
Naturi Naughton, who's set to play Lil' Kim in the Biggie Smalls film 'Notorious', has just landed another plum role. The Hollywood Reporter states that she's part of an ensemble that will be in the remake of the 1980 musical 'Fame'.
Also joining her in the film are Kristy Flores, Paul Iacono, Paul McGill, Kay Panabaker, Kherington Payne, Collins Pennie, Walter Perez and Anna Maria Perez de Tagle.
Much like in the Oscar-winning original, directed by Alan Parker, the story will track the failures and fortunes of super-ambitious young performers and their teachers as they navigate a school year at the prestigious High School for the Performing Arts in New York.
'Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles' star Thomas Dekker also is in negotiations to take one of the remaining leads. And Debbie Allen, who played Lydia in the original, is rumored to be in line for a cameo, though not as the same character.
The studio is seeking actors for the adult roles.
Written by Allison Burnett and Aline Brosh McKenna, the reinvention will be directed by choreographer Kevin Tancharoen. Gary Lucchesi and Tom Rosenberg of Lakeshore Entertainment are producing the $25 million project along with Mark Canton. Becky Sloviter is overseeing for MGM.
The film is expected to begin lensing in late November to make its Sept. 25 release date. MGM will distribute 'Fame' in North America, while Lakeshore will handle international distribution and release the soundtrack.
As a buoyant batch of relative unknowns in a brutal business, the new cast members mirror the stories of the musical's characters -- rising stars in a variety of artistic disciplines competing for respect and success.
Flores plays Rosie, a dancer; Iacano ("The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie") plays Neil, a filmmaker; McGill plays Kevin, a gay dancer; Naughton ("Notorious") plays Denise, a multitalented classical pianist; Panabaker ("CSI: Crime Scene Investigation") plays Jenny, an actor; Payne ("So You Think You Can Dance") plays Alice, a ballerina; Pennie ("Half Nelson") plays Malik, an artist; Perez ("Friday Night Lights") plays Victor, a musician; and Perez de Tagle ("Hannah Montana") plays Joy Moy. Dekker would play Marco, a singer.
Here's a vintage video of Irene Cara singing the theme song, 'Fame'.


Comments: (12)
Add a comment
By: shebakescheesecakes.com on 10/11/2008 9:48AM
Good Luck Naturi!!!!! 3LW wasnt the same without you.....
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: marcia naughton loyd on 10/12/2008 12:27AM
Congratulations to my niece, Naturi and all of her accomplishments. I can't wait to see this flick.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Bella on 10/12/2008 8:51AM
theres always a bigger reason as to WHY things happen ..good or bad .. NOW GO DO YOUR THING NUTORI!! :)
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Tina on 10/12/2008 12:00PM
YOU GO GIRL YOU DID YOUR THING WITH 3LW NOW YOU ARE DOING TO DO YOUR THING IN THIS MOVIE,NATURI YOU ARE VERY YOUNG WOMEN AND YOU ARE GOING TO GO VERY FAR IN LIFE JUST KEEP UP THE GOOD THING THAT YOU ARE DOING AND THING WELL COME TO YOU.
CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THE MOVIE GOOD LUCK NATURI
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: DeeDee on 10/12/2008 12:37PM
3LW....what or WHO is 3LW????
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Kay on 10/12/2008 1:35PM
You Go Girl. I liked you the best out of 3LW and I am happy to see that you are back in the spotlight. Best Wishes to your success and all. God Bless!!!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Ray on 10/12/2008 2:32PM
Always wondered what happened to her. The rumor mill had Naturi painted as the odd one out because she had darker skin and some morals (i.e. not wanting to be a cameo video hoochie), which made me skeptical about the other 2...Now they may be typecast as nothing more than Disney Cheetah girls while Naturi is still a fresh face to some with endless possibilities.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: LA LA on 10/12/2008 8:04PM
SHE WAS THE BEST IN 3LW, THEY HAVE NOT BEEN THE SAME SINCE NAUTRI WAS SO CALLED "DISMISSED". THEY TRY TO GIVE THAT LIL JLO WANNABE IN FRONT AND CENTER,THAT DIDN'T DO ANYTHING FOR THAT GROUP. BEST WISHES NAUTRI!!!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: LA LA on 10/12/2008 8:13PM
P.S.
WHY BROTHA MANS FOREHEAD SO EXTRA SHINEY LIKE HE DIP HIS HEAD IN A BUCKET OF CHICKEN OIL LMAO. SMH AT THE PHOTOGRAPHER WHO DID NOT GIVE HIM A HANDKERCHIEF.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: ebonybeauty on 10/12/2008 8:18PM
You go girl...show the world that dark skinned black women can be beautiful smart and successful. We don't always have to shake your behind in a stupid music video to be on television. Pretty soon the other two will be too old for disney channel...but your success is on the horizon....best wishes
Reply to this Comment | Report This