James Brown – His wife beating, PCP abuse, legendary dance moves and cameo in "Rocky IV" are longing for the big screen treatment.
Casting Choice - Chris Tucker
B.B. King – Legend with decades and decades of smoky blues joint tales, including guitar duels with the devil…..wait, wasn't that "Crossroads" with Ralph Macchio?
Casting Choice – Morgan Freeman
David Bowie – Spiders from Mars, bisexuality and a marriage to an African supermodel plus lots of glitter outfits.
Casting Choice – Owen Wilson
Freddie Mercury – Flamboyant as they come, requiring a versatile star to portray 70s era craziness and death from AIDS in 1991. The Oscars love tragedy.
Steve Perry – Don’t be a snob. The perfectly mediocre journey of Journey’s lead singer deserves a shot. Their hits will remain prom dance songs and muzak at malls for the next thousand years.
Casting Choice – John Lequizamo
For more, check out my site, Culture Drift
http://www.culturedrift.com
Article comments
1 - Eric Berlin
I like the ideas -- good post. Not so sure about your casting choices though.
I'd love to see a Led Zep or Stones biopic. Call me nuts, but I think George Clooney would be an excellent choice to direct. "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind" did a bang-up job of bringing surreal 60s / 70s wackiness to the screen.
2 - Chip
The casting choices were kind of a goof, except for Morgan Freeman as BB King. I think that is perfect casting and a movie I'd pitch to any producer that would listen.
On my web site I have pictures of the casting choices side by side with the musician. Chris Tucker's hair in "Fifth Element" is good for James Brown.
I think we really see more of these films. Especially as kids that grew up on 70s/80s music get older. For instance, there has been talk of a Motley Crue story with Nikki Sixx hoping that Brad Pitt would play him. I think he'd be too old, and too pretty though.
3 - Eric Berlin
Freeman could make a good BB, except he would have to put on some major lbs. first.
And I think Tucker could make for a fine James Brown... but he could use another 10 years on him yet.
4 - Dave Nalle
Might be better to stick with dead people for these biopics, especially the more controversial characters.
Dave
5 - Trac y
Love the Steve Perry choice, he is a Rock God and would be awesome to see a story on his life. Love him!!!!!!
6 - veronica
I've always thought that Jay Z looks a lot like Robert Johnson. If he learned to played guitar....