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Drake Wants to Play Obama in Biopic

Natalia Buia — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:54:54 +0000

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He’s starred in t.v. series, he’s rapped with just about everyone, he’s made a graphic novel and now he wants to play the president in a biopic.

Although he is not American like Barack Obama, he does look a lot like him. When he was in Utah for the Sundance Film Festival, Drake told reporters he’s eager to play the presidential role.

“I hope somebody makes a movie about Obama’s life soon because I could play him,” he said.

“That’s the goal. I watch all the addresses. Anytime I see him on TV, I don’t change the channel. If you ask anyone who knows me, I’m pretty good at impressions.”

Do you think Drake would make for a good Obama?

Two Biopics on Porn Star Linda Lovelace in the Works

Natalia Buia — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:28:06 +0000

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We’re all aware that there are two competing Snow White films coming out next year: one starring Kristen Stewart and one with the acclaimed Julie Roberts.

It seems like many future movies are coming out in pairs. Two more films will duke it out in theatres next year but you wont find any Disney princesses here.

Yahoo News shares that the two biopics on the life of the famed 70s porn star, Linda Lovelace. She passed away in 2002 at the age of 53 after getting into a serious car crash.

“Inferno: A Linda Lovelace Story” wont star the troubled actress Linday Lohan, as we all thought. Instead, Malin Akerman (The Watchmen) will take the lead. We assume unlike Lindsay, Malin can come to work on time and not appear drugged out. Malin definitely has more potential to become the next big thing in Hollywood. Yahoo News also reports Sharon Stone will play the role of Linda’s mother.

The other biopic is simply titled Lovelace. The Hollywood Reporter says Amanda Seyfried (Mean Girls, Dear John) will play the adult film star most famously known for “Deep Throat”. Amanda Seyfried has that squeaky clean, cookie cutter image with her blonde hair and gentle blue eyes. It would be rather entertaining to see her play such a controversial and sexual woman. Peter Sarsgaard (An Education, Green Lantern) will play her husband, Chuck Traynor.

Both movies look promising based solely on the actresses playing the lead. I personally may not be able to handle both movies, so whichever one hits theatres first may be the one to see. Looking forward to seeing the trailers.

Lady Gaga To Play Amy Winehouse?

andPOP Staff — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 20:16:33 +0000

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Lady Gaga idolized Amy Winehouse and a source now claims Gaga is thinking about playing Winehouse in an upcoming biopic.

UK’s Daily Star reports a source close to Lady Gaga says “Lady Gaga worshipped Amy and would love nothing more than to transform herself into her idol on the big screen. She’d be spot on performing Amy’s songs and has got the right look and bolshy attitude.”

The source added: “Gaga’s management team had been discussing possible film ventures before Amy’s untimely death. But there’s only ever been one role she wants and that’s to play Amy.”

Gaga is a serious Winehouse fan. Right after her death, Gaga tweeted ”I am just so devastated and so sad. I really could not speak for 48 hours straight; I was in such shock. She was the most lovely and nice and kind woman.”

‘The Rock’ To Play Country Legend

Christian Allaire — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 16:25:24 +0000

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Well this is certainly a different role for him.

The Rock, otherwise known as Dwayne Johnson, is preparing to produce and star in biopic of black country music star Charley Pride, reports Variety.

The former wrestler will produce alongside Dany Garcia, Idol judge Randy Jackson and Pride’s manager John Daines. The film is in association with Sony ATV Music Publishing.

Pride is a Country Music Hall of Famer, has charted more than three dozen No. 1 singles, and has sold more than 70 million records.

The Rock is currently starring in Universal’s “Fast Five,” which opens this weekend, and is starring in New Line’s “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.” He hasn’t ever really done a serious, dramatic role, so this will be a first for him.

I’m a little skeptical about this. I’ve never seen him in this kind of role, so I can’t judge if he will be able to pull it off or not. This kind of role can either be a career-changer or career-ender, so let’s hope its the first. Prove us wrong, Rock.

Glenn Close NOT Signed on for Susan Boyle Biopic!

Megan MacKay — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 08:20:12 +0000

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Perez Hilton is reporting that contrary to what British papers have been reporting all weekend, Glenn Close is definitely not working on a Susan Boyle Biopic.

Why? Because no such movie is in the works!!

Close’s reps were a little slow to jump on the denial train but they eventually got there, claiming that the whole thing is “complete rubbish.”

Thank God! Both of the ladies are very talented individuals but that sounds like the most boring movie ever not shot. Maybe next time, SuBo!

Malin Akerman Replaces Lindsay Lohan in Linda Lovelace Biopic

andPOP Staff — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 22:06:40 +0000

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Poor Lindsay Lohan. Now more than ever she needs the work, but unfortunately she has lost her latest gig playing Linda Lovelace in her biopic.

Deadline Hollywood confirms that Lohan has been replaced by Malin Akerman. Ontario native Akerman is best known for her roles in “Watchmen” and “The Heartbreak Kid.”

Still no word about why Lindsay is no longer involved with the film. Some people are saying she quit, others are saying she was fired.

Nevertheless Akerman is a hot girl who will do well in the film. Do you agree?

The One to Play Kurt Cobain Is…

Sam Rashid — Tue, 18 May 2010 12:46:43 +0000

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Last month, an announcement was made that a Kurt Cobain biopic was to be filmed, and according to CHARTattack, this has resulted in a flood of suggestions as to who should play the late front man of the legendary grunge group, Nirvana.

Cobain committed suicide in April of 1994.

Jake Gyllenhaal (Brokeback Mountain, Donnie Darko) is the most recent actor to be added to the list of possible “Cobains.” Jokingly, it was pointed out that since he’s got long hair now, for his new role in Prince of Persia, he could fit the role.

“I don’t know if I’d be the right choice – but the hair from Prince Of Persia could translate somehow,” Gyllenhaal told NME. “We could just bleach it!”

The rumours last month were that Robert Pattinson (Twilight) would play Cobain, but Courtney Love, Cobain’s widow, squashed those hopes. Love said that she would rather see Ryan Gosling (The Believer) or James McAvoy (Atonement) play the role.

Gosling has got great acting skills and has proven himself to be able to pull off a wide variety of roles.

Although McAvoy is only just beginning to gain recognition on this side of the pond, he is also great. He’s won BAFTA (British Academy Of Film And Television Arts) Awards … meaning he is good.

There is also Heath Ledger. But seeing as he is dead, this is not going to happen. But he would have been fantastic as Cobain. He was deep, dark, and a little troubled in his own right. He also displayed top quality acting chops, and while he was alive, Ledger could pretty much take on any role thrown at him.

And why not Emma Watson? Cate Blanchett played Bob Dylan and got nominated for an Academy Award. There is no reason why Hermione Grainger can’t turn into the grunge rocker. And she could also bring a whole new audience to appreciate Cobain.

From here, the list goes on and on. But it’s all in the hands of Courtney Love now, more or less. Hopefully this turns out OK.

Robert Pattinson Is Playing Kurt Cobain in Biopic?

andPOP Staff — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 14:06:14 +0000

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Nirvana fans are either going to love this or hate this (there is no in between). The Sun is reporting that Robert Pattinson has landed the role of the Kurt Cobain biopic.

Kurt Cobain’s widow, Courtney Love, will have a large role in the production and casting of Pattinson is a key condition of her deal.

A source also tells the newspaper that Love wants Scarlett Johansson to play herself. “She is adamant Scarlett will play her,” the source tells The Sun.

Love is also reportedly speaking with director David Fincher (‘Fight Club’) to direct the biopic, which has the working title ‘All Apologies.’

Kurt Cobain Biopic in the Works

Sara Harowitz — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:35:01 +0000

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It seems that biopic is the new black, as yet another film about an iconic musician is in the works.

Universal Pictures is moving forward with their long-time-running Kurt Cobain biography film, reports rollingstone.com. The film is based partly on the 2001 book Heavier than Heaven by music journalist Charles R. Cross. The studio is reportedly in negotiations with Oscar-nominated director Oren Moverman (The Messenger) to direct the film and work on its screenplay. Moverman would replace original screenwriter David Benioff, whose previous films include X-Men Origins: Wolverine and The Kite Runner.

Cross, who is part of the movie production as a “factual consultant,” is looking forward to Moverman’s involvement.

“It’s not like he wrote The Hangover,” he told Rolling Stone. “He’s worked on some serious projects, like the Dylan biopic I’m Not There, so that’s probably a good thing when it comes to doing a movie on Cobain’s life.”

Cross said that despite the fact that Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl have argued over the band’s publishing rights with Cobain’s widow Courtney Love, Universal Pictures has secured the rights to use Nirvana music in the movie.

“Everything I know is that the people at Universal have everything tied up, so whoever gets cast as Cobain will be able to sing these songs in the movie,” he said.

No Nirvana songs were featured in the film About a Son, which told Cobain’s story in his own words.

This news of the film’s progression comes just days before what would have been Cobain’s 43rd birthday; he was born Feb. 20, 1967.

Movie Review: The Young Victoria

Ilan Mester — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:59:02 +0000

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Emily Blunt rules literally and figuratively in “The Young Victoria.” After all, the main reason to see this biopic is due to the actress’ vibrant performance – a far stretch from the Victoria we’re used to reading about in text books.

Do a simple Google search and you’ll find tons of portraits of a frowning, stern-looking Queen Victoria dressed in a black lace widow’s outfit. “The Young Victoria” shows her in a completely different light. Instead, it opens with her growing up as an over-protected child, leading to her receiving the crown as a teenager.

This focus on her early years as queen is really refreshing but ultimately, it’s Blunt’s playful performance that makes this movie engaging. As a teen, Victoria doesn’t quite understand why she wants to be queen. But she knows from birth that she will carry this “royal burden.” When King William IV (Jim Broadbent) dies, Victoria suddenly realizes what she — or rather her family –have gotten her into.

Instead of the costume melodrama that 19th century biopics usually consist of, “The Young Victoria” features more of the political side of Victoria’s early reign. But of course, there had to be a love story in the midst of that and rest assured it’s front and centre (but only at certain points).

Rupert Friend plays Prince Albert, Victoria’s cousin whom she eventually falls in love with. The catch is that at first, Albert is what you could call an undercover agent for the king of Belgium, a man he calls uncle.

In the beginning, Victoria is trusting of nearly everyone, including the affable Lord Melbourne (Paul Bettany) who becomes her advisor. However, after marrying Albert, Victoria loses most of that trust in those who surround her and as the film progresses, she tries to figure out a balance between independence and manipulation.

French-Canadian director Jean-Marc Vallée (C.R.A.Z.Y.) offers an interesting idea of how even a castle can act as a prison — that’s how Victoria feels at certain points. However, the movie’s main downfall is its pace. When the pace is fast it moves at lightning speed. But when it’s slow, the film just drags on – there’s no happy medium. And unfortunately, even with the focus lying on her tumultuous early years, “The Young Victoria” manages to be somewhat relatable but not that memorable.

Movie Review: Coco Avant Chanel

Ilan Mester — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 02:53:48 +0000

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At the end of the day, “Coco Avant Chanel” doesn’t do justice to one of the world’s most iconic fashion figures. It leaves you wanting to see more of the avant (before) and the après (after) of Chanel’s rise to fame.

As suggested by the title, the film focuses on Coco’s early years, before she hit it big in the global fashion scene. We first meet her as an orphaned girl, with no sight of the glamour and celebrity endorsements that are associated with today’s Chanel brand. The movie then fast-forwards to a twenty-something Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel (played by “Amelie’s” Audrey Tautou) who’s involved in a French cabaret act with her sister (Marie Gillain). She dreams of becoming the next theatre starlet of Paris, but that dream slowly slips from her hands.

One older, wealthy man (Etienne Balsan played by Benoît Poelvoorde), promises to try and get her an audition and while she doesn’t make the cut, Gabrielle continues a brief fling with him. She comes off as opportunistic when she arrives at Etienne’s mansion unannounced and stays there as she decides what to do with her life.

Is designing for women in theatre enough to satisfy her dream of becoming one? Well that answer we already know, but most people don’t know how she got to that level and that’s what this film is about.

Don’t be fooled, “Coco Avant Chanel” isn’t a biopic. It focuses more on a snapshot of Chanel’s life instead of sticking strictly to her unique sense of style and design, making the film enjoyable for everyone as opposed to just fashion lovers.

The idea that a once mistress with nowhere to drop dead became one of fashion’s household names is truly astounding. The movie will definitely make you feel for Coco’s harsh upbringing but not necessarily with her character in the film. As usual, Tautou delivers a strong performance, but her Coco comes off as stern and at times narcissistic.

It’s clear that director Anne Fontaine was more interested in Coco’s youth and while her story is engaging, it would have been nice to see more of Coco the designer. In honesty, this film isn’t bad. With France as its backdrop, the movie is visually attractive and at times stunning. But for an unconventional woman who revolutionized the industry and proved she could make it despite all odds, it sure is conventional.

John Lennon Biopic Packed With More Stars Than Just a Beatle

Emma Renda — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:33:49 +0000

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For a generation of people who missed out on the 1960s and the advent of rock’n'roll, we sure are getting to be well-versed. Yet another biopic is slated for release this October, this time in the name of John Lennon.

Nowhere Boy is based on the book Imagine This: Growing Up with my Brother John Lennon by Lennon’s half sister Julia Baird, according to Pitchfork. The screenplay was written by Matt Greenhalgh, author of the Joy Division film Control. The film will focus more on Baird’s experience growing up with the rising star, perhaps offering a unique insight into what transformed Lennon into one of the most idyllic artists of our time.

On board to direct in his feature film debut is Sam Taylor Wood, whose repertoire includes the BAFTA-nominated punk short Love You More.

The cast includes Kristin Scott Thomas, (The English Patient and Four Weddings and a Funeral), will play Lennon’s aunt, who raised Lennon, as well as Anne Marie Duff (Shameless, also James McAvoy’s wife) and Aaron Johnson (who plays the heartthrob in Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging).

The obvious next question: What about the soundtrack? So far, Goldfrapp has been enlisted to compose the score and will record it at Abbey Road Studios. The film will close the London Film Festival in late October.

Anne Hathaway To Play Judy Garland

Eva Lam — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:40:26 +0000

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Anne Hathaway is set to channel Judy Garland in both a film and a stage production about the Hollywood icon.

Producer Harvey Weinstein announced Monday he has tapped the Oscar-nominated actress to star in the two projects, which will be based on the 2000 biography “Get Happy: The Life of Judy Garland.”

“I have worked with Anne on projects in the past and have known her for many years,” Weinstein told WENN. “She will be a true class act in this challenging role.

“Gerald Clarke’s biography is a fascinating and comprehensive look at Garland’s life and is particularly outstanding because of its exclusive details from her own writings,” he added.

Garland got her start in vaudeville as a child but shot to fame with her starring role in 1939′s “Wizard of Oz,” later receiving Oscar nominations for “A Star is Born” and “Judgment at Nuremberg.” She was also a renowned concert performer, winning multiple Grammys in 1962 for “Judy at Cargenie Hall.”

The star battled personal problems throughout her life, including drug addiction and four failed marriages. She died of an accidental drug overdose in 1969 at the age of 47.

The 26-year-old Hathaway showed off her song-and-dance abilities at last month’s Oscars during an opening skit with host Hugh Jackman. She was also a best actress nominee this year for her role as a recovering drug addict in “Rachel Getting Married.”

Her previous movie credits include “The Princess Diaries” and “The Devil Wears Prada.”

Mike Tyson Plans Own Biopic, Casts Jamie Foxx

andPOP Staff — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 11:30:47 +0000

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The World Entertainment News Network reports that Mike Tyson is planning to produce a biopic about his life, and has already hand-picked Jamie Foxx for the part.

The two-time boxing heavyweight champion has certainly experienced enough drama in the last two decades to make the film interesting. He was convicted of raping a beauty pageant contestant in 1992, bit off part of Evander Holyfield’s ear in 1997, declared bankruptcy in 2003, and was jailed last year for a DUI and possession of cocaine.

Of his struggles with substance abuse, Tyson said that he is now clean. “Even when I was training for a fight, there were no drugs, but I would drink. I had never been clean and sober my whole life. This is the first time. I’m tired of losing. I lost the trust of my family, my five kids. I didn’t like that way of life and decided to change. I saw the devil and didn’t want that.”

Bhutto Biopic Already in the Works

andPOP Staff — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 05:39:00 +0000

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Benazir Bhutto was assassinated just one week ago, but steps are already in motion to immortalize her forever in film.

According to HollywoodReporter.com, Pakistani writer Aqeel Ahmad Ruby is already writing the script, and the biopic will be helmed by Indian filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt. Skies Unlimited Films are in charge of the project, which is in pre-production. Producer Angela Kahn commented that the company will soon announce the film’s director.

The decision of who will play the lead role will have to wait, however, as the producers aren’t sure what they’re looking for. “It could be someone famous or a completely new face,” Khan said. “There are possibilities that some of the scenes would be shot in India, but we are not sure.”