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Mary J. Confirmed for Nina Simone Role

Jen Fad · Monday, May 17th 2010 at 7:20PM · 376 views
The checks keep coming in for Mary J. Blige, who has signed on to play jazz icon Nina Simone after years of being rumored as a favorite for the role. Pop the hood for details.

Mary J. Blige has signed on to play Nina Simone in a biopic of the legendary singer. The Brave One writer Cynthia Mort penned the script for the film, which is currently titled Nina . Mort is also set to direct the film, which focuses on Simone’s relationship later in life with her assistant Clifton Henderson, played by David Oyelowo (The Last King of Scotland).

With a current budget of $10 million, the film is scheduled to begin shooting in France this September.

For those of you unfamiliar with Nina Simone’s work, check out footage from one of her performance’s above:

This is definitely a big deal for Mary — she hasn’t done a lot of acting and she’s been entrusted with a very difficult job, portraying a woman who was an important civil rights activist in addition to her accomplishments as a legendary singer and musician. While Blige’s diva status ensures she can relate to the music icon on some level, this role will undoubtedly present some challenges to Mary.

Are you confident that Mary is capable of the role? Or do you think the part should have gone to a more experienced actress?

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Mary J. Confirmed for Nina Simone Role

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Jen Fad Central Jersey, NJ

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Comments (15)

Cynthia Merrill Artis Monday, May 17th 2010 at 9:00PM

ooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhheeeewwwwwweeeeeeeeeee.... Loves me some NINA.... I hope Mary can play Miss Diva Simone.... Now you know... I bet Miss Jill Scott can handle this role... even Angela Bassett!!! Jen.... imma be so madd.... if they mess this up.... Nina Simone is not just a typical musician... she's an activist... legendary and led a very very private life.... Her music speaks volumes for this woman.....

Cynthia Merrill Artis Monday, May 17th 2010 at 9:03PM

JEN... NONONONNNNOOOOOOOOOO..... Mary can't do dat!!

Richard Kigel Monday, May 17th 2010 at 10:46PM

And her voice doesn't match. NIna was cool and had a low voice. MJB is smokin and her voice soars.

We'll see. I am glad somebody attempted to do Nina.

Cynthia Merrill Artis Tuesday, May 18th 2010 at 12:10AM

But Rich... I don't think Mary can pull off Nina's style!!
That's like Fantasia trying to do Miss Ella Fitzgerald.... NO way!! I like the MJB... BUT hey I don't know here

Jen Fad Wednesday, May 19th 2010 at 11:21AM

MJ resembles Nina in some ways, but Mary J can't act.

Jen Fad Wednesday, May 19th 2010 at 11:22AM

hopefully they'll use Nina's own music and voice and let MJ move her sips... Ha!

Richard Kigel Wednesday, May 19th 2010 at 1:47PM

My opinion? I think the role calls for a gifted actor. The voice can be dubbed. A mature woman who can show the range of emotional depth Nina possed.

I like Alfre Woodard.



Richard Kigel Wednesday, May 19th 2010 at 1:48PM

And by the way, this is a great song.

Thanks, again Jen!!!

Siebra Muhammad Wednesday, May 19th 2010 at 3:31PM

Mary is a remarkable woman. There is no doubt in my mind that she will do an excellent job portraying Nina.

Jen Fad Thursday, May 20th 2010 at 10:35AM

@ Clark I think Toni would be a better choice than Mary J for portrayal of Nina. What about Fantasia or J. Hud?
@ Rich I was thinking Alfre, too.
@ Siebra Have you seen Mary J act? I have-- she's horrible, but hopefully for Nina's sake she will be given acting lessons. Sorry no offense intended sis.

Siebra Muhammad Thursday, May 20th 2010 at 11:09AM

I took a good look at Alfre on TV yesterday and I agree with Rich, she does resemble Nina a bit. However, I have seen Mary in the BET movie "Prison Song" with the rapper Q-Tip where she played a single mother aspiring to be a lawyer. I think that she did well in that movie. Let's just hope she does twice as better in this one.

Jen Fad Thursday, May 20th 2010 at 3:57PM

Siebra... she has potential and hopefully she will do Nina justice so that Ms. Simone won't be rollin' over in the grave. ((smile))

Cynthia Merrill Artis Thursday, May 20th 2010 at 6:31PM

MJB is a singer... She sings with passion and so much soul... In Prison Song... Her role was supporting... after she had the breakdown... that was the end of her acting....

I've even seen Alicia Keys act.... In the Bees movie and I was quite impressed....
Nina is an artist, activist, her style is unique.. When I look at characters... Its like Rich says... have an emotional debth...

Fantasia... I could see playing that role...

Nina reminds me of Maya A.... who can reach deep down to the depths like her.... YOU'VE found Nina...

Oh by the way.... Alicia will play the role of Ms. Lena Horne....

Cynthia Merrill Artis Thursday, May 20th 2010 at 6:34PM

Clark.... Toni Braxton.... yes... she has the deep sultry voice... and she can change ranges... she lives a personal life and too is an activist and spokeswoman for educationing about downs syndrome

Richard Kigel Thursday, May 20th 2010 at 6:51PM

One thing Mariah Carey had to do for her role in the movie PRECIOUS was to drop her diva act and become an ordinary homely kind of girl.

Now that called for some acting--but she managed it.

Diana Ross rose to the occasion for LADY SINGS THE BLUES. She got an Academy Award nomnination.

This will be the chance of a lifetime for MJB. I think she's got the tools and the gifts. I am rooting for her. Let's hope the director knows what he is doing.





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