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Black Voices has learned that writer/director/producer Tyler Perry has selected the cast for next film, ''For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf.'
At last night's premiere for his latest film, ''Why Did I Get Married Too?,' the black box-office maverick revealed that the cast will include Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Whoopi Goldberg, Phylicia Rashad, Jurnee Smollett, Kimberly Elise, Kerry Washington, Loretta Devine and Macy Gray.
Based on Ntozake Shange's award-winning 1975 play, the film is scheduled to shoot in June in New York with a possible winter 2010/ 2011 release date
The riveting play, consisting of a series of poems performed through a cast of nameless women, known only by a color -- deal with such subjects as love, abandonment, rape, and abortion, garnered much acclaim, becoming the toast of Broadway when it opened at The Booth Theater in 1976.
It later morphed into an Emmy Award nominated television special and is still being performed around the world.
Elise and Carey are the only two that made the cut from Perry's initial wish list that he mentioned back in September 2009, which initially included 16-time Grammy Award winner Beyonce Knowles, Academy Award winner Halle Berry and media queen Oprah Winfrey.
"Making a film of 'For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow is Enuf' is a dream come true for me," Perry said about the project. "Ntozake Shange's play is a magnificent tribute to the strength and dignity of women of color, and I think audiences of all generations will be able to recognize and embrace the experiences these women represent. Creatively, this movie is one of the most exciting undertakings of my career."
As previously reported by Black Voices, 'For Colored Girls' will be the first project for 34th Street Films, Perry's new production company, which is housed at Lionsgate.
Six Degrees of Tyler Perry
Six Degrees of Tyler Perry
In just three years, Tyler Perry has become the toast of Hollywood. Could you name another director black or white who can boast of having released six feature movie projects within a three year period? Nope. Not only did the New Orleans native write all of the storylines for the films, he starred in four. Combined, five of the films have grossed upwards of $250 million worldwide, some within budgets below $6 million. And with the major money train also comes associating with some of the biggest names in and out of the entertainment business. BlackVoices.com takes an introspective look at how a former homeless man turned chit'lin circuit theater czar has connections to the likes of Michael Jackson, Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston and Will Smith, to name a few. Check out Six Degrees of Tyler Perry.
Tyler Perry
The best-selling playwright turned Hollywood hot-shot (real name: Emmitt R. Perry, Jr.) was born Sept. 14, 1969 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Ray Nagin
Another New Orleans native, Ray Nagin, Jr. was elected into the office of Mayor of the Crescent City on March 6, 2002.
Labelle
Known as the music capitol of the Gulf Coast, New Orleans was also the setting for 'Lady Marmalade,' a hit song from 1970s glam-soul trio Labelle, comprised of Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sara Dash.
Lenny Kravitz
Modern day rock & roll demigod Lenny Kravitz is one of the top-notch talents chosen to produce Labelle's long-awaited reunion album, 'Back to Now,' due out later this year via Verve Records.
Lisa Bonet
'The Cosby Show' and 'A Different World' star Lisa Bonet eloped with Lenny Kravitz in November 1987. Their daughter Zoe Isaballe Kravitz was born the next year. The couple separated in 1991.
Gary Dourdan
'C.S.I.' actor Gary Dourdan played Cree Summer's character's love interest Shazza Zulu on the NBC sitcom 'A Different World,' which was originally developed as a spin-off vehicle for Lisa Bonet. The Philadelphia native appeared on 13 episodes from 1991 to 1992.
Janet Jackson
Gary Dourdan also played the love interest of Janet Jackson in the music video for her chart-topping ballad, 'Again,' in 1993.
Tyler Perry
Janet Jackson starred in the lead role of Tyler Perry's box office smash, 'Why Did I Get Married?' The twice divorced pop star won an NAACP Image Award for her performance.
Ruben Cannon
One of the most respected executives in Hollywood, Ruben Cannon has served as a casting director of film and TV projects dating all the way back to 1977. He co-executive produced Tyler Perry's 'Why Did I Get Married?'
Comments: (87)
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By: kyla on 3/23/2010 11:22AM
I think that it is interesting that a choreo-poem about Black women's struggle, empowerment and rebirth is going to be directed and produced by a Black man, who has accomplished much for the Black community, but continues to portray Black woman in his artistic outlets as gold diggers, drug addicts, and over=accomplished mean-spirited women.
I am not sure about his choice to direct, when there are so many talented Black women theatrical directors who need the chance to show what they have. He has made many opportunities for Black women as actresses and I hope he extends that help to Black woman directors as well.
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By: e henderson on 3/23/2010 3:04PM
What movies have you been watching? Tyler Perry has portrayed women as they are. All women are not movie stars or successful singers. How many movies have you seen that have golddiggers in them. They movies I've seen shows women in life as it is.
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By: pat on 3/23/2010 3:24PM
response to 1st comment. well said "kyla". i just have to know what exactly has he done for the 'Black community'?
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By: Middle Leg on 3/23/2010 5:26PM
Tyler Perry uses washed up or second rate actors. You notice he can't get the good actors to play in his "okay" movies. Spike Lee was right!!! Such bufoonery!!! I hope he doesn't bufoon this movie up!!!
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By: Middle Leg on 3/23/2010 5:35PM
I've also noticed that in all but one of his films, the darker skinned negro male is the bad character.
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By: Keeping It Real! on 3/23/2010 6:23PM
I can understand what you're saying. Because, I noticed the same thing. I think it's great to portray black people as being accomplished and strong. Because, for too long we've seen them portrayed as everything negative under the sun in film. I also commend him on keeping a lot of talented black actors and actresses of ALL colors, shapes, hair textures, and levels of success and/or intelligence (not just light-skinned, fine-haired, bi-racial or non-black women) working.
The rest of Hollywood isn't doing this. While his themes can get tired and more of the same; if it wasn't for him, you would hardly see yourself represented unless it was the same people (Denzel, Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, Halle Berry, and Beyonce). I also believe he does black people a disservice by always portraying intelligent black women who are accomplished in his films as mean-spirited, money hungry, uppity, ghetto, loud, and non-supportive of their men. Because, this is not the bulk of "real life."
While it is true of "some" black women, it is not all. Just as it is not all black men being abusive cheats. There is good and bad in all races and with both genders. It is the stereotype that has been portrayed and verbally spoken to society about black women that isn't a true representation of so many loving and supportive black women. Even people of other races are repeating what they've heard, and they have no clue! In reality, if most black women had men that are as "Jesus-like" and self-sacrificing, hard-working, and loving, as he portrays the black men in his movies to be, black women would not behave like they are being portrayed throughout society.
For example: The men in his movies treat those "black" women like princesses, and will wait until the woman is ready for sex, which is usually after the men eagerly ask them to marry them; are you kidding? Yeah, Mr. Perry does show reality. But, it's obvious that it's more from a black male mentality about black females. I know it's supposed to also be comedy. But, Mr. Brown is insulting. Yeah, some have these type of people as relatives in their own families. But, that is just ridiculous! I know why Spike said what he said. It is buffoonery!
In most of his dramas it's the black females that are hideous in behavior, while the males are portrayed as being almost angelic and superfine. When in reality those type of males want nothing to do with dark-skinned, natural hair wearing black women. Don't believe me, look who all of them are married to or dating in real life? And, no; I'm not an angry black woman. I'm someone who is keeping it real. I'm not blaming black females or males, just the trifling ones, who want to stay in denial, misrepresent, or blame each other.
Instead of, loving ourselves and each other enough to stop running away from each other and running to each other. I suggest Tyler Perry make Hill Harper's book The Conversation and Steve Harvey's book into movies! Because, truly his movies are good. However, they lack another side of reality that puts the responsibility where it belongs, on both the black men and the black women that have hardened their hearts towards each other.
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By: Duncan28 on 3/23/2010 6:32PM
The reason why no one will ever direct one of his movies is because he is a control-freak! The title of everyone of his movies starts with TYLER PERRY PRESENTS............ I too was surprised that a woman wasn't directing this film. I saw the original play on Broadway and it was sensational! I seriously hope he doesn't screw up this classic.
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By: runnyr on 5/01/2010 8:40PM
Kyla...why not be bitter at all the white directors who unceasingly portray both black men and women in a degrading light?? Don't shovel dirt on a black man who has overcome so many obstacles to make it to where he is today. I applaud him for all of his success. He's only a man, doing what he knows to do best. He's not our savior...a person to rescue us from all the unjustice or negative images in hollywood. I'd rather see him make movies about us, for us...than the next white man.
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By: Kiera on 5/30/2010 4:22AM
OMG!!! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE!!! Tyler Perry is a man who has come from nothing to SOMETHING!!! His films are about everyday life and what blacks and other races go through as well. He has inspired a lot of young ppl to want to do well and succeed so that they wouldn't have to live those types of life styles.So that they wouldn't have to struggle everyday or prostitute to pay a light bill or buy their child a pack of diapers. He is not degrading black women or any other race of women or men. As a black family we should uplift and support him instead or critcize and scold him. He has given and still is giving many blacks an oppurtunity to shine. How often is it that you turn on the television and see all black ppl in a movie or even on a commercial? Tyler Perry's life is similar to his films. How? In his films he shows how ppl have been through so much but in the end they make it. They succeed and good happens to them. Same thing he went through. Now look at him now. He's a writer, producer, director,etc. Sometimes you have to take a walk in other people's shoes before you try to judge!!
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By: LaDivaSim on 3/23/2010 1:26PM
I'm not surprised he couldnt get Halle Berry, Oprah, or Angela Bassett to committ to his adaptation of For Colored Girls. I'm not sure Tyler Perry knows how to cater to leading lady actresses. They probably read the script and declined because they are sharing screen time with 9 other actresses. Which probably equates to about 12 minutes of total screen time. He should've made it a two or three hander script with Halle, Angela, and Oprah as the main characters and everybody else have supporting roles.
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