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Where is the Lena Horne biopic?
Published by Clay Cane on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 12:00 am.
The iconic Lena Horne turned 92 on June 30th and Stormy Weather, the biography written by James Gavin, hit Amazon’s Top 100. The book has received good reviews and even gotten praise from Oprah’s gal pal Gayle King. Legendary colomunist Liz Smith, ranted on Variety.com: “There is, of course, word whizzing about for a movie. In late 2007, Oprah announced her plan to star Alicia Keys as Lena in a biopic. But we haven’t heard anything on that front since.”
Lena Mary Calhoun Horne was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1917. By 17 years-old she had a featured role in the Cotton Club Parade and would go on to join several other orchestras and bands. Lena received immense pressure from management and industry insiders (Black and White) to “pass” for White or Hispanic. Horne aggressively refused and when she finally came to Hollywood she refused to play a maid. Lena Horne was considered to play the lead role in 1951’s Showboat, but Ava Gardner was chosen because interracial relationships were banned in films. However, according to Wikipedia, “MGM executives required Gardner to practice her singing using recordings of Horne performing the songs, which offended both actresses.” Ain’t that something?
This is a biopic that we need and I can’t understand why no one is on it, considering biopics are usually successful and Oscar worthy.
First, Janet Jackson was set to play Lena Horne but allegedly was booted from the project after the infamous “wardrobe malfunction.” The biopic was actually set to be a made for TV movie on ABC.
Then, as Smith mentioned, Alicia Keys was to play Horne but all talks of that have vanished.
I want to see the film made but I would love to see an actor tackle the role versus a singer. Paula Patton, Jurnee Smollett, or even Nicole Ari Parker would be good choices.
Happy belated birthday to the great Lena Horne!
Good Morning! “Where is the lena Horne biopic?”
Nile Ebony I’m clapping for you. You are sooooo right!
I never heard of a Lena Horne biopic…I do think that was a little ridiculous pulling Janet from doing the movie though..We as African Americans should uplift one another and since Lena dealt with her share of controversy she should have embraced Janet and gave her a chance….Alicia is a good choice for the job because she sort of resembles Ms. Horne but, its not about looks all the time…its about talent we know Alicia can sing and she is one of my favorite singers but, im not so sure about her acting skills…I feel that an actress should take on this role..just like Halle did in Introducing Dorthy Dandrige or Angela Bassett as Tina Turner both Oscar deserving stars in my opinion…I like when singers do cross and start acting but, i think sometimes the actors and actresses need to act.
I think Janet Jackson is a wonderful singer and actress, but she looks nothing like Lena Horne. You might as well ask George Lopez or a sock puppet to play her. Ms. Jackson and Ms. Horne are both beautiful women but they don’t look similar. That’s just my opinion though. How about Jada Pinkett Smith? I know she’s already working on a tv show but just throwing that out there. I also think Thandi Newton is a great actress and beautiful. I know these women don’t necessarily “look” like her either but just throwing them out there. : ) I could also see Lisa Bonet playing her. If the film was done in the 1980s, I could have seen Phylicia Rashad as well.
Nile Ebony & Des took the words right outta my mouth so, there’s nothing for me to add, except that that movie won’t ever get made and that all likelihood that it would ever see the light of day was dead in the water when Horne booted Janet from the role. Janet is a fantastic actress ,as well as singer and she would’ve done the same justice for Horne as Jamie Foxx did for Ray Charles had she’d been given that chance.
I think that Alicia keys would be the best person for this role. Why is this woman being so picky?Alicia has a very strong resemblence to her and I think she would do a fantastic job!I vote for Alicia keys all the way. Please don’t tell me the;re thinking about bey doing the movie!!!
I think Alicia Keys would be the best choice! She even looks like her.
Alicia Keys would be great for the act. Take Mariah Carey into consideration also and then Beyonce’ the Diva…I agree with Melissa
For anyone to play Lena…they would have to be able to be made up to look white or hispanic. I am sorry but Janet cannot pass for anything but black. A big part of Lena’s story is people wanting her to pass for not being black so that needs to be taken into consideration when choosing an actress…..if the movie ever gets made.
I am the biggest Alicia Keys fan and I think that this movie should be made with Alicia. She has perfect acting skills along with perfect singing skills. She is way better than anyone out there. I hope that she will take on this role and make it a huge movie.
I LOVE YOU ALICIA KEYS!!!!
Nile Ebony you are the one who is an idiot; how dare you talk about Ms. Horne like that….where is the respect….The younger generation will NEVER EVER fully understand what our elders have when thru for my generation and the next generation so now we can enjoy the FRUITS FROM THEIR LABOR……..(not our labor)….I love you Ms. Horne and happy after birthday. I wish you a many more birthdays….
I don’t think it’s right to disrespect Ms. Lena Horne like that. She has paved the way for black actresses today because she signed a contract refusing to be a maid or some white family’s “mammy”, and because of it she did not get everything she deserved but she stood her ground. I would love for her biopic to get into process because this is something we need to do while she is still here. However, at 92 she looks amazing and that’s what I look up to…she has sustained so well and as a black woman that’s how I want to be. I think if Alicia gets the role she will focus in and do an excellent job…I just want everyone to get started with it because I can’t wait to see it!
i think Paula Patton, or Jurnee Smollet especially will be right for this role
Ok, now why are some of you talking like there is a concrete movie in the works saying that so n’ so should play Horne? There isn’t a movie @ all. This movie originally had Janet starring as Horne & being the excecutive producer. But, after Horne wanted Janet removed from the project, the producers of the film went w/ her (like Nile stated) so, there’s no movie. There’s a script but, that’s it. And, Oprah did talk about taking over (for a hot sec.) and then, she never spoke of it again. For Keys, Carey, and all the rest of these other ppl to be considered for the Horne role, the studio would have to start all over again which, they haven’t done since Janet left.
JANET JACKSON LOOKS NOTHING LIKE LENA HORNE………..Lena Horne has the RIGHT to choose whomever to play, LENA HORNE in her biopic. Don’t criticize a woman who has paved the way for black actors and actresses just because she did not want Janet to play her in the film.
I think Alicia Keys would be the perfect fit for the rola of Lena Horne not only does she favors her,but she can transform herself into Harlem Renaissance goddness. Ive always thought that Alicia would be the perfect fit, they had Janet Jackson in talks of playing her, and the first person I knew that would play her best was Alicia Keys.
I think Alicia Keys would be the perfect fit for the rola of Lena Horne not only does she favors her,but she can transform herself into Harlem Renaissance goddess. Ive always thought that Alicia would be the perfect fit, they had Janet Jackson in talks of playing her, and the first person I knew that would play her best was Alicia Keys.
im loving u alicia keys so dont worry about what people say and persue your dreams
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[...] Lena in a biopic. But we haven’t heard anything on that front since. ” Lena Mary Calhoun Horne click for more var _wh = ((document.location.protocol==’https:’) ? “https://sec1.woopra.com” : [...]