What Would Sam BioPic be titled? Who should star?
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carlossheen — 19 years ago(May 16, 2006 05:39 PM)
William Jmaes Jones would be good for the part,he was in a tv show in the early 90s called california dreams.i could see don chedal as one of the soul stirrers,terrence howard could play sams brother lc cooke,den is a lil too old but could probly play sams friend clyde mcphatter.thats just my 2cents
charlie -
anthsaunt — 19 years ago(September 26, 2006 11:01 PM)
I agree with you Love, his life story is long overdue. I also agree with the person who suggested Blair Underwood on this thread. In terms of looks, I think he resembles Sam Cooke. Does anyone know if he has an singing ability?
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scooke-6 — 19 years ago(October 14, 2006 06:17 AM)
My thought is that the actor should be someone knows, but needs the right movie to take him to the next level (like "Ray" did Jamie Foxx who, incidentally is going to play Bob Marley in his life story as well). It has been suggested by a friend that Randy Goodwin (Girlfriends as the restaurant owner/CSI Miami as Jason Whitney) play the roleand I can see him pulling it offbut he isn't a household name yet. And unfortunately Denzel (50+) and Blair Underwood (40+) are too old for the part.
My choice of the actor who would fit that bill would be Terrence Howard. He almost broke through with "Hustle and Flow", but this could be an Oscar-worthy role for him. He has the looks, and from his por5b4trayal of Quentin in "The Best Man," he has the charisma.
My feeling is that the Sam Cooke movie has been held up so long because of the ending. Trust me, peopleSam didn't die as reported. Most hard-core "Cookies" (and his family) don't accept the facts surrounding his death. The theatres would probably be in uproar if the movie studios tried to force the "official" story of his demise down our throats.
That's just my opinion; I could be wrong. -
ksbayer — 19 years ago(October 31, 2006 04:49 AM)
For a title, how about "Dream Boogie"? The title of Peter Guralnick's biography of Sam Cooke.
I don't think a "famous" actor needs to play Sam Cooke. A young, relatively unknown actor would be great. He wouldn't necessarily have to look exactly like Sam Cooke, as long as he could bring the spirit of the real person to the role. If the film had some famous stars for the other roles (Denzel could play Sam's father, for instance), I think it could be successful. -
inthepalemoonlight — 19 years ago(January 13, 2007 10:40 PM)
Some of these choices are downright ridiculous.
Denzel? As someone posted he's too old for the role and I'm tired of him appearing in biopoics. He's been down that road enough.
Don Cheadle? Don Cheadle?!? Have some of you seen Sam Cooke looked? Suggesting Cheadle to play Cooke is like suggesting Adrian Brody to play Elvis! No offense to Don who is a brilliant actor but he is not right for the role. Don is an okay looking guy, Sam Cooke was a man whom made women swoon not with just his voice but with his looks. Again would you have so-so looking Brody play the King of Rock? Of course not. Plus if you're not going to get a very, very good looking guy to play Cooke then you at least should get a guy who can sing like him. Cheadle doesn't fit either category. Cheadle has though been mentioned to play Sammy davis Jr (he actually played him in an HBO movie) and Miles Davis. That's where his interests lay.
Wesley Jonathan? I'd rather go with a total unknown then some dude who still has both a lot to prove and hasn't been i that any impressive projects in the first place. The guy may have potential but I'm not sure if this part is for him.
Blair Underwood? He still looks as if he's in his 30s and he definitely has the looks for the role, but it may be too late to bank on a leading-man movie career for him.
Terrence Howard? Doesn't look a thing like the man. And like Denzel he too better be careful of not falling into the playing-real-people trap.
Mehki Phifer? Give me a break. Cooke was not only taller and better looking, he also had a warm smile that drew you in. Phifer is a hell of an actor but he has the smile of a conniving snake.
The guy from California Dreams? What are you folks smoking?
Anthony Mackie is a great actor and a good looking guy but not at the level of handsomeness as Cooke. As a straight male its kind of ridiculous of me to say this but, hey, if straight females can make such judgments concerning female celebs then I suppose I can too.
Jesse Martin? Its a travesty if he even gets the marvin gaye role? Looks nothing like h7ecim unless he's playing Marvin whe he was old and balding. Since Cooke never became old and never went bald I don't see why you would even consider him in the first place.
This just points out how badly Hollywood has been at creating black, male matinee idols. Not enough black movie idol leading men to choose from and not enough being developed and given roles (why do that when you can hand out a role to a rapper, right?).
I say go with an unknown or go out and look for a guy. Nia Long was dating this younger male singer for awhile who was being touted as the next Sam Cooke/Marvin Gaye. I forgot his name though and his debut album did not make much of an impact. Word was he was doing some acting. Maybe he should audition. Perhaps Laz Alonso should as well. -
kathys1977 — 19 years ago(February 01, 2007 10:18 PM)
I like the suggestion of Jesse L. Martin.. that way if they dont use Sam cookes vocal tracks jesse could sing them ( like Kevin Spacey in Beyond The Sea). Jesse has an FANTASTIC voice. If you dont believe me watch rent!!
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carlossheen — 18 years ago(April 12, 2007 07:01 AM)
well i was the one who suggested william james jones.he looks like around the time of "you send me"2000;,hes from chicago(like sam),he dances and sings.i mean we cant be too picky,at least someone didnt mention "Leon" the guy that played david ruffin,little richard,one of the 5 heartbeats,and all the other roles he has played.the wesley fellow looks like sam when he was with the soul stirrers,although a little skinny he could problly pull it off.
charlie sheen -
EuphoricDream — 18 years ago(April 28, 2007 06:43 PM)
I already posted this in another thred here but:
http://www.jaugustrichards.com/
Check out his gallery for other pictures.
He can play Mr. Cooke. I think he is a good actor that needs a break and this could be it for him. -
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lbatista81 — 18 years ago(July 30, 2007 10:58 AM)
For whatever reason a biopic has never been able to get off the ground. From what I hear some people are a little afraid digging into Sam's life might cause trouble since he died in a mysterious way. In any case I think Khalil Kain would be perfect looks-wise for the role.
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surf_sussman — 18 years ago(August 10, 2007 02:46 AM)
I'm a huge fan of Sam an5b4d even went so far to read the 800 page "Soul Boogie" biography on the guy. I don't know for who to play Sam, but as for a title, I've got a few
"Keep Movin' On" - one of the last recordings Sam ever did and one of his most powerful.
"Night Beat" - my favorite album by the guy and truly shows his soul.
"That's Where It's At" - not sure if the guy coined the term or not with the lyrics, but this would be great. -
sjoh180613 — 18 years ago(September 03, 2007 10:19 AM)
I believe Denzel could pull the role off playing Sam Cooke, after all in '99 he did play a twenty something Ruben Carter in his forties. Denzel has not really aged. But if he is considered too old the Sam Cooke role should clearly go to up and comer Columbus Short. The kid can act.