*In a strange turn of casting events, Zoe Saldana is taking over the Nina Simone role for singer Mary J. Blige.
Not that the original choice was great, but this one hardly makes sense.
The film was set to begin production last year at the end of May. But that didn’t happen even after being financed with a $10 million budget. It was put on hold because Mary was too busy filming “Rock of Ages.” So it was pushed off until October.
Then there were rumors of a casting change with the main star.
Although it hasn’t been officially announced, sources tell IndieWire/Shadow and Act that Zoe will be Nina Simone.
The film, if actually made, will focus on the singer’s relationship with Paris-based manager, Clifton Henderson, who will be played by David Oyelowo.
Hmm, Zoe Saldana as Nina Simone?! Whatchhoo think?
And they expect this scrawny rat to do what? At least get somebody that would REMIND me of Nina!! this is a terrible choice, I’m saving my popcorn money.
Whose dumb ass idea is this. The perfect choice would have India Arie she also has a great voice. Thats as bad as the choice to play Teddy Pendergrass. Everyone knows it should be Jaheim.
Now India Arie is the BEST choice to play someone as ‘conscious’ as Nina Simone…plus she can sing and compose. I think she could really capture the essence of NS.
Yeah…India Arie has the resemblence and the voice, but can she act?
Why is everyone hating on Zoe? Because she is Dominican? Mary is great at delivering great songs but can’t act and we all know it.
no hate on Zoe, as long as she’s got the the correct papers to be in this country, she’s cool with me, but she isn’t right in no-way-shape-or-form for this part . . .musbedherb, I hope it’s not true as well.
She’s an AWFUL choice and everyone knows it. Jennifer Holiday would have even been a better choice, but Zoe…naw!
I refuse to believe this is true. Just refuse.
Mary was already a god awful choice but Zoe? They might as well place this project on the rocks
I’m not hatin’ on Zoey. I like her , but not for the part of Nina Simone. She doesn’t sing and why bother lip syching. I agree with everyone that it should be India.Arie. She should’ve been first choice over Mary and that part about Zoe being dominican. She’s BLACK DOMINICAN. Zoey looks more black than latina.
Remember how latinos didn’t want Whoopi Goldberg playing Celia Cruz even though their phenotype is very similar?
Yeah buuuuut?, “she” doesn’t “claim” to BE “Black” at aaaaaaall! She only “passes” when the shyt is beneficial for….her. She’ll show up a the “Soul Train Awards” for a damn “photo op”?, but thaaaaat’s about it! And….she’s a “dark” Dominican! She’s not “mixed with” etc…. So….since this is a story about an African American?, “I” feel they should find a “sista” to portray this iconic woman! Like….they would NEVVA cast a “light skinned Black” (no matter HOW light!) to play a Latina or a White woman! So….why should “another”, play…..”one of “Us”!? Juuuuuusta thought!
Lastly?, “I” think it should’ve more about “heritage”, rather than…”skin color”. And merely having kinky hair or “dark skin”, doesn’t make you….”Black”. Dare it izz, Liz!
Y’all are too funny lol…..I agree India Arie would’ve been a good choice.
Not a good choice. Hell, I would have rather seen Lauryn Hill or Indie Arid get the part. Even Jill Scott before Zoe. She’s an ok actress but not for this role.
As a huge Nina Simone fan, this is ridiculous! This is gone from bad to worst. They might as well scrap the project.
Are they making a movie or giving a tribute concert? What the hell is wrong with you people? It’s good they are going with a proven actress.
Zoe can never capture the heart and soul of NS!
And you know this how?
I hear there is a petition that has started to have her dismiss as lead actress for the role. If so, ill be signing it. This is ridiculous. Nina was a dark skin woman with circumstances wide hips.
Damn phone, I meant curvy.
Yes, there is one and I did indeed signed the petition at http://www.change.org.
Thanks, Diva…I plan on signing it as well.
India Arie was definitely my first choice, but I could easily see Angie Stone over Zoe.
This a huge mistake. I will not be going to see this movie. There are a lot of very talented black females that can play this part. Zoe is not black, not talented and can she sing? I don’t even know and she doesn’t look anything like Nina. This is just as bad as Halle playing Aretha. People kill me jumping on the black americans band wagon when its convenient for them. I guess this movie will go straight to DVD!
“People kill me jumping on the black americans band wagon when its convenient for them.”
Everything you said dlm. At least Halle had the good sense to bow out of consideration for the Aretha role.
RE: Halle Berry as Aretha…Halle had never even wanted nor expressed interest in playing Halle. It was Aretha herself who released her own ‘wish list” for the cast of her proposed autobiography movie, one that at the time she had no script, director, or financing in place for. Miss Franklin declared she wanted Halle to play her, to the snickers and laughter from any and everyone that heard it. When approached about for comment about whether she wanted to play the possible role, Halle gracefully and diplomatically said she had no interest because she wasn’t a singer and didn’t think she could do the role justice. Aretha took that as an insult, and said that it was fine if Halle didn’t want to play her, and that she would prefer “someone with a little more confidence” in the role anyway. I thought Halle handled the situation with class…Ree Ree however was a bit childish, with a big serving of diva-dom and delusion.
Soopdawg1. She hasn’t proven to play this role and somebody else hit it on the nail. Zoey only jumps on the black bandwagon when it’s convienient for her. Hell I didn’t know she was Afro Cuban. I just thought she was black and she leans more on her latin roots just like Rosario Dawson. Mary just sense for the role. They need to find an unknown talent.
Who has be proven to play this role? Everybody else is naming singers. This is not a tribute conert it’s a movie.
Layla Hathaway could be another good choice…plus she can ‘sang’.
Nina Simone deserves more than just any ol’ medicore actress/singer to play her. Dr. Simone sacrificed alot to the point she was driven out of this country. Today’s talent do not have or had the guts that she and others like her had to criticize the US government’s treatment of blacks back in the day. As for Zoe Saldana, she made it quite clear in an Ebony interview that black actresses are at fault for not getting roles and that she sees no discrimination. That speaks volumes to me as she seems to feel because she get roles (which technically is based on her ‘exotic look’), others delusional about the racism in Hollywood. Not to mention, her acting is nothing to write home about. I don’t care if a latina plays Nina or not, but at least, have actress who looks physically looks like her!
From looking at the photo of Nina featured for this article – I think Estelle may be a good choice in terms of looks, but I don’t know if she can act.
Yes, she could definitely be in the running.
Nice discussion on this link.
blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/zoe-saldana-is-apparently-taking-over-for-mary-j-blige-to-play-nina-simone
Macy Gray!!??
“Coming to my senses”……HAAAAAAYIL. Naaaaaaaw. That voooooooice!!!! I yie yiiiiiiiiiiie!!!!! YIKES!!
Another thing: Didn’t Ms. Saldana state that she was tired of playing ‘Black people’ because she is not ‘Black’? So if that is the case, why did sign on to play Nina Simone? The argument that folks are hating her because she is dominican is incorrect since, if she did make that statement, she does not want to be typecast as a Black actress. Hence, her comments she made to Ebony about dearth of roles for Black actresses.