Lebron James In “More Than A Game” - Hit Theaters October 2

Five talented young basketball players from Akron, Ohio star in this remarkable true-life coming of age story about uncommon friendship in the face all too common adversities. Coached by a charismatic but inexperienced player’s father, and led by future NBA superstar LeBron James, the “Fab Five’s” improbable seven-year journey leads them from a decrepit inner-city gym to the doorstep of a national high school championship. Along the way, the close-knit team is repeatedly tested—both on and off the court—as James’ exploding worldwide celebrity threatens to destroy everything they’ve set out to achieve together. MORE THAN A GAME combines a series of unforgettable one-on-one interviews with rare news footage, never-before-seen home videos and personal family photographs to bring this heart-warming and wholly American story to life. Lionsgate and Harvey Mason Media in association with Interscope Records present a Harvey Mason Media Production in association with Galley Boy and Spring Hill Productions a film by Kristopher Belman. MORE THAN A GAME is written by Kristopher Belman & Brad Hogan and directed by Kristopher Belman. The film features LeBron James, Sian Cotton, Dru Joyce III, Willie McGee, Romeo Travis and Coach Dru Joyce II.
“More Than A Game” Trailer w/ “Stronger” by Mary J. Blige

Melvin Van Peebles Introduces New Protege At Book Signing

By News One August 11, 2009 4:09 pm

Emerging multi-talent, Caktuz..?13 & legendary father of Black American Film, Melvin Van Peebles (Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song) were spotted together in New York City recently, engaging a store full of eager fans at one of their book signing appearances for the graphic novel adaption to Van Peebles new film Confessions OfA Ex-Doofus-Itchy-Footed Mutha. (Published on Akashic Books www.akashicbooks.com).

The line stretched out the door of the small Revolution Books (146 W 26th st.) Store. Fans of all ages awaited their specialized autographed copy of Van Peebles latest effort in the American graphic novel genre. The room grew quiet as Van Peebles introduced his partner in the book's creation and protege, indie recording artist, Caktuz..?13.

Caktuz..?13, an artist whose list of accomplishments rival most well known artists (art, Music, Fashion, film, etc), illustrated the 60 page story closely with Van Peebles over 6 months. "It was a pleasure, working with Caktuz..?13," says Van Peebles about his new protege'. "It was one of the best experiences I've had. 1st, because the gentleman is talented and 2nd, he tries to get into the mind of the narrator. Very important in communicating ideas back & forth to one another. "

Caktuz..?13, an award wining graphic illustrator, fashion designer, and actor, isn't just making the rounds with Van Peebles. 'Mr. Multi' will be releasing his sophomore project God'z Porno. The EP, a homegrown version of southern hip-hop he calls Carolina Bluez, will be put out through a joint venture with Block Starz Music & his own AMAS Multi-Media label. After working with such artists as Kardinal Offishall & Akon, dead prez, MOP, Bilal, and more, he is regarded by many to be a rising breath of fresh air in today's music. With a cult following of passionate fans, and a successful European tour, completed earlier this year, Caktuz..?13 has plans to head back out this fall to South Africa & Japan.

When asked a question about passing the torch, Van Peebles said, "well he was already well past being an apprentice when I met him. A protege seemed like the next step. He was open to that. If I had to pass the artistic torch I couldn't think of a more capable or enlightened person to pass it to." The elder statesman finished by saying " I am very proud of Caktuz..?13. I think he's gonna be one of the most remarkable multi-talented artists of his time".

Van Peebles' new film has already received rave reviews from magazines such as Variety, and got a standing ovation at the Tribecca Film Festival this past year. Doofus is set to premiere in NYC Aug. 21st at Cinema Village.

Sony OK'd to Produce Michael Jackson Pic

Sony Pictures Entertainment has received court approval to bring Michael Jackson to the big screen in a film based on more than 80 hours of rehearsal and behind-the-scenes footage from the late singer's planned "This Is It" London concert series. The film is set for release on Oct. 30th.

According to the deal, Sony will share revenue with AEG Live, the producer of the canceled concerts, after paying a reported $60 million for the film rights.

The deal was negotiated last month by Sony Pictures and its sibling unit, Sony Music Entertainment, with the Michael Jackson Estate and AEG Live, producer of the late singer's planned London concert series.

Director Kenny Ortega ("High School Musical"), who was directing the concert series, is in negotiations with Sony to produce and direct the movie. "The world will see what our team was so fortunate to experience, which was the full commitment, passion and creativity that Michael put into the project," Ortega said in a statement.

Along with the rehearsal and behind-the-scenes footage, Sony obtained the rights to include some 3-D sequences that were going to be shown on video screens during the "This Is It" concerts. The film will be a career retrospective featuring footage from Jackson’s last rehearsals, as well as interviews with friends and collaborators, according to a statement from AEG.

Jackson, 50, died on June 25 in Los Angeles, just three weeks before the "This Is It" concerts at London's O2 Arena were to begin. The LA coroners' office has said the autopsy on Jackson's body is now complete, however results will not be announced until a police investigation is complete.

Fantasy Casting The Inevitable Michael Jackson Movie

It's absolutely inevitable. Only hours after the King of Pop's unexpected demise, Hollywood's major television networks were scrambling to fill their airwaves with Michael Jackson related programming. Tonight for instance, TV Land is dragging out the old made for TV movie The Jacksons: The American Dream. It's only a matter of time before the movie industry gets in on the act. The Michael Jackson biopic is coming, it's not a question of when, it’s only a question of how badly they'll screw it up.

Will they focus on his earlier life, his brilliance as a musician, his success in spite of an abusive father… while glossing over all the really weird stuff at the end? Whose version of the truth will Hollywood subscribe to? Michael's hazy fantasy of never-ending youth or the world we saw from the outside, of inappropriate behavior and spiraling excess? Or perhaps most importantly, who will they cast to play him?

Before Tinsel Town botches it, we're stepping in preemptively to give them a little friendly advice. If you have to make a Michael Jackson movie Hollywood, then consider these casting choices before you do it.


Free Willy & Final Years Michael
Casting late-life Michael Jackson is all at once easy and complex. There's no shortage of talented, high-profile, proven, age-appropriate African American actors who might be willing to take on the role (assuming you want to cast a black actor that is). Some of them can even sing and dance. A few like Chris Tucker have, in fact, actually built their entire life around doing some sort of Thriller-era Michael Jackson impersonation but sorry Chris, we can do better. Whoever lands it will have to be able to play Free Willy Michael right on through creepy guy who engages in inappropriate contact with minors on national television Michael.

LIKELY TO GET THE PART: Eddie Murphy
It has to be Eddie Murphy, doesn't it? Sure they'll have to slather him in freakish prosthetics but if Robert Downey Jr. can get away with blackface then Eddie can certainly pull off whiteface. He has the right build (or close enough), he can sing (sort of), he can dance (or at least simulate it), and by the time they start casting this thing he'll be ready for another one of his twice a decade dips into serious movie making. Eddie will smell Oscar and lobby for this part hard knowing that his usual competition, the likes of Jamie Foxx, Denzel Washington, and Will Smith lack either the physical build or the musical chops to pull of the part. Plus Eddie's no stranger to prosthetics. If he wants to play MJ, he'll land it. It just makes sense.

BETTER CHOICE: Crispin Glover
Sure he's white but so was Michael, sort of, by the end. Nobody captures freakish insanity better than Crispin and in the last decade, in the public eye at least, that seemed to be all that was left of the man. Jackson's journey is almost Howard Hughes' like in nature and there's nobody better than Crispin for walking around with Kleenex boxes for shoes. Would he do it? Probably not, he's more interested in bizarre filmmaking projects that no one wants to see, and of course there's no way Hollywood hires anyone who's not a big name, bankable star for this part. Still, if you've seen Willard or even paid attention to the few moments he shows up on screen in the Charlie's Angels movies, then you know there's no one more perfect than Crispin Glover to portray Michael Jackson at his lowest of lows. Insanity is Crispin's reality.



Thriller Michael
This is the tough one. The temptation here will be to cast someone who can play both Thriller era Michael and late-life, crazy Michael. Yet they're such completely different people, it's hard to imagine that working. Sure you could digitally de-age Eddie Murphy and dress him up like Captain EO and yeah, maybe you can spray paint Crispin Glover and teach him to moonwalk, but I say you're better off going with someone else entirely and I feel certain (for no particular reason) that Hollywood will agree with me.

LIKELY TO GET THE PART: Damon Wayans Jr.
You've probably got a bad feeling about this. Me too. Damon Wayans Jr. is the son of Damon Wayans Classic and he's already started climbing the Hollywood ladder as the one of the leads in the early year parody flop Dance Flick. He's a comic, which means he probably already has an MJ impersonation (don't all comedians?), he's a martial artist, snowboarder, and apparently he can dance. He's one of a dozen names which could easily end up with the role (and if Denzel Washington is somehow involved in producing then get ready for Derek Luke) but to me, he seems like exactly the kind of talent sleazy Hollywood producers might go for.

BETTER CHOICE: Andre 3000
Sure he's getting a little long in the tooth, but shave off his beard and Andre will instantly lose a few years. He's got the build, he's got the moves, and even though he's yet to really prove it I've long had this sneaking suspicion that Andre could, if he really put his mind to it, actually act. Look it was either Andre 3000 or My Name is Earl's Crabman. Andre is the right decision.



Little Jackson 5 Michael
This is the easiest Michael to cast. Throw a net over Los Angeles, scoop it up, and then pick out the cutest black kids at your leisure. If they can sing that's a bonus, but you're probably better off casting for cute factor and then hiring a eunuch to do voice over. Or better yet, just play MJ's old tracks. It's not like you're going to find someone who can sing “ABC” better.

LIKELY TO GET THE PART: Jaden Smith
He's Hollywood's official cute kid poster boy and even though he doesn't exactly look the part, at least he’s already halfway to the hair. Plus his dad's Will Smith who, if you play your cards right might sign on as a producer or, whatever it is he does whenever Jaden's got a new project.



BETTER CHOICE: Bobbe J. Thompson
I really have no good excuse for casting the foul mouthed, trash-talking kid from Role Models in this movie, or in any movie. I'm pretty sure he can't sing and he definitely looks nothing like Michael. I wouldn't however bet against him having awesome dance moves but mostly I'm casting him for my own amusement and because he's probably not going to take any of that shit from his Dad. Let's rewrite history a bit. Have Michael kick Joe Jackson in the nads. That asshole has it coming for what he did to him.

10th Annual Hollywood Black Film Festival Announces Jury and Audience Choice Award Winners

With 102 films and 6 days of deliberation, jury and audience choice award-winners were announced Sunday for the 2009 Hollywood Black Film Festival (HBFF). Actress Vanessa Bell Calloway announced the winning films during the festivals invitation-only Filmmaker and Storyteller Awards brunch, held at Life on Wilshire.

"We are so pleased to be able to present awards to these filmmakers who have displayed an amazing array of cinematic talent and vision," said Tanya Kersey, Founder & Executive Director, HBFF. "The 2009 Hollywood Black Film Festival award-winners reflect the full breadth of talent, diversity, and evolution of independent black film."

"Our filmmakers this year displayed an extraordinary range and depth to their storytelling, and I am pleased to know that HBFF continues to garner a well deserved reputation as being the premiere festival for discovering and showcasing the next generation of talented Black filmmakers," added Kersey. "We are thrilled at how the Hollywood Black Film Festival has continued to grow in attendance, local and national awareness and acclaim from filmmakers, writers and directors."

The winners receive prizes courtesy of Kodak, Writers Boot Camp, Entertainment Partners, Final Draft, Baseline Studio Systems & Film Tracker, Showbiz Software and Urban Network. In addition to product prizes and in keeping with the festival’s motto: “ACCESS. OPPORTUNITIES. DEALS.” The winners also receive a series of meetings with agents, managers, development, acquisition and distribution executives. Over 44 meetings have been scheduled for the filmmaker and storyteller winners.

Director Lucky Ejim’s feature film THE TENANT took the top audience prize at the 10th Annual Hollywood Black Film Festival. Sponsored by Indieflix the Audience Choice Award winner took home a cash prize in addition to prizes from Entertainment Partners, Baseline StudioSystems and Showbiz Software. In the film, Obinna, an African refugee, faces imminent deportation from Canada. His landlord, a dying retired immigration officer offers to stop the deportation if he convinces his estranged daughter to reconcile with him. In 30 days he has to turn the wheels of hate to one of love.

In the narrative feature film category, BLUE, directed by Ryan Miningham took top honors. BLUE tells the story of a prize fighter who struggles to put his dark past behind him as love seems to altar his course and makes him face his redemption while preparing for the fight of his life.

The Short Film winner was (MIS)LEADING MAN written and directed by Morocco Omari. (Mis) Leading Man is an exploration of what happens to a common man caught inside of the media fishbowl as a result of getting everything that he could ever dream of. Keith Holland seemingly has everything. He’s a coveted A-list actor with all of the rights and privileges that accompany that position, but realizes that it comes hand in hand with a price that he didn’t factor in. Nothing can prepare him for the fine print that comes with celebrity, or the duality of the media.

Llewellyn Smith’s documentary HERSKOVITS AT THE HEART OF BLACKNESS earned first place honors in the documentary category. HERSKOVITS is story about 20th century anthropologist Melville J. Herskovits, who 're-defined' black history, making it possible for a people formerly despised as “Negroes” to pride themselves as African-Americans. Herskovits himself was a white American of Jewish ancestry but he acquired the power to re-make the historical understanding of black people, and in the process engaged in conflicts with black scholars and elite institutions of the day. Rarely seen archival footage, provocative animation, photo re-enactments and scholars' commentary propel the story.

In the student film category, the award was presented to THE SECOND HALF written by Andrew Chang and directed by Ralph Jeffrey Elmont. In the film, Delroy, a night janitor in a high school, meets and mentors Harlan, one of the school's basketball stars, and is forced to confront his own past to save Harlan's future.

1 OUT OF 10, directed by Q, won in the music video category.

The 1st place winner in the HBFF Storyteller Competition was GOOD MOTHER written by Cassie Henderson of Tallahassee, FL. In GOOD MOTHER, a single mother diagnosed with breast cancer decides to commit a crime so that she can get healthcare in prison. BORN TO PITCH written by Robyn Hatcher of New York City took 2nd place honors. BORN TO PITCH is about Mamie “Peanut” Johnson who became the first woman to ever pitch major league baseball. A member of the Negro League’s Indianapolis Clowns, this film follows Mamie’s first season on the road with the Clowns where she realizes her life long dream to play professional baseball but faces losing her marriage, her child and her dignity. 3rd place went to FAR AWAY FROM HERE written by Dapo Adeshiyan of Piscataway, NJ . In FAR AWAY FROM HERE, when the soul-singing girlfriend of a rising star lawyer becomes an overnight sensation, their ten-year relationship is put to the test as her fame continues to rise, and his career begins to falter.

The HBFF Storyteller Competition was designed to promote and support new talent and continue the festival’s pledge of creating opportunities for talented black screenwriters. As the main goal is to give new screenwriters industry exposure and help introduce them to Hollywood, in addition to the prize packages, the three finalists will have their scripts distributed to a number of studios and production company executives.

“The diverse storytelling styles of this year’s Storyteller Competition semi-finalists is impressive,” said Alexia Ryan, HBFF Storyteller Director. “We are pleased to be able to bring these talented, diverse voices to the attention of Hollywood’s leading talent buyers.”

Festival attendees enjoyed a whirlwind of six days hustling to see films, attending panels and workshops at the adjunct Infotainment Conference, and partying into the wee hours of the night. HBFF 2009 ran June 3-8 in Beverly Hills, CA.

Good Hair, Premiere's on big screen

The HBO Films documentary "Good Hair," co-written and produced by Chris Rock and Nelson George, will finally arrive in US theaters this year after world rights were picked up by Roadside Attractions and Liddell Entertainment.

Roadside will release the film domestically in the fall, reports Variety. Lionsgate will handle home video and other domestic ancillary rights, while HBO retains pay cable rights.

The documentary also stars Rock as he shares hair recollections with such celebs as Maya Angelou, Nia Long, Raven Symone, Ice-T and the Rev. Al Sharpton. Stories of how hairstyles impacted their lives and self-esteem helped Rock formulate an answer to a question posed by his daughter.

"Good Hair" was directed by Jeff Stilson, a writer and co-producer of HBO's "The Chris Rock Show

Common in the new A-team Movie

The question of who will play Mr. T's role of B.A. Baracus in the upcoming "A Team" film appears to have been settled, as Fox is reportedly interested in casting rapper/actor Common.

When John Singleton was attached to helm the project last year, there were rumors that his preference for the mohawked role was Tyrese Gibson, whom he had directed in "Baby Boy" and "2 Fast 2 Furious."

Ice Cube, who starred in Singleton's first film "Boyz n the Hood," was also said to be actively pursuing the role.

But now that Joe Carnahan has taken over the director's chair, word has it that he's looking to bring in his own man Common, who starred in his film "Smokin' Aces."

The rapper/actor tells Moviehole.com that the role would be "so exciting."

10 Modern day Classic Movies

1. Lady Sings The Blues(1972) - Pop superstar, Diana Ross made her acting debut in this film, which chronicled the life of jazz great, Billie Holiday. While the film is mostly fiction, with a few facts thrown, Diana Ross received The Golden Globe, The Caesar, (French equivalent of the Oscar) and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress. Liza Minnelli won that year for Cabaret. This film was released in 1972, at the height of popularity of ‘Blaxplotation’ films such as Foxy Brown and Cleopatra Jones. It’s popularity demonstrated that a serious drama starring Black folk could be commercially successful. While Ross is no Billie Holiday, she does some of the best vocal work of her career in this film.
Director: Sidney J. Furie
Stars: Diana Ross, Billy Dee Williams, and Richard Pryor.


2. Shaft(1971) - Directed by noted writer/director, Gordon Parks, this effort was as popular for the music, as it was for it’s script, which was considered innovative at the time. Shaft was the first Black Hero of modern day film - A private investigator who dressed well, lived well, was intelligent, yet streetwise and cool at the same time. It was a big risk to take at a time when most were being portrayed as “cool pimps”, “ mack daddies”, and shady characters whose morals were questionable. It, like Lady Sings The Blues was released during the height of popularity of Blaxplotation films.
Director:Gordon Parks
Stars: Richard Roundtree, Moses Gunn

3. In The Heat of The Night(1967) - A Norman (Fiddler On The Roof, The Thomas Crown Affair, Agnes of God, A Soldier’s Story, The Hurricane, Moonstruck, Rollerball, And Justice For All, etc., etc.) Jewison film. My God, what a resume! The story of a Black New York City detective passing through a small southern town, who is held as a suspect in the murder of the town’s most prominent citizen. He is later detained to assist in the solving of the crime, which of course he does admirably. The local sheriff is a ‘redneck’, and most of the other White citizens, with the exception of Lee Grant, who plays the victim's widow, all seem to be as dumb as stumps. (Somehow, it gives us comfort, to believe all racists have low IQ’s, which is most often not the case.) Not only is the plot engrossing, but watching the dynamics of the relationship between the sheriff and the detective change, is totally hypnotic. It is evident with each scene that you are watching two terrific actors at the top of their game. Rod won the Oscar; Sidney wasn’t even nominated. Quincy Jones did the score.
Director: Norman Jewison
Stars: Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, and Lee Grant.

4. Sparkle(1976) - This is one of those films most often included in the DVD or VHS collections of many African Americans, while most Whites will say, “Sparkle?” This film chronicles the rise of 3 sisters from ghetto obscurity to superstardom. It examines their relationship, and the pitfalls success inevitably brings. It features a very popular score by Curtis Mayfield actually sung by the 3 actresses who portrayed the sisters. All songs were later re-recorded that year by Aretha Franklin on her album of the same name.
Director: Sam O’Steen
Stars: Irene Cara, Lonette Mckee, Dwan Smith, and Phillip Michael Thomas

5. The Color Purple(1985) - Nominated for 11 Academy Award, this is another one of those films that is a “must have” for collectors of Black film, and one that you will also find in the DVD/VHS collections of many African American. The film is an adaptation of a Pulitzer prize winning novel by Alice Walker. It explores the life of one woman, as played by Whoopi Goldberg, and the trials and tribulation she suffers as she grows into her own, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. It is probably the only role in which Whoopi was not just being Whoopi, and you get to see her really act! This film earned Whoopi her first Oscar nomination. Not just good, but GREAT performances were given by all. Quincy Jones co-produced, as well as composed the score.
Director: Steven Spielberg
Stars: Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, Danny Glover, Adolph Caesar, Rae Dawn Chong, and Margaret Avery

6. Glory(1989) - An historical account of the all Black 54th regiment - Comprised of free northern Blacks and runaway slaves who fought and nearly all perished during the Civil War. It was nominated for 5 Academy Awards, winning 3, including 1 for Denzel Washington for Best Supporting Actor. The story and acting are riveting. It is an eye-opening study of the relationship between blacks and whites in the military, and in America as a whole, during that era.
Director: Edward Zwick
Stars: Denzel Washington, Matthew Broderick, Morgan Freeman, and Andre Braugher

7. Boyz In The Hood(1991) - A coming of age story of a Black youth growing up in South Central Los Angeles. A realistic portrayal of the gangs, the violence, and the relationships that shape and alter one boy's life. This prompted a whole rash of movies in this genre, which is still to this day being imitated.
Director: John Singleton
Stars: Cuba Gooding jr., Laurence Fishburne, Morris Chestnut, Ice Cube, Regina King and Nia Long

8. Malcolm X(1992)- Based on the novel, The Autobiography of Malcolm X as written by Alex (Roots) Haley, it chronicles the life of Malcolm and his rise from street hustle, drug addict and pimp, to spiritual leader of The Nation of Islam. This film is probably Spike Lee’s best work to date. He refrained from his usual cute camera tricks, and concentrated on the story. The result is awesome. 'X' earned Denzel Washington another Academy award nomination for Best Actor.
Director: Spike Lee
Stars: Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Delroy Lindo, Al Freeman jr., and Theresa Randle.

9. Soul Food(1997) - A true and positive depiction of Black middle class family life. It realistically gives an accounting of the relationship between mothers and daughters; sibling rivalry, and the struggle to keep the family intact. The story revolves around a time honored tradition most Blacks are familiar with - Sunday dinner. Great movie, produced by singer/songwriter Kenneth (Babyface) Edmonds and his wife Tracey. Great soundtrack, which spawned hits by Mary J. Blige, Brandy, and others.
Director: George Tillman jr.
Stars: Vanessa L. Williams, Viveca A. Fox, Nia Long, Michael Beach, Mekhi Phifer, and Irma P. Hall

10. Waiting to Exhale(1995) - The Adaptation of Terry McMillan’s novel of the same name, it was labeled a ’man-hating’ film by quite a few brothers, disturbed by the way their images were portrayed. It’s the story of 4 middle class Black women, and the trials and tribulations they endure in their quest for meaningful intimate relationships, as well as a true-to-life exploration of their relationships with each other. I personally thought it was pretty balanced, showing both negative and positive images of Black men in a realistic way, and wasn’t at all offended.
....and another great soundtrack, which boosted movie ticket sales.
Director: Forest Whitaker
Stars: Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, Lela Rochon, Gregory Hines, Loretta Devine, Michael Beach, and Wesley Snipes.

Mos Def Convinces Next Day Air Co-Stars To Ban 'N' Word

Mos Def banned the use of the 'N' word on the set of his new movie Next Day Air in a bid to urge his co-stars to use less controversial terms to "express" themselves.

The rapper/actor stars alongside Donald Faison, Mike Epps and Wood Harris in the funny crime caper, about a drug shipment which is delivered to the wrong address.

And Mos Def convinced his African-American co-stars to make sure language in the film and on the set was respectful at all times - by outlawing the racially-charged word.

Harris says, "It was something that was very important to us. It was our way of making a statement that we can express ourselves without using the N-word. But it wasn't just in the movie that we banned the word. We also banned it on set. No one could say it. At first it was difficult, but we really stayed on top of each other. By the end of... filming, I don't know if it was something that even came up. We just didn't say it, and had no desire to. I hope that other people will start trying to find new ways to express themselves as well."

WILL.I.IAM: THE X-MEN ORIGINS WOLVERINE INTERVIEW

William James Adams, aka Will.i.Am, was born on March 15, 1975 in the City of Los Angeles where he attended the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising.

But by the time he got around to launching his own clothing line ("i.am") in 2005, the talented Renaissance man had already found fame as front man for Black Eyed Peas, the multiple Grammy-winning hip-hop group with hits like "Let's Get It Started" and "My Humps."

A versatile musician, Will not only plays various keyboards, the bass and drums, but also sings and raps as well.

Besides Black Eyed Peas, he's produced several successful solo projects, plus he has collaborated with a number of other artists, including Sergio Mendes, Usher and Flo Rida.

Perhaps his most important cultural contribution came during the run-up to the presidential election, when he released " Yes We Can ," the Emmy-winning song which ostensibly served as the Obama campaign's unofficial theme song. Will made his first foray into acting last fall when he provided the voice of Moto Moto in the animated feature Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa.

Here, he talks about all of the above, and about X-Men Origins: Wolverine (out this Friday) where he co-stars opposite Hugh Jackman as John Wraith.

Will.i.Am: Hi Kam.

Kam Williams: Thanks for the time, Will. By the way, is this you or just a hologram of you?

WiA: No, this is really Will.

KW: I remember when you were interviewed by Anderson Cooper as a hologram on Election Night.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deoOTqT-SMI]

WiA: Yeah, it's wild being a hologram back then and now being teleported in X-Men Origins.

KW: I believe that your song "Yes We Can," played a pivotal role in getting young voters excited about Barack Obama and that it helped him become President of the United States. How do you feel about his first 100 days in office?

WiA: So far, he's done great! People are enthusiastic about America like they haven't been in a very long time. He's passed the Stimulus Bill… the Stem Cell Research Bill… he's closed Guantanamo Bay. Base on that, this dude has overachieved already. It's really too early to be judging him, but I'm super thrilled that he won, and I think he's doing a phenomenal job so far. The people judging him now are the doubters who think there's a possibility that he's going to fail. We can't afford that. It's all psychological. If he fails, that means we've failed, too, to since he's in the White House because of us. If we're going to judge him now, then we have to judge ourselves also, and ask, what have we done since his inauguration?

KW: Attorney Bernadette Beekman asks what inspired you to write "Yes We Can?"

WiA: My passion. I was inspired by his speech, and by all the invisible freedom fighters from the past who you never read about in school.

KW: Did you think it would help Obama become president?

WiA: No, I wrote it basically so teachers could teach his speech in school. I wasn't thinking, "I'm going to write this song to make Obama our president." That's not logical. I was thinking, "I'm going to write this song so we would have a politician's words being taught in schools." That was something I could do that would have an immediate effect.

KW: That's brilliant, Will!

WiA: Thank you. That was the real reason I did it, although there was the possibility that this dude could become our president once he was already being taught to the kids.

KW: As for X-Men, what a spectacular screen debut you're getting to make by being a part of such a popular film franchise.

WiA: Yeah, it's more than spectacular. It's unbelievable, and kind of crazy, if you ask me.

KW: Did you base your approach to playing John Wraith on anybody?

WiA: I modeled him after my cousin, Earl. He used to be a very, very bad, bad man. He's done some bad, bad things, but he's also a very approachable, likable, huggable kind of guy. He has some bad friends who've done bad things, too, but he has a conscience.

KW: How would you describe your character's relationship to Logan, aka Wolverine?

WiA: He and Wolverine are close buddies. They go off into the world, and mess up things, but he has a heart, and knows when enough is enough.

KW: What was working with director Gavin Hood like?

WiA: Working with him was incredible. First of all, I love his movies. He's very talented and very endearing as far as making you feel comfortable about tapping into all the emotions you need to deliver. He pulls the best out of you, and that's awesome.

KW: And how was it acting opposite Hugh Jackman?

WiA: Hugh Jackman is the nicest guy on Earth. I was like, "Dang, dude," he was so super nice.

KW: Are you planning to make more movies?

WiA: I would love not only to do more work as an actor, but to write and direct.

KW: You're an incredibly accomplished Renaissance man who has made a mark in a number of fields. But you started out in fashion. Is it still your first love?

WiA: Yeah, I love fashion. It is my love.

KW: I know you were born in Los Angeles, but where are your parents from?

WiA: My folks are from Mississippi.

KW: "Realtor to the Stars" Jimmy Bayan wants to know, where in L.A. do you live now?

WiA: [Sings to the tune of Hollywood Swinging] Hollywooooooooooood!!!!!

KW: Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would?

WiA: It's more the opposite. I've been asked a lot of questions I wish people wouldn't.

KW: The Tasha Smith question: Are you ever afraid?

WiA: Afraid about what?

KW: The Columbus Short question: Are you happy?

WiA: I'm happy every day of my life.

KW: The Teri Emerson question: When was the last time you had a good belly laugh?

WiA: Last night.

KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book you read?

WiA: Can I be honest.

KW: Of course.

WiA: I've never really read a book.

KW: Why not?

WiA: I can read pretty well, but my attention span is really short. When I read, the first paragraph is great, the second is great, but by about the third paragraph or so, I'm just reading the words and it's no longer sinking into my mind.

KW: What has been the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?

WiA: I'm going through that right now.

KW: The Rudy Lewis question: Who's at the top of your hero list?

WiA: I have many heroes. When it comes to molding my character, my grandma, Sarah Cain, is my biggest hero. We call her Nanny. And my mom, Debra, of course, too. But aside from my family, my biggest hero is Quincy Jones, by far.

KW: A big fan of yours, Marcia Evans, loves those CDs you made with Sergio Mendes. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh307IdQ4cw] She wants to know, how you liked working in Brazil.

WiA: I loved working there. Brazil is one of my favorite places on the planet.

KW: Marcia was also wondering what you think of the Brazilian culture.

WiA: I love the culture because black people in Brazil are Brazilian, whereas in America, black people are black. The Brazilians have graduated and have accepted pigment, so they all just celebrate Brazilian-ness. I'm not saying we need to abandon our origins, but Brazilians are from Africa, too. America is almost there. Most of us don't know what part of Africa we're from anyway.

KW: I recently read a book by a sister who went back to Africa to find her roots and came back feeling more American than African.

WiA: Interesting. Brazil has faced the same issues we have, but the difference is that they were conquered by the Portuguese. Sergio Mendes taught me a whole lot about African culture and how we've evolved from slavery. He pointed out that the Portuguese didn't strip their slaves of their culture, so the Brazilian people were able to grow together as a nation, avoiding what America is suffering from.

KW: What advice do you have for anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps, like my son who is majoring in music in college?

WiA: I would say just to continue to make music and to share it on the internet. That's the future, in just making it and sharing it.

KW: Thanks again for the interview Will, and best of luck with all your endeavors.

WiA: Thank you so much, dude.

The Taking of Pelham 123

Eddie Murphy to Play Richard Pryor

A new movie about Comic Legend Richard Pryor is in the works, and Eddie Murphy is being attached to the project. Writer-Director Bill Condon from Dreamgirls fame is behind the project, and he is pulling for Murphy. The two worked together on Dreamgirls. In a recent poll on our WDAS website asking who should play Pryor, readers expressed their hopes of Steve Harvey portraying the late great comedian.

Brooklyn's Finest Emerging Film Maker

A couple weeks ago I sat down with " Ahsaan Mitchell," a Brownsville native, who filmed a behind-the-scenes documentary about what happens to a neighborhood like Brownsville when a big Hollywood production moves in for the summer. His is an amazing story: part luck, part imagination, part determination. Most of all it’s about grabbing on to an opportunity and taking full advantage.

Brooklyn’s Finest, starring Richard Gere and Ethan Hawke, took over part of Brownsville, Brooklyn last summer. Blocks of trucks took up residence and big-name actors became a common sight. Ahsaan, in his late twenties, had never shot anything before being hired on Brooklyn’s Finest. He was in development on a film documentary about Brownsville when he stumbled into this amazing opportunity. “I actually got into filmmaking in North Carolina. Blue Ridge Motion Pictures has a training program in Asheville, North Carolina. I have a background in music, and I’ve been on a lot of music video sets and I used to write, that was initially my background. But there was a lot of politics with the music industry that I disagreed with, in terms of the way music was going, so I just left that alone and moved down south, and I started getting really interested in film, so I took initiative and started reading and studying up and found this opportunity to go to this one year training program at Blue Ridge Pictures.”

When the training program was finished, he moved back to New York and went through the Made in NY Production Assistant Training Program, which is a non-profit program run in conjunction with the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting. It trains people from diverse backgrounds for entry-level work on film and television sets. “It’s definitely an entry-level foot in the door, because New York is really competitive, and that was a great opportunity. People from all diverse backgrounds are in the program. People who just graduated from NYU are in the program, so that tells you that the New York film industry is competitive.”

After completing the training program, Ahsaan worked as a production assistant on a lot of commercials, and on the remake of The Taking of Pelham 123 starring John Travolta and Denzel Washington eventually production coordinating and working as a assistant director on a short film. But he was anxious to get to work on his own project, something that had been germinating for some time. After spending a couple of years researching the history of Brownsville, he was in pre-production on his Brownsville documentary when he heard that Brooklyn’s Finest would be filming in the very housing project where he grew up. He sought out the superintendent from the housing projects, hoping that he would be able to get a little footage of the movie being filmed and work it in to his documentary. Little did he know that it would end up leading to a life-changing opportunity.

“Seventy percent of the locations that [Brooklyn's Finest] was shooting in in Brownsville is the Van Dyke Houses…that’s the public housing I grew up in. I knew everybody. I knew the superintendent, I knew the tenant association. So I asked could I talk to the superintendent, his name was Stan Ridges. He was the superintendent of public housing at Van Dyke.” Sadly, Mr. Ridges died in a motorcycle accident, not long after shooting had finished. He never got to see any of the finished movie, and Ahsaan regrets that he hadn’t gotten around to interviewing him on camera.

Mr. Ridges already knew about Ahsaan’s documentary, and he introduced Ahsaan to John Langley, one of the producers on Brooklyn’s Finest. “I actually only wanted to get some footage of them shooting the movie, it wasn’t my intention to get hired on the movie.” But Mr. Langley saw bigger things for Ahsaan and brought him into the fold of the production. “Originally I was just hired to do behind-the-scenes footage, but I pitched them the idea - I wanted to do a social commentary documentary about what happened when this movie came to Brownsville. Considering how Brownsville is, this was really big for a lot of people, and I wanted to capture that. It changed a lot of people’s lives, and I’m one of them.” Ahsaan reflected on his luck for a moment and repeated, “And I’m one of them.”

The production gave Ahsaan a Sony DSR 500 to shoot with. When producers John Langley and John Thompson found out that Ahsaan didn’t have a computer to edit on, they gave him a powerful laptop and a copy of Final Cut Pro. He got to keep it all.

Ahsaan’s documentary gives a broad overview of the movie’s impact on the neighborhood as a whole, but he also zeroes in on a few key people and follows them throughout. He’s still not done shooting. He wants to do some more follow-up interviews with some of the locals to find out what’s happened to their Hollywood dreams since the movie left. “Some of them continued, and some of them went right back to what they were doing before the movie. Because some of these guys were ‘on the corner’ guys who had no aspirations ever to be in a film. They were cast, and some of them really took off, really shined. Some of them are going toe-to-toe with Ethan Hawke in the movie. It’s a story that needs to be told, because it’s things that people don’t get to see all the time. It’s inspirational.”

Ahsaan said that everyone was excited initially that a movie was filming in Brownsville. It’s not a common filming location. “It was a moment of calm in Brownsville. You have rival factions that stayed calm because it was something positive going on.” But as the production went on, some people started to get tired of it - they wanted their parking spaces back, they wanted free access to their buildings again. It didn’t take long for the neighborhood to become jaded about having stars in its midst (although when Wesley Snipes was on the set, everyone went crazy). But they did appreciate that the production was trying to build a relationship with Brownsville, that the filmmakers weren’t just taking what they needed from the neighborhood and running away. The production is fixing up a neighborhood park, and director Antoine Fuqua formed the Antoine Fuqua Youth Program (Ahsaan in on the advisory board and helped interview the potential participants), which is mentoring three neighborhood kids and teaching them how to be filmmakers. And Ahsaan is keeping on top of things, making sure that the program stays alive, making sure that the production keeps its promises to the kids. “The kids got a chance in December to go up to [the post production studio] where they were editing the movie and see what happens in post production. They’re going to start shooting short films in a couple of weeks.”

I got to view a trailer for the documentary, and at one point someone says that the neighborhood was in neutral during filming. I didn’t know what that meant. Was it luck? Was there some kind of agreement between the gangs? Or did everybody just instinctively realize that something special was happening? “Unfortunately what was going on in Brownsville, prior to them coming with the movie, it was like madness. [And when the movie came] everybody kind-of agreed to be in neutral, because it was an opportunity. Everybody could eat off of this situation - let’s not be warring out here, because we’re gonna be messing it up. There were guys who normally wouldn’t even be on the other side of the neighborhood that was over there because of the movie, and everybody was like ‘It’s cool, it’s cool.”

Granted, everything wasn’t sunshine and roses all the time. The production had the Nation of Islam provide extra security. Within the fold of the movie, everything was cool. But outside of the production, for some people who hadn’t had an opportunity to be involved, it was business as usual. A production assistant got jumped running an errand, passersby sometimes threw things. But for the most part, things were really laid back. “A lot of guys that were in the movie were very influential, and that helped… There was a lot of street politics going on. A lot of people who were ‘known’ in the neighborhood were in the movie.”

I asked Ahsaan if anyone from the neighborhood would be involved when the movie comes out, maybe doing some press or attending the premiere. He wasn’t sure, but he hopes so. The production was in Brownsville for about two-and-a-half months, and he’s hoping that when the movie comes out, the neighborhood gets excited again. In the meantime, besides trying to finish the Brooklyn’s Finest documentary, he’s gone back to work on his original Brownsville documentary.

As we wrapped up the interview, I asked him if he had any final thoughts. “There’s a lot of raw talent that can be mined. People just want an opportunity. You give people an opportunity, you’ll be surprised what you get out of them. Because I don’t think any of the producers thought I was going to do what I did, honestly. They gave me a shot, and the shot was all I asked for. I would have did it for free, that’s the truth. I would have did it for free, just for the shot.”

Ahsaan told me that he hopes to do for Brownsville what Spike Lee did for Bed Stuy. “We have talent. We have stories. We have stuff to talk about. We just needed an opportunity.”

Originally posted on Filming In Brooklyn

Sundance 2009 - Look For Brooklyn's Finest!

Brooklyn's Finest. There is no shortage of gritty cop movies in the world of cinema; gritty cop movies that are actually GOOD are another matter. This one, starring Richard Gere, Don Cheadle and Ethan Hawke as three very different cops who converge on the same housing project one fateful day, was directed by Antoine Fuqua, whose Training Day was a minor classic. Fuqua has gone astray since then (King Arthur? Shooter?), but perhaps Brooklyn's Finest will be a return to form.

Eddie Murphy To Play Joker!

Reports earlier this month that Eddie Murphy was cast as The Riddler in the next Batman movie were immediately shot down by Warner Bros. as untrue, but the reporter who announced the news continues to stand by his story.

U.K.-based tabloid The Sun also claimed that "Transformer" star Shia LaBeouf would play Robin and the title of the film will be "Gotham."

Even though Warner Bros., director Christopher Nolan and various executives attached to the franchise have all gone on record saying there has been no casting on the still-untitled film, let alone a script, Sun reporter Gordon Smart claims his story was based on “a reliable contact” close to the film, reports The Guardian.

Smart also claims that the same anonymous source was responsible for another rumor back in 2005 that turned out to be true: the casting of Daniel Craig as the new (at the time) James Bond.

“Everyone had a crack at us when we published that one. I was almost laughed out of conference that day, but it turned out to be spot on," wrote Smart in a recent post on The Guardian's Film Blog. "I wish I had had a bet on it.”