David Alan Grier and the ensemble cast of The Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess stopped by Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last night to perform “Ain’t necessarily so” from their hit Broadway revival. “Late night” is currently celebrating the great white way by featuring performances from popular Broadway productions during it’s Broadway week.

Grier, who is a two-time Tony nominee for his work in Race and The First, is joined in Porgy and Bess by multiple Tony winner Audra McDonald and Drama Desk nominee Norm Lewis. The musical officially opened at Broadway’s Richard Rodgers Theater on January 12, and will run throughout the summer. Watch the performance below:

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Playright Katori Hall‘s ”Hurt Village” is currently playing through March 18th at the The Pershing Square Signature Center, with an official opening on February 27th.

‘Hurt Village’ features Marsha Stephanie Blake (The Merchant of Venice; Joe Turner’s Come and Gone), Nicholas Christopher (Rent, In the Heights), Corey Hawkins (Suicide, Incorporated), Charlie Hudson III (The Piano Lesson), Ron Cephas Jones (Gem of the Ocean, The Bridge Project), Joaquina Kalukango (Godspell), Tonya Pinkins (Caroline,”All My Children”), Saycon Sengbloh (Fela!, Hair) and Lloyd Watts (Treme).

It’s the end of a long summer in Hurt Village, a housing project in Memphis, Tennessee. A government Hope Grant means relocation for many of the project’s residents, including Cookie, a thirteen year-old aspiring rapper, along with her mother Crank and great-grandmother Big Mama. As the family prepares to move, Cookie’s father Buggy unexpectedly returns from a tour of duty in Iraq. Ravaged by the war, Buggy struggles to find a position in his disintegrating community, along with a place in his daughter’s wounded heart.

Marsha Stephanie Blake, Saycon Sengbloh, Joaquina Kalukango

The cast

Ron Cephas Jones

Tonya Pinkins

Saycon Sengbloh

Nicholas Christopher

Joaquina Kalukango

Nicholas Christopher, Corey Hawkins

Charlie Hudson, III

Photos: Joan Marcus

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Frederick M. Brown/Getty

Meagan Good is speaking out about her involvement in a rumored Whitney Houston biopic. The actress revealed to E! Online that the project was already in the works before the singer’s untimely passing. Good also confirmed that will play Houston in the project.

“We were fairly in the beginning stages,” she says, adding that she was meant to have a meeting with Houston this week to discuss the project.

In previous meetings, the two had discussed how the biopic would end. Adds Good, “My feeling is because she has the film Sparkle coming out and she’s brilliant in it and she looks beautiful and healthy, my feeling was that’s how we should end the movie — as a new beginning for her.”

The actress added that it’s too soon to worry about whether the film will be made, then shared her fondness of the late singer. “For anybody spending time around Whitney, she’s so much fun,” says Good. “She’s got a sassy attitude and is very funny and funky. She’s definitely a fun person to be around.”

Good’s film credits include “Video Girl,” “Eve’s Bayou,” and “Jumping The Broom.” She can be seen next in the film adaptation of “Think Like a Man,” followed up by the new indie flick “Dysfunctional Friends.” The actress can also be seen on the new season of “Californication.”

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We are excited to announce the winners of our Black History Month Blu-ray giveaway. Congratulations to Cherney Amhara and T Pope Jackson. The two lucky winners will receive Spike Lee’s ‘Malcolm X‘ 20th anniversary Blu-ray disc set.

On Feb. 21, 1965, the former Nation of Islam leader Malcolm X was shot and killed by assassins identified as Black Muslims as he was about to address the Organization of Afro-American Unity at the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem. He was 39.

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Kat Graham sat down with TV Guide to discuss her on-screen love life on the hit series “Vampire Diaries.” The actress dishes on the possibility of a new romance between her Jamie, a new character played by Robert Ri’chard‎ (One on One). The actress assures viewers that her character is not a “hoe” and isn’t quick to hook up with people just because they look good together. Watch her response below.

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The 43rd Annual NAACP Image Awards were held on Friday, February 17 at the Shrine Auditorium. The awards were hosted by Sanaa Lathan and Anthony Mackie. According to Deadline.com, ’The Help’ was the big winner of the night, taking home the award for Outstanding Motion Picture. The film’s stars Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer won Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture.

‘Jumping the Broom’ also took home awards. Laz Alonso and Mike Epps won for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture.

In the music categories, Jennifer Hudson won Outstanding Album and Outstanding Music Video.

For television, ‘Thurgood’ took home the award for Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special and Laurence Fishburne won Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special. ‘Tyler Perry’s House of Payne’ won the award for Outstanding Comedy Series and ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ won Outstanding Drama Series.

The NAACP Image Awards is the nation’s premier event celebrating the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts (television, recording, literature, motion picture and writing & directing), as well as those individuals or groups who promote social justice through their creative endeavors.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s Image Awards honor diversity in the arts.  The full winner’s list is below.

Laz Alonso

Laurence Fishburne

Mike Epps

Viola Davis 
Hill Harper for ‘CSI NY’

Keshia Knight Pulliam

LL Cool J

Taraji P Henson

Regina Hall

Keke Palmer

Emerson Brooks

Octavia Spencer

 THE WINNER’S LIST

MOTION PICTURE

Outstanding Motion Picture
“The Help” (DreamWorks Pictures/
Participant Media/
Touchstone Pictures)

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
Laz Alonso – “Jumping the Broom”
(TriStar Pictures)

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
Viola Davis – “The Help” (DreamWorks Pictures/
Participant Media/
Touchstone Pictures)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Mike Epps – “Jumping the Broom” (TriStar Pictures)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Octavia Spencer – “The Help” (DreamWorks Pictures/
Participant Media/
Touchstone Pictures)

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
“Pariah” (Focus Features)

Outstanding Foreign Motion Picture
“In the Land of Blood and Honey” (FilmDistrict)

DOCUMENTARY

Outstanding Documentary – (Theatrical or Television)
“Sing Your Song” (HBO Documentary Films)

WRITING

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
Salim Akil, Mara Brock Akil – “The Game” – Parachutes….Beach Chairs (BET)

Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series
Lolis Eric Elie – “Treme” – Santa Claus, Do You Ever Get the Blues? (HBO)

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture – (Theatrical or Television)
Ann Peacock – “The First Grader” (National Geographic Entertainment)

DIRECTING

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series
Leonard R. Garner Jr. – “Rules of Engagement” – The Set Up (CBS)

Outstanding Directing in a Dramatic Series
Ernest Dickerson – “Treme” – Do Watcha Wanna (HBO)

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture – (Theatrical or Television)
Salim Akil – “Jumping the Broom” (TriStar Pictures)

TELEVISION CATEGORIES

Outstanding Comedy Series
“Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” (TBS)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
Malcolm-Jamal Warner – “Reed Between the Lines” (BET)

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
Tracee Ellis Ross – “Reed Between the Lines” (BET)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Nick Cannon – “Up All Night” (NBC)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Keshia Knight Pulliam – “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” (TBS)

Outstanding Drama Series
“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (NBC)

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
L.L. Cool J – “NCIS: Los Angeles” (CBS)

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
Regina King – “SouthLAnd” (TNT)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
James Pickens, Jr. – “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Archie Panjabi – “The Good Wife” (CBS)

Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
“Thurgood” (HBO)

Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
Laurence Fishburne – “Thurgood” (HBO)

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
Taraji P. Henson – “Taken From Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story” (Lifetime)

Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Emerson Brooks – “All My Children” (ABC)

Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Tatyana Ali – “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)

Outstanding News/ Information – (Series or Special)
“Unsung” (TV One)

Outstanding Talk Series
“Oprah’s Lifeclass” (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)

Outstanding Reality Series
“Dancing with the Stars” (ABC)

Outstanding Variety Series or Special
“Oprah Presents: Master Class” (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)

Outstanding Children’s Program
“I Can Be President: A Kid’s-Eye View” (HBO)

Outstanding Performance in a Youth/ Children’s Program – (Series or Special)
Keke Palmer – “True Jackson, VP” (Nickelodeon)

Amber Riley

Anika Noni Rose

Sanaa Lathan

Tracee Ellis Ross

Vanessa Williams

Laurence Fishburne

Tiffany Hines

Tia Mowry

Meagan Good

Laz Alonso

Keke Palmer

Holly Robinson Peete

 Alfre Woodard

Garcelle Beauvais

Chandra Wilson

 Zendaya Coleman

Mike Epps

Acting legends Harry Belafonte, Cicely Tyson, Sidney Poiter and Laurence Fishburne.

Anthony Mackie and Sanaa Lathan

George Lucas and Cuba Gooding Jr.

Nelsan Ellis and Viola Davis

Samuel L Jackson and Mike Epps

Laurence Fishburne and James Pickens Jr

Photos: Getty

According to reports on dailymail.co.uk, producers Michael Harrison and David Ian will open The Bodyguard, a musical based on Whitney Houston‘s film of the same name, at London’s Adelphi Theatre in November.

“Thea Sharrock will direct Heather Headley in the role of the rock star Rachel Marron (the part Whitney played). All the songs featured in the movie, including ‘I Will Always Love You’, will be there, and that score will be augmented by a dozen other numbers that Whitney made famous,” dailymail.co.uk reports.

In the 1992 film The Bodyguard, a former secret service agent (Kevin Costner) serves as bodyguard for a mega pop superstar-turned actress (Houston). In the course of protecting the star, they develop a trust and love that is rare for both. The film received Academy(R) and Grammy(R) Award nominations for its songs “I Have Nothing” and “Run to You.”

[via Dailymail]

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Whitney Houston Won’t Say “No” To ‘Waiting to Exhale’ Sequel 

Contactmusic

It’s being reported that the actor will star as Cornelius Hawthorne, a business associate of Pierce Hawthorne’s (Chevy Chase) late father. Given the two actors’ characters share the same last name, we’re assuming theres some sort of surprise relation that’s going to turn Pierce’s life upside down.

Although Esposito began filming his scenes this week, no air date has been specified for the episode since it’s unclear when the comedy series will return to television

Esposito’s television credits include “Breaking Bad,” and “Law & Order.” He can currently be seen on ABC’s “Once Upon a Time.” His film credits include “Malcolm X,” “The Usual Supsects,” and “Do the Right Thing.” He can be seen next on the bigscreen alongside Tyler Perry in the film adaptation of “I, Alex Cross.”

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Giancarlo Esposito To Join ABC’s ‘Once Upon A Time’

Photo: Google

According to the Hollywood Reporter, “Rock joins Bradley Cooper, Tom Cruise, Angelina Jolie, Tom Hanks, Jennifer Lopez and the cast of Bridesmaids as a presenter in the ceremony, which is being held Feb. 26.”

Rock actually hosted the Oscars telecast back in 2005. The actor made fun of the black film market’s limited range during his opening monologue. “At least they make movies for white people to enjoy,” said Rock. “Real movies with plots, with actors–not rappers. With real names like ‘Catch Me if you can,’ and ‘Saving Private Ryan.’ Black movies don’t have real names. You get names like ‘Barbershop.’ That’s not a name, that’s just a location.”

Rock’s film credits include “Grown Ups,” “New Jack City,” and “Lethal Weapon 4.” The actor can be seen next in “2 Days in New York” (opening Mar. 28), and the film adaptation of “What To Expect When You’re Expecting.”

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Pooch Hall (The Game) has joined the cast of Showtime’s drama pilot Ray Donovan starring Liev Schreiber.

Written by Ann Biderman and directed by Allen Coulter, the Showtime-produced project centers on Ray (Schreiber), a professional “fixer” for LA’s rich and famous who can make anyone’s problems disappear, except the ones created by his own family.

Hall will play Daryll, a young fighter who trains at Terry Donovan’s Fite Club, a boxing gym owned by Ray’s brother (Eddie Marsan). Hall is best known for his role as professional football player Derwin Davis on The Game. He will continue on the hit BET comedy, but it will be in second position to Ray Donovan beyond the current fifth season.

Hall, repped by Abrams Artists and attorney Jonathan Shikora, was recently seen in the feature Jumping The Broom, directed by The Game‘s Salim Akil, and just wrapped the indie Live at the Fox’s Den.

[via Deadline]

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Timon Kyle Durrett, the former on-screen love interest of Stacey Dash‘s character on the VH1 series Single Ladies, appears in one of the most dramatic car commercials we have ever seen. Shot last year, the commercial is for the all-new Cadillac SRX Luxury Crossover SUV and it’s currently in nationwide rotation here in the U.S.

Durrett’s life flashes before his eyes as he narrowly escapes a serious auto collision. Fortunately, the stellar brake system on the new ride helps him live another day. Watch the clip below.

It’s unclear whether the actor will return for the second season of “Single Ladies.” Dash has since left the show and been replaced by a new character altogether. Durrett was seen last on a recent episode of “Are You There, Chelsea?” on NBC.

Tyler Perry‘s [heavily publicized] new film, Good Deeds held it’s Hollywood premiere last night at Wolfgang Puck’s 24 at the Ritz Carlton hotel in Los Angeles. The diverse cast including Perry, Thandie Newton, Brian White, Rebecca Romijn, Gabrielle Union, and child star Jordenn Thompson walked the black-carpet. Other stars of Perry’s past projects also showed up to support his new film. Perry proteges Rochelle Ayetes, Michael Jai White, and Kiki Haynes. Check out the flicks below.

Gabrielle Union and Tyler Perry

Thandie Newton, Jordenn Thompson, and Gabrielle Union

Jordenn Thompson

Beverly Johnson

Kiki Haynes, and Michael Jai White

Sharon Leal

Brian White and wife

Jordenn Thompson and Brian White

Rochelle Aytes

Rebecca Romijn, and Tyler Perry

Thandie Newton and Gabrielle Union

Jordenn Thompson and Thandie Newton

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It’s black history month and we’re celebrating by giving two of our lucky facebook fans a Blu-ray disc set of Spike Lee‘s ‘Malcolm X’ starring Denzel Washington.

It’s been 20 years since the theatrical release of Lee’s epic film about the political icon. Warner Home Video and Mr. Lee are celebrating this landmark year with the first-ever Blu-ray premiere of the film, along with the following excellent bonus features:

• Commentary by Spike Lee and his legendary filmmaking team: Director of Photography Ernest Dickerson, Editor Barry Alexander Brown and Costume Designer Ruth Carter • Nine Deleted Scenes with Introduction by Spike Lee • Featurette “By Any Means Necessary: The Making of Malcolm X” • Collectible 40-page companion book with rare images and anecdotes

To enter, visit our facebook page and answer the trivia question of the week. Make sure to “like” us for  your chance to win. Contest ends February 20, 2012 at 11:59pm EST. Must be 18 years old or older. Official rules.

Contest ended.

Courtesy of Warner Home Video/DuVernay Agency.

The 2012 BAFTAs were held on Sunday,12 February, at London’s Royal Opera House.  The event is billed as the British Oscars, honoring this year’s best in film from the UK and US. Some of our favorite shining stars graced the red carpet. The Help’s Octavia Spencer arrived on the red carpet with co-star Viola Davis. Spencer took home the award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as the feisty domestic servant Minnie Jackson. Davis wore a bright salmon dress by Valentino. The gown was made of recycled bottles, the first eco-dress for the Italian label. The actress was nominated for Best Actress for her role in the The Help. Unfortunately, she lost to Meryl Streep. The Thing star Adewale Akinnuoye Agbaje graced the red carpet, along with Skyfall actress Naomie Harris in an eccentric Emilio Pucci yellow gown. Cuba Gooding Jr. looked dapper with a white scarf accessory to his evening wear. Other notable black stars in attendance were rising director Steve McQueen, British actress Zawe Ashton, and Neighborhood Watch star Richard Ayoade. Check out pics from the event below.

Cuba Gooding Jr.

Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje

Naomie Harris

Director Steve McQueen

Zawe Ashton

Richard Ayoade

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The Associated Press is reporting that iconic singer and actress, Whitney Houston is dead. The entertainment icon was in the midst of planning a career comeback. Despite rumors of serious financial trouble and a deadly case of emphysema, Houston recently wrapped filming the big screen remake of the 70′s musical Sparkle, alongside ex-American Idol Jordin Sparks and Gossip Girls‘ Tika Sumpter.

A producer on the film said Saturday night he had actually just seen a rough cut. “I’m in total shock,” executive producer Howard Rosenman told The LA Times. “I have no idea about the impact on ‘Sparkle,’ which I saw last night. [Houston] was unbelievably fantastic in it.”  The film is still scheduled to be released Aug. 17.

[Update, 12:06am, Sunday – Sparkle producer TD Jakes issued a statement Saturday night. “We are deeply saddened by the tragic and untimely passing of Whitney Houston, whom we were blessed to have just completed work with on the remake of the film ‘Sparkle.’ We ask the world to join us in lifting up Whitney’s family in prayer and ask God for their strength and comfort during this devastatingly difficult time,” said Jakes. “At the apex of her career, Whitney had no peer, with a voice that shaped a generation. She has left behind a musical and film legacy that will endure…. she will be sorely missed by us all.”

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Whitney Houston, who reigned as pop music’s queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, has died. She was 48.

Publicist Kristen Foster said Saturday that the singer had died, but the cause and the location of her death were unknown.

At her peak, Houston was the golden girl of the music industry. From the middle 1980s to the late 1990s, she was one of the world’s best-selling artists. She wowed audiences with effortless, powerful, and peerless vocals that were rooted in the black church but made palatable to the masses with a pop sheen.

Her success carried her beyond music to movies, where she starred in hits like “The Bodyguard” and “Waiting to Exhale.”

She had the perfect voice and the perfect image: a gorgeous singer who had sex appeal but was never overtly sexual, who maintained perfect poise. She influenced a generation of younger singers, from Christina Aguilera to Mariah Carey, who when she first came out sounded so much like Houston that many thought it was Houston.

But by the end of her career, Houston became a stunning cautionary tale of the toll of drug use. Her album sales plummeted and the hits stopped coming; her once serene image was shattered by a wild demeanor and bizarre public appearances. She confessed to abusing cocaine, marijuana and pills, and her once pristine voice became raspy and hoarse, unable to hit the high notes as she had during her prime.

“The biggest devil is me. I’m either my best friend or my worst enemy,” Houston told ABC’s Diane Sawyer in an infamous 2002 interview with then-husband Brown by her side.

It was a tragic fall for a superstar who was one of the top-selling artists in pop music history, with more than 55 million records sold in the United States alone.

She seemed to be born into greatness. She was the daughter of gospel singer Cissy Houston, the cousin of 1960s pop diva Dionne Warwick and the goddaughter of Aretha Franklin.

Houston first started singing in the church as a child. In her teens, she sang backup for Chaka Khan, Jermaine Jackson and others, in addition to modeling. It was around that time when music mogul Clive Davis first heard Houston perform.

“The time that I first saw her singing in her mother’s act in a club … it was such a stunning impact,” Davis told “Good Morning America.” “To hear this young girl breathe such fire into this song. I mean, it really sent the proverbial tingles up my spine,” he added.

Before long, the rest of the country would feel it, too. Houston made her album debut in 1985 with “Whitney Houston,” which sold millions and spawned hit after hit. “Saving All My Love for You” brought her her first Grammy, for best female pop vocal. “How Will I Know,” ”You Give Good Love” and “The Greatest Love of All” also became hit singles.

Another multiplatinum album, “Whitney,” came out in 1987 and included hits like “Where Do Broken Hearts Go” and “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.”

The New York Times wrote that Houston “possesses one of her generation’s most powerful gospel-trained voices, but she eschews many of the churchier mannerisms of her forerunners. She uses ornamental gospel phrasing only sparingly, and instead of projecting an earthy, tearful vulnerability, communicates cool self-assurance and strength, building pop ballads to majestic, sustained peaks of intensity.”

Her decision not to follow the more soulful inflections of singers like Franklin drew criticism by some who saw her as playing down her black roots to go pop and reach white audiences. The criticism would become a constant refrain through much of her career. She was even booed during the “Soul Train Awards” in 1989.

“Sometimes it gets down to that, you know?” she told Katie Couric in 1996. “You’re not black enough for them. I don’t know. You’re not R&B enough. You’re very pop. The white audience has taken you away from them.”

Some saw her 1992 marriage to former New Edition member and soul crooner Bobby Brown as an attempt to refute those critics. It seemed to be an odd union; she was seen as pop’s pure princess while he had a bad-boy image, and already had children of his own. (The couple had a daughter, Bobbi Kristina, in 1993.) Over the years, he would be arrested several times, on charges ranging from DUI to failure to pay child support.

But Houston said their true personalities were not as far apart as people may have believed.

“When you love, you love. I mean, do you stop loving somebody because you have different images? You know, Bobby and I basically come from the same place,” she told Rolling Stone in 1993. “You see somebody, and you deal with their image, that’s their image. It’s part of them, it’s not the whole picture. I am not always in a sequined gown. I am nobody’s angel. I can get down and dirty. I can get raunchy.”

It would take several years, however, for the public to see that side of Houston. Her moving 1991 rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” at the Super Bowl, amid the first Gulf War, set a new standard and once again reaffirmed her as America’s sweetheart.

In 1992, she became a star in the acting world with “The Bodyguard.” Despite mixed reviews, the story of a singer (Houston) guarded by a former Secret Service agent (Kevin Costner) was an international success.

It also gave her perhaps her most memorable hit: a searing, stunning rendition of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You,” which sat atop the charts for weeks. It was Grammy’s record of the year and best female pop vocal, and the “Bodyguard” soundtrack was named album of the year.

She returned to the big screen in 1995-96 with “Waiting to Exhale” and “The Preacher’s Wife.” Both spawned soundtrack albums, and another hit studio album, “My Love Is Your Love,” in 1998, brought her a Grammy for best female R&B vocal for the cut “It’s Not Right But It’s Okay.”

But during these career and personal highs, Houston was using drugs. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2010, she said by the time “The Preacher’s Wife” was released, “(doing drugs) was an everyday thing. … I would do my work, but after I did my work, for a whole year or two, it was every day. … I wasn’t happy by that point in time. I was losing myself.”

In the interview, Houston blamed her rocky marriage to Brown, which included a charge of domestic abuse against Brown in 1993. They divorced in 2007. Houston would go to rehab twice before she would declare herself drug-free to Winfrey in 2010. But in the interim, there were missed concert dates, a stop at an airport due to drugs, and public meltdowns.

She was so startlingly thin during a 2001 Michael Jackson tribute concert that rumors spread she had died the next day. Her crude behavior and jittery appearance on Brown’s reality show, “Being Bobby Brown,” was an example of her sad decline. Her Sawyer interview, where she declared “crack is whack,” was often parodied. She dropped out of the spotlight for a few years.

Houston staged what seemed to be a successful comeback with the 2009 album “I Look To You.” The album debuted on the top of the charts, and would eventually go platinum.

Things soon fell apart. A concert to promote the album on “Good Morning America” went awry as Houston’s voice sounded ragged and off-key. She blamed an interview with Winfrey for straining her voice.

A world tour launched overseas, however, only confirmed suspicions that Houston had lost her treasured gift, as she failed to hit notes and left many fans unimpressed; some walked out. Canceled concert dates raised speculation that she may have been abusing drugs, but she denied those claims and said she was in great shape, blaming illness for cancellations.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

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Fresh off his critically acclaimed turn in Sundance’s audience award winner “The Surrogate,” John Hawkes has committed to star opposite Yasiin Bey (aka Mos Def) in the Elmore Leonard adaptation “Switch,” from writer-director Dan Schechter (“Supporting Characters”).

The crime drama will serve as a prequel to Quentin Tarantino’s “Jackie Brown,” with Hawkes and Bey playing younger versions of Robert De Niro and Samuel L. Jackson‘s respective characters Louis Gara and Ordell Robbie, who appear in Leonard’s novel “Rum Punch.”

Set 15 years before the events in “Jackie Brown,” the story follows career criminals Ordell and Louis as they team up to kidnap Mickey Dawson, the wife of a corrupt Detroit real estate developer. When the husband refuses to pay the ransom for his wife’s return, the ex-cons are forced to reconceive their plan, and the angry housewife uses the duo to get her revenge.

The Gotham Group’s Ellen Goldsmith-Vein and Lee Stollman will produce with Michael Siegel (“Be Cool”) and Leonard, while Jim Garavente will exec produce. Production is skedded to start in May.

Schechter rolled the dice in adapting Leonard’s novel on spec, without any permissions cleared in advance. He sent his finished screenplay to Siegel, Leonard’s longtime rep, to share with the author. After reading the script, Leonard and Siegel granted the young filmmaker rights to make the movie, and came on board as producers.

Hawkes’ perf as disabled poet Mark O’Brien in “Surrogate” prompted Fox Searchlight to purchase the Ben Lewin-directed pic for $6 million at Sundance. After earning an Oscar nom for his turn as a Southern criminal in “Winter’s Bone,” Hawkes has appeared in “Contagion” and “Martha Marcy May Marlene,” for which he’s nominated for a Spirit Award. Thesp recently wrapped production on Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln.”

Bey, who recently had a recurring role on Showtime’s “Dexter,” previously starred in “The Italian Job” and “Something the Lord Made,” which credited him as Mos Def.

Gotham’s other producing credits include Paramount’s “The Spiderwick Chronicles” and Lionsgate’s “Abduction,” while Siegel serves as an exec producer on DreamWorks Animation’s upcoming pic “Rise of the Guardians.”

[via Variety]

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