Cedric The Entertainier spilled the beans back in late January to Blackfilm that Beyonce Knowles would star as Etta James in the Leonard Chess film about the titular Chicago R&B record label “Cadillac Records.”
Back in November of 2007, Matt Dillon was in “final negotiations” to play the record magnate Chess, but the role eventually went to Adrien Brody. Blackfilm also reported that Jeffrey Wright would portray Muddy Waters in the film that would chart the rise and fall of the label and its many famous artists in the 1950.(they also noted that the film would also star Emmanuelle Chriqui, Columbus Short and Tammy Blanchard).
Today the Hollywood Reporter confirmed all this and added a few details including the fact that Cedric the Entertainer will play Willie Dixon and Columbus Short will portray Little Walter. Beyonce will also act as executive producer of the project. Darnell Martin (“Their Eyes Were Watching God”) will write and direct.
Steve Jordan (“Cars,” “The Sopranos”) will produce the music for the film and Knowles will evidently record four songs for the soundtrack being released on Columbia. Variety reported that the film would begin shooting in March.
Chess Records launched the careers of such R&B greats as Muddy Waters, Etta James and Chuck Berry and the film will also “chart the colorful lives of American musical legends like Little Walter, Howlin’ Wolf, and Elvis Presley.”
Hova take note: B is going to start packing away those cheeseburgers quick.
Watch: Etta James & Chuck Berry – “Rock n’ Roll Music”
