Halle Berry, the OSCAR winning actress and star of ‘Die Another Day’ and ‘X-Men’, says she would not be able to take on the role of ARETHA FRANKLIN in a planned biopic because she cannot sing, reports E! News. During a recent interview with WENDY WILLIAMS, Franklin was asked who she would like to play her in the rumoured movie, to which she replied that Berry would be “her pick”.
TMZ reports that Gabriel Aubry filed a paternity petition back in December of 2010. A source tells TMZ that at least in terms of child custody, visitation or support, Halle and Gabriel pretty much worked that out themselves…with their lawyers. Whatever arrangement they worked out seems to be going along smoothly. Gabriel just wanted to “put it on paper.” Only time will tell how things will turn out.
Halle Berry has no business portraying Aretha Franklin on film and shows great wisdom in leaving the role alone. She looks nothing like her. And there are no singers that can beat Aretha at being Aretha which is what this is all about. You’d end up with as nonsensical a product as Lady Sings the Blues which had a lot more to do with Hollywood than it did with Billie Holiday. “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” the homage to Tina Turner, is the about the only biographical film for a singer that’s worked so far. (No, don’t bring up Susan Hayward.) The public can stand to be spared another attempt for a while.
I have been a great, great fan of Ms. Franklin for many years and think she is worthy of far more than a film production that will end up being just a lot of junk. She’s a great singer with great musical intelligence whom deserves a great actress prepared to deliver as much on film as Ms. Franklin has on record. Hollywood is not ready for all that yet.
What would be great is for the persons handling the late Sidney Pollack’s filming of her while she recorded the Amazing Grace album to get on the ball and get the thing in the stores. I can’t think of a greater tribute to her at present.
Of course I’m hoping Lady Soul comes through this illness unscathed but should not my wish be granted Id like to see resulting works meant to be tributes to her be enlightening. What I’d like to know about Aretha, is more about her musical history and what prompted decisions she made in regard to it. I’d like to know about Carolyn and Erma. I also have never forgotten that from the beginning Aretha was tight lipped when it came to her life and family.