From D-Listed:

Disney is apparently working on a big-screen version of their Broadway musical version of the classic story of Aida by Elton John. Disney reportedly wants Beyonce to the play the title role. The studio only wants Beyonce and if she signs on the project is a go. At this point, I have nothing to say. Hollywood and Disney fuck everything up, so why not this. Have at it!

From Invisible Woman: **sigh**

From Bossip:

“Afroman”, the dude known for that song “Because I Got High”, can add filmmaker to his list of credentials. Joseph “Afroman” Foreman is working on his first film titled Waiting to Inhale a spoof of the 1995 “when a woman’s fed up” movie of the decade Waiting to Exhale. As lame as it sounds, it sounds like it might be worth watching especially for all of you that enjoy movies like Friday, How High, and Harold and Kumar Go to Whitecastle.

From Invisible Woman: Huh?

btw, that is an actual picture of “Afroman”

That’s actually the name of a 1970′s flick, but I’m going off the beaten path a bit today.

Mrs. Grapevine (check out her site) was kind enough to forward this info to me, and since I have love for y’all New York people, I wanted to post it.

There will be an all black production of Romeo and Juliet outdoors in Harlem; let’s hope there isn’t a raincloud in sight:

THE CLASSICAL THEATRE OF HARLEM “Romeo and Juliet” runs July 27-28 in Von King Park, Brooklyn; Aug. 4-5 in Marcus Garvey Park, Harlem; Aug. 9-10 in Tompkins Square Park, Manhattan. (212) 564-9983; classicaltheatreofharlem.org.

Richard Pryor is speaking the gospel throughout; he is not playin’.

The “Shaft” music clip above is from one of the best black films of all time “Wattstax”. It was filmed at an all day concert in Watts in the early 70′s, and combines man on the street commentary about the social issues of the day. The performances are amazing, the clothes, the scenery, the hair-I love everything about this movie. But I digress….enjoy the Shaft marathon.

It stars some of my favorite black comedians–Faizon Love, Tony Cox, Finesse Mitchell, Garrett Morris, Bruce Bruce and Terry Crews (who makes me laugh in everything I see him in). Others are Big Boi from Outkast, Lil’ Wayne, Tamala Jones, James Avery, Jenifer Lewis, and Sherri Shephard. Whew, that’s a lotta Black Hollywood.

To all of my international readers, have a great day too!

Finally, a black film with no drug and gun dilemmas, and no classrooms going from foolios to Rhodes Scholars. The new movie “Talk To Me” is coming out soon, and stars Don Cheadle, Taraji P. Henson, Cedric the Entertainer, Mike Epps, Keith Sweat (?!), Chiwetal Eljofor, and Vondie Curtis-Hall. As you can see, lots of Black Hollywood. It is also directed by one of the first really well known black female directors, Kasi Lemmons, who directed one of my faves , “Eve’s Bayou” and “The Caveman’s Valentine “(shout out to Purple Zoe!). She also happens to be the wife of Vondie Curtis-Hall.

This is the synopsis from IMDB:
The true life story of Ralph Waldo “Petey” Greene Jr. In the mid-to-late 1960s, in Washington, D.C., vibrant soul music and exploding social consciousness were combining to unique and powerful effect. It was the place and time for Petey to fully express himself – sometimes to outrageous effect – and “tell it like it is.”

With the support of his irrepressible and tempestuous girlfriend Vernell, the newly minted ex-con talks his way into an on-air radio gig. He forges a friendship and a partnership with fellow prison inmate Milo’s brother Dewey Hughes. From the first wild morning on the air, Petey relies on the more straight-laced Dewey to run interference at WOL-AM, where Dewey is the program director. At the station, Petey becomes an iconic radio personality, surpassing even the established popularity of his fellow disc jockeys, Nighthawk and Sunny Jim. Combining biting humor with social commentary, Petey openly courts controversy for station owner E.G. Sonderling. Petey was determined to make not just himself but his community heard during an exciting and turbulent period in American history.

As Petey’s voice, humor, and spirit surge across the airwaves with the vitality of the era, listeners tune in to hear not only incredible music but also a man speaking directly to them about race and power in America like few people ever have.

From Invisible Woman: Sounds great to me. Like the concept, like the cast….I love seeing movies about blacks in other eras….I just hope it can keep up with the summertime/blockbuster crowd, though.

side note trivia…this dude was the first person to ever interview howard stern