Ray Charles, Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X and Tina Turner all have great biopics, but there are many more film biographies of great black public figures that have yet to be made. Aretha Franklin says she wants Halle Berry to play her. (She’s the Queen of Soul, she can say whatever she wants.) Check out our picks for who should play which roles in these (surely) upcoming biopics.
Use the comments to tell us your suggestions for movies and actors to play the lead roles!
1. Tracee Ellis Ross as Diana Ross
Ms. Ross is so official. Her 1983 Central Park concert (with the big storm) is the stuff of legend. Plus, nobody does the hair, the furs and the a-tti-tude like Ms. Ross. Her actress daughter Tracee Ellis Ross (“Girlfriends”) just might be the perfect person to play her. It’ll be weird when she has to give birth to herself, but whatever. Before you say it, no “Dream Girls” does not count as her biopic.
2. Chiwetel Ejiofor as Fela Kuti
The late Nigerian musician and political activist Fela is the inspiration behind a self-titled and extremely successful Broadway musical. A biopic is in the works starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, a very talented and capable Nigerian British actor. Great casting choice! We can’t even think of a better person for this role.
3. Will Smith and Kimberly Elise as Barack and Michelle Obama
President Obama has a memoir and a zillion stump speeches that testify to his unique upbringing. His story is sure to become a movie at some point and Will Smith is the obvious choice. He has the charisma and the ears. Kerry Washington is a close second for playing Michelle Obama, but Kimberly Elise seems to be the best fit.
4. Dennis Haysbert and Regina King as Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee
Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee are the epitome of triumphant black love, in Hollywood no less! Right up until his death, they remained eachother’s biggest supporters. How wonderful it would be to have a real life black romance immorialized on screen. Dennis Haysbert (“24,” all those damn insurance commercials) has the voice and presence for Ossie Davis and Regina King (“Poetic Justice,” “Southland” ) has the acting ability to embody Ruby Dee’s multi-faceted persona.
5. Taraji P. Henson as Zora Neale Hurston
You were taken in by the movie adaptation of Hurston’s “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” but have you read her autobiography “Dust Tracks On A Road?” She had a crazy life that would make a very engaging movie. Taraji has the finesse and acting chops to do Ms. Hurston justice.
6. Jennifer Hudson as Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston can (could?) blow. She has a very specific sound. Even singers out right now who can actually sing (Jasmine Sullivan, Marsha Ambrosius, etc) do not sound like Ms. Houston. Jennifer Hudson doesn’t really sound like her either, but she can blow and she has an Academy Award adorning her mantle.
7. Probably Like Four People as Michael Jackson
Our beloved MJ! Nobody can replace MJ. Nobody has the high level of talent and creativity he possessed. The best we can hope for is a good imitation as far as a big screen adaptation of his life. The ultimate mash up would be someone with the acting ability of Jeffrey Wright, the dance moves of Chris Brown, the creativity and forward thinking of Missy Elliot and the singing ability of…well, Michael Jackson. It would probably have to be some super talented unknown person to tackle this role.
8. Usher as Sammy Davis Jr.
Since Sammy Davis Jr. died in 1990, his estate has been mired in dissent and lawsuits, which is why you haven’t seen much in the way of tributes, box sets or Broadway shows . When all of those issues are resolved, a proper biopic is in order and who better than Usher? Say what you will about his personal life, he’s a pretty good entertainer who has certainly been influenced by Sammy Davis Jr.
9. Viola Davis as Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey’s hardluck tale of growing up poor, being sexual abused, becoming pregnant as a teen and overcoming all of that to become a billionaire with a media empire, is a well-known story. It must be memorialized and Viola Davis (“Doubt,” “Eat Pray Love”) is the talented, versatile actress who is more than capable of stepping up to the challenge.
10. Omari Hardwick as Tyler Perry
He’s still young and has lots more to accomplish, but Tyler Perry’s story is already big enough to fill up a movie. He went from a homeless man to making movies that regularly make tens of millions of dollars each and then becoming the owner of a high-powered movie production company. Omari Hardwick (“Miracle at St. Anna,” “For Colored Girls”) could totally do this.
