Source: Shadow and Act

From the looks of things, i.e. set photos, it appears the Nina Simone biopic is going forward with Zoe Saldana playing the lead part. Shadow and Act published a couple of photos they obtained from the set of the new film and what we see so far is pretty interesting.

As the site notes, no one is sure during which stage of the makeup process these candids were captured, but they do reveal some telling bits of the actress’s transformation. On the positive side, Zoe will be donning the afro which Nina was so fond of in the flick and it also appears teeth and a nose fashioned after the multi-faceted singer’s have been created for the actress as well. What remains to be seen is whether Zoe’s skin, which has been the major point of contention for her choice as the lead, will be darkened. I imagine if the artists have taken these other elements of Nina into consideration, they won’t neglect that detail, and it looks as though there is some darkening around Zoe’s neck in these pics. But you never know.

Source: Shadow and Act

Makeup job aside, in addition to details that Mike Epps is joining the cast as Richard Pryor. It’s also been announced that David Oyelowo has been cast as Nina’s manager, Clifton Henderson, whom according to the NY Times will be portrayed as having some sort of romantic relationship with her — much to the singer’s daughter, Simone Kelly’s, disappointment. So yes, more creative licensing to come.

But for now let’s just stick with what we see before us. What do you think of Zoe’s Nina Simone look so far?

Lee Daniels has another attention-grabbing project on his hands. The “Precious” Director is currently working on bringing the story of Eugene Allen, a black man who worked as a butler in the White House, serving eight presidents from 1952 to 1986, to the big screen in “The Butler,” and he’s got an all-star cast lined up.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Forest Whitaker is currently in talks to play the film’s title character, while Oprah mulls over the possibility of playing the butler’s wife. As for the presidents, John Cusack has been offered the role of Richard Nixon, and Liam Neeson and Hugh Jackman’s names are also in the mix, although it hasn’t been said who they may portray. Mila Kunis has also reportedly been offered the part of Jackie Kennedy. David Oyelowo, who was initially thought to be wanted for the title role, is said to possibly play the butler’s son now.

The film will be based on a series of articles written on Eugene by Wil Haygood. Eugene started at the White House as a “pantry man” in 1952, when blacks weren’t even allowed to use public restrooms in his native of Virginia. Still, he ended up serving eight presidents and observed a number of monumental political and racial moments in history from a unique position inside the home from the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement to the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy, and Robert Kennedy.

Independent financing for the film hasn’t even been fully secured yet but the big names surrounding the cast and the story itself already have people talking about the potential for “The Butler” to become an award-winning film. For some though, the attention feels like deja vu with “The Help” all over again.

What do you think about this project? Is this a story that needs to be told?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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After all the stories, conversations, arguments and commentaries over the film Red Tails, it finally came out last Friday. Hurray! There are a few reasons why you should check out the film if you haven’t already. Not only is it a great opportunity to learn more about our history through the big screen (which we don’t get to see often) and to appreciate the efforts and heroism of the Tuskegee Airmen; but it’s also a nice chance to see a cast full of HOT eye candy. Like, smoking. It was almost distracting at a point. But not the usual suspects (Cuba, Terrence and Method Man). These six men are another amazing reason to go check out Red Tails if you haven’t already. Or see it again. Don’t believe me? Flip on through!

There’s nothing like handsome black men to celebrate black love and Ebony knows that. Gracing the cover of their February issue are Nate Parker, Terrence Howard, David Oyelowo, and Cuba Gooding, Jr, the cast of George Lucas’ upcoming movie, “The Red Tails,” which tells the story of the heroic Tuskegee airmen.

Inside, they also have the leading men’s cast mates, Elijah Kelley, Ne-Yo, Tristan Wilds, Michael B. Jordan, Method Man, and Leslie Odom, Jr.

The story of the the first African American pilots to fly in a combat squadron during World War II is one that definitely needed to be told on the big screen and it’s great to see such as strong cast of black men working in Hollywood.

Check out a trailer for Red Tails below. Do you plan to see this movie when it’s released Jan. 20?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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