role that will more likely portray her in her early days when she was young, beautiful and more petite”………..and what age would that be? 2?
Maybe you want to google “Aretha Frankline pics” to see how well proportioned she was as a young woman.
Oh, no. I beg to differ. In the first article, Aretha Franklin was specifically quoted as saying Halle is good to play an “older me.” My question is WHERE, ARETHA, WHERE?!!! How do you figure?!
Halle Berry is hot-fierce. Aretha Franklin is so-so.
You guys are ruthless up in here…LOL…I did hear ReRe say she wanted Halle to play her in her “later” years.
I know, right? Ruthless indeed. If Aretha wants to think she looked like Halle when she was young then I guess it’s up to Halle to do the sensible thing and pass on the project! I don’t think ReRe wants anyone else’s voice singing her songs. So she was thinking Halle wouldn’t dare try and sing like her. I was thinking J Hud but now she is too skinny! LOL Maybe they should do a nationwide search and find an unknown to play the part.
I can’t understand some folks who think this Berry lady is so beautiful. We think anything Black and European-looking is so beautiful. That’s Madison Avenue-Willie Lynch Brainwash. If you wanna see beautiful women of color look among our own women or go to Ethiopia or Brazil. Berry wouldn’t even be noticed walking down the streets of Addis Abeba or Bahia Salvador.
Actually, I wasn’t referring to Halle’s European features. I was talking about her quadriceps and how her hips flare out from beneath her flat waistline. Halle is toned and stays that way. THAT is what makes her beautiful, not her complexion or the shape of her nose.
To sum up: Halle is HOT, and Aretha is NOT