The Official WHITNEY HOUSTON Mega-thread!!!

[SexyKev]

Jordin Sparks - Confirmed

 

[SexyKev]

Mike Epps - Confirmed

 

[SexyKev]

Derek Luke - Confirmed

 

[SexyKev]

I wonder who's gonna be cast as 'Sista'? And the other sister, 'Delores'? Ooh can't wait.

 

[SexyKev]

r mike epps and omar epps related?

No, one article mistakenly said Omar Epps. They had the wrong Epp...lol

 

[SexyKev]

http://youtu.be/Q_8SguJTgHA
i luv this performance by whitney that i found on youtube. it's probably already been posted here, but her voice sounds so good, and she luks so young, she had to have been 20 or 21.

Her first televised performance. Pure elegance and grace! Beautiful.

 

[SexyKev]

Breaking: Derek Luke Cast In Sparkle Remake

Posted by wilsonmorales on Sep 21, 2011

Breaking News: Derek Luke Cast In Sparkle Remake

by Wilson Morales​

Blackfilm.com has exclusively learned that Derek Luke, who was last seen as Gabe Jones of The Howling Commandos in Marvel’s ‘Captain America: The First Avenger,’ has been cast in the remake of the 1976 music-themed pic “Sparkle,” joining R&B American Idol-winner Jordin Sparks, Mike Epps, and Whitney Houston.

In speaking with producer Debra Martin Chase, the Chicago native mentioned that Luke will play the role of Stix, who was portrayed by Philip Michael Thomas in the original.

The story follows three sisters who begin singing in their church choir in Harlem in the late 1950s and go on to become a successful girl group. Their sudden rise unravels their personal lives. The remake will be set in 1968 Detroit during the rise of Motown. Story will focus on the youngest sister, a music prodigy named Sparkle (Sparks), and her struggle to become a star while overcoming issues that are tearing her family apart.

Salim Akil (‘Jumping The Broom‘) will be directing the film from a script by Mara Brock Akil. TriStar Pictures will distribute the film in association with Stage 6 Films. Production is scheduled to start next month.

Luke was recently seen opposite Jada Pinkett Smith in the now-cancelled TNT series ‘Hawthorne.’

The ‘Captain America: The First Avengers‘ Blu-ray and DVD will hitting stores on October 25th.

http://www.blackfilm.com/read/2011/09/derek-luke-cast-in-sparkle-remake/

 

[SexyKev]

I just heard about this, excited to see Ms. Houston on the big screen again, and hopefully on a soundtrack

It's rumored that she will be doing the soundtrack as well. Even BK said she will.

...let's keep our fingers crossed!!

 

[SexyKev]

Filming for the movie is set to begin on October 10th! Just a little over two weeks away.

From Twitter....

JordinSparks Jordin Sparks
First change for movie: dye my hair back to dark brown. And I was LOVING my ombre hair! Darn. But I'll do what I must!

JordinSparks Jordin Sparks
I'm gonna be in a movie with Whitney Houston. I can die happy.

JordinSparks Jordin Sparks
Just had a moment of pure excitement. #SPARKLE

Getting fit for her role...

Lookin' good, girl.

 

[SexyKev]

Inside Detroit’s Mildred Gaddis, Sparkle remake Discussion

Posted on 09.20.11

Inside Detroit’s Mildred Gaddis, Detroit’s Queen of Talk Radio (WCHB 1200 AM) and her show’s entertainment Hot Happenings reporter, Greg Dunmore of pulsebeat.tv and jazzjewels.tv discuss the upcoming remake of movie classic “Sparkle”, and Whitney Houston!!!

http://jazzjewels.tv/enter/?p=375

^ Great video interview! Wonderful words from Greg on Whitney Houston. Greg really seems to respect Whitney Houston and appreciates her as a living legend and as "the last of the true greats", no matter what she has endured in her personal life/past ups and downs. Good stuff! Give it a watch, Whitney fans.

 

[Taurean79]

Sooo excited!! Still can't believe we get to see Whitney back on the big screen and get to go to the theaters and support a Whitney movie again. ALL of her films are #Classics!


@JordinSparks Jordin Sparks
@_iamtrae The original movie will be different from the one Im doing. But you should watch it anyway.


_iamtrae trae is amazing.
@jordinsparks on a serious note, i need you to touch every part of Derek Luke's bahdeeeee, while filming Sparkle. k?
8 hours ago


JordinSparks Jordin Sparks
@_iamtrae Too bad you couldnt have been in the room when we had to read one of our scenes.
8 hours ago

 

[EvilTwinTwo]

SexyKevTaurean79,

I can't believe you're still up to your old tricks. Posting like crazy at the bottom of the page to just to get to the top of the next. And posting two or three more times in case those BS post get deleted. You are too funny.

And what's with all this rehashing from the CW board?

 

[SexyKev]

SexyKevTaurean79,

I can't believe you're still up to your old tricks. Posting like crazy at the bottom of the page to just to get to the top of the next. And posting two or three more times in case those BS post get deleted. You are too funny.

And what's with all this rehashing from the CW board?

U still mad, gurl? U stay mad. After all these years. Does what I do really bother you/concern you that much? Clearly. I keep your feathers ruffled. You're so dependent on me, chile. STILL. I am everything to you, clearly. And what I do is everything to you as well...CLEARLY.

Obsessed.

 

[SexyKev]

More of the cast has just been revealed! R.Kelly doing the soundtrack! Yesssss.

Cee-Lo Green joins 'Sparkle' cast

Ejogo, Sumpte, Hardwick aboard, too; R. Kelly to write music

By Jeff Sneider

Green

Ejogo

Sumpter

Kelly

Hardwick

"Sparkle" director Salim Akil has already cast Whitney Houston in Sony's music-themed drama, and now another Grammy winner has enlisted in the ensemble, as Cee-Lo Green has joined the cast along with Carmen Ejogo, Tika Sumpter and Omari Hardwick.

Additionally, R&B artist R. Kelly has signed on to write original music for the soundtrack.

Pic is a remake of the 1976 film that centered on the three Williams sisters, who began singing in their church choir in Harlem in the late 1950s and went on to become a successful girl group, though their sudden rise took a toll on their personal lives. Remake takes place in 1968 Detroit during the rise of Motown.

"American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks stars as the title character, a music prodigy who struggles to become a star as she overcomes issues that are tearing her family apart.

Ejogo and Sumpter will play Sparks' siblings, Sister and Dolores, respectively, while Houston plays the trio's mother. Green will play a singer who serves as the girls' opening act.

Pic also stars Derek Luke as Stix, an aspiring Motown manager who discovers the sisters and eventually falls for Sparkle. Hardwick will play his cousin, Levi, who falls for Ejogo's character but turns to a life of crime after she's stolen from him by Detroit comic Satin Struthers, who will be played by Mike Epps.

Akil is directing from a script by Mara Brock Akil. Duo are also producing along with Debra Martin Chase, TD Jakes and Curtis Wallace. Houston is exec producing with Howard Rosenman and Gaylyn Fraiche. Production starts Oct. 10 in Detroit.

WME-repped Green, who's currently a vocal coach on NBC's "The Voice," will voice the role of Murray the Mummy in Sony Pictures Animation's "Hotel Transylvania."

Ejogo, who starred on the CBS series "Chaos," will soon be seen as Tyler Perry's wife in "I, Alex Cross." She is repped by IFA Talent Agency.

Sumpter, best known for her roles on ABC's "One Life to Live" and the CW's "Gossip Girl," will next be seen in 20th Century Fox's comedy "What's Your Number?" She is repped by Cunningham Escott Slevin & Dougherty.

Hardwick, who previously appeared in "The A-Team" and "Kick-Ass," recently wrapped Dan Pritzker's "Bolden!" He's repped by Greene & Associates Talent Agency and Medavoy Management.

Contact Jeff Sneider at jeff.sneider@variety.com

 

[Taurean79]

I don't know of any of these new cast members listed, but I trust they are decent to good actors and who knows maybe that'll be a good thing that they are not well known and this movie just might be a breakout for them and get them more exposure!!

http://michiganacting.com/acting/auditions-casting-calls/1960s-aretha-franklin-casting

Casting 1960’s Aretha Franklin Look-a-Like for “Sparkle” Movie

Casting Actress for Feature Film

“Sparkle” will be filming for 6 weeks in Detroit, Michigan and WSA/Ryan Hill are looking to cast look-a-likes for 1960’s Aretha Franklin for this feature film.

Available Roles:

1960’s Aretha Franklin look-a-like, age 18+

http://michiganacting.com/acting/auditions-casting-calls/1960s-smothers-brothers-casting

Casting 1960’s Smothers Brothers Look-a-Likes for “Sparkle” Movie

Casting Call for Actors

“Sparkle” will be filming for 6 weeks in Detroit, Michigan and WSA/Ryan Hill are looking to cast look-a-likes for 1960’s Smothers Brothers for this feature film.

Available Roles:

1960’s Smothers Brothers look-a-likes, age 18+

 

[SexyKev]

Meet the full cast of 'Sparkle'! Side by side..

‘SPARKLE’: OMARI HARDWICK, TIKA SUMPTER, CARMEN EJOGO, AND CEE LO GREEN JOIN CAST

POSTED ON 24 SEPTEMBER 2011

A lot of recent casting announcements have been made from director Salim Akil‘s team for the forthcoming Sparkle remake. We’ve finally learned who will play each member of the tragic girl group and their suitors.

Based on Sam O’Steen‘s 1976 film, the remake focuses on three siblings who form a successful singing group in 1960s Detroit, which inevitably falls apart due to their individual personal problems and family drama.

Jordin Sparks plays Sparkle, Carmen Ejogo will play Sister, and Tika Sumpter will assume the role of Dolores.

Derek Luke plays Stix, the girls’ manager and songwriter. He’s aslo Sparkle’s love interest. Omari Hardwick was just announced to play Levi, the love interest of Sister (Ejogo) and the cousin of Stix (Luke). Hardwick’s character turns to a life of crime after Sister becomes involved with Detroit comic Satin Sruthers, played by Mike Epps.

The pic also stars Whitney Houston as the girls’ mother, and Cee-Lo Green as the opening act for the trio.

R. Kelly has signed on to write original music for the film and soundtrack.

Production begins October in Detroit. Open casting calls for extras will also be held in Detroit on Monday (Sept 26).

http://blackactors.net/2011/09/meet-the-cast-of-sparkle/

 

[Taurean79]

Whitney going to be singing some gospel in the movie!! Yeeeeaaahh boyeeee.

http://www.showbiz411.com/2011/09/2...-sparkle-whitney-houston-to-sing-gospel-songs

CeeLo, Derek Luke Join “Sparkle,” Whitney Houston to Sing Gospel Songs

09/26/11 5:53pm by Roger Friedman

Exclusive: The remake of “Sparkle” is on the road to starting next month. Whitney Houston, already announced, will play Jordin Sparks‘s mother. In this version, Whitney’s character will not be a maid but a former R&B star who’s gone back to the church. I am told that Whitney will sing two gospel songs in the film.

The rest of the soundtrack is divided between the original Curtis Mayfield songs and four new songs from R. Kelly. Added to the cast: pop star Cee Lo Green, and actor Derek Luke. Debra Martin Chase and Howard Rosenman are producing, Salim Akil is directing from a script by his wife, Mara Brock Akil. “Sparkle” will be released by TriStar/Sony in 2012 or 2013 at the latest, not 2014 as stated in the imdb.

And what about Whitney? My source say she’s in great shape, and never looked better.

 

[SexyKev]

Whitney going to be singing some gospel in the movie!! Yeeeeaaahh boyeeee.

http://www.showbiz411.com/2011/09/2...-sparkle-whitney-houston-to-sing-gospel-songs

CeeLo, Derek Luke Join “Sparkle,” Whitney Houston to Sing Gospel Songs

09/26/11 5:53pm by Roger Friedman

Exclusive: The remake of “Sparkle” is on the road to starting next month. Whitney Houston, already announced, will play Jordin Sparks‘s mother. In this version, Whitney’s character will not be a maid but a former R&B star who’s gone back to the church. I am told that Whitney will sing two gospel songs in the film.

The rest of the soundtrack is divided between the original Curtis Mayfield songs and four new songs from R. Kelly. Added to the cast: pop star Cee Lo Green, and actor Derek Luke. Debra Martin Chase and Howard Rosenman are producing, Salim Akil is directing from a script by his wife, Mara Brock Akil. “Sparkle” will be released by TriStar/Sony in 2012 or 2013 at the latest, not 2014 as stated in the imdb.

And what about Whitney? My source say she’s in great shape, and never looked better.

Friedman is such a Whitney stan. Hahaa

.....Yessssss! BRING IT, Whit!

 

[SexyKev]

Sparkle and her sisters rehearsing!

@iamtikasumpter Tika sumpter
My sisters @JordinSparks an Carmen Ejogo! We're ready to rehearse! http://t.co/567mGMSD
2 hours ago via Twitter for iPhone

 

[SexyKev]

Rewriting “Sparkle” - Whitney Houston’s “Effie” Will Not Be A Maid

The remake of “Sparkle” is on the road to starting next month. Whitney Houston, already announced, will play Jordin Sparks‘s mother. In this version, Whitney’s character will not be a maid but a former R&B star who’s gone back to the church. I am told that Whitney will sing two gospel songs in the film.

Words from Roger Friedman at Showbiz411.com on the Sparkle remake, being developed by Salim Akil and Mara Brock Akil, which already has Jordin Sparks, Whitney Houston, Mike Epps, Derek Luke, Carmen Ejogo, Tika Sumpter, and Cee Lo Green in its cast, with rumors that Michael K. Williams will also feature.

Mary Alice played the role of “Effie,” the mother of the sisters, in the original 1976 film.

Curious what influenced the Akil’s decision to change her occupation…

http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowan...le_-_whitney_houstons_effie_will_not_be_maid/