There is Oscar buzz in the air, but there also is talk of upcoming films about beloved musicians as well as singers venturing into acting and artists contributing new songs to movies.
Warner Bros. announced that it intends to remake the 1992 hit The Bodyguard. Fear not: The storyline will be modernized as the stalker will be taunting the diva through online media and social websites.
Rihanna is rumored to be reprising Whitney Houston's role. My vote goes to a Chicago vocal powerhouse who has proven she can act and be vulnerable: Jennifer Hudson. As far as actresses who can sing, there are Jane Krakowski, the ageless Vanessa Williams, Mandy Moore and everybody on Glee. Let's hope the reboot will steer clear of casting Mariah Carey, Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson. Madonna and Janet Jackson have been box-office draws in the past, but belting out a power ballad like Houston? Only if the new spin on The Bodyguard is science fiction.
Houston returns to the big screen in the update of Sparkle, with American Idol winner Jordin Sparks in the lead role. Although Houston made a comeback with her 2009 album I Look to You, the subsequent tour left fans irate, as her weathered voice could not deliver. Hopefully Sparkle will have her back in our good graces.
Reese Witherspoon's production company purchased the rights to Peggy Lee's story. The sultry singer-songwriter and actress scored multiple hits like "Mañana (Is Soon Enough for Me)," "Why Don't You Do Right" and "Fever," which topped the club charts in 1993, thanks to Madonna. In the '90s, Lee won a legal battle over Walt Disney for proper royalties for her contributions to the animated classic Lady and the Tramp.
The biopic will be based on Miss Peggy Lee: An Autobiography. The Legally Blonde actress won an Oscar for her portrayal of June Carter in Walk the Line.
Openly gay disco siren Sylvester is said to be the topic of an upcoming movie and documentary. Joshua Gamson wrote the biography The Fabulous Sylvester in 2005 and an episode of TVOne's Unsung is devoted to the late singer. Sylvester performed in the San Francisco drag troupe The Cockettes and then scored dance hits with "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)," "Dance (Disco Heat)" and "Do You Wanna Funk." In 1988 he died from AIDS-related complications.
Liberace's life is being transformed into a motion picture as well. Michael Douglas will portray the flamboyant pianist and Matt Damon will play his lover.
Making a transition from the stage to the big screen is Rock of Ages. The cast certainly is a motley crew, with Tom Cruise, Mary J. Blige, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Russell Brand, American Idol finalist Constantine Maroulis and pro wrestler Kevin Nash. Rock of Ages is due out June 2012.
Similarly, the successful musical Jersey Boys is pegged to be turned into a film as well.
Another adaptation of Les Miserables is in the works, too; this time it will be a musical. The latest take is slated to have Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman, Helena Bonham Carter and Russell Crowe on board.
Clint Eastwood is planning on helming a new version of A Star is Born with Beyoncé. Leonardo DiCaprio previously was tied to the project. Hollywood has seen three previous incarnations of this story of a singer's rise to fame with Janet Gaynor, Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand in the lead role respectively.
Producer Graham King stated that the long-awaited piece with Sacha Baron Cohen as Queen's frontman, Freddie Mercury, is moving forward. Filming is scheduled to start next year per cinemablend.com .
Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton square off against each other as rivaling choir directors in the musical comedy Joyful Noise, which will be in theaters Jan. 13.
Got "Tennessee Homesick Blues?" Parton's music can be heard in the upcoming DVD release of the family drama The Year Dolly Parton Was My Mom, and she is the centerpiece of the gay documentary Hollywood to Dollywood.
Last year Trent Reznor shed his industrial image by scoring The Social Network. After winning an Oscar for his work, Reznor is scoring the remake to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Both movies feature David Fincher as the director.
In the film's trailer, Karen O. of Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Atticus Ross join the man behind Nine Inch Nails for a cover of Led Zeppelin's "The Immigrant Song." This cut will be on the official soundtrack as is a remake of Bryan Ferry's "Is Your Love Strong Enough?" Few recall that Reznor had a cameo as a keyboardist sporting shoulder pads in Joan Jett's 1987 movie, Light of Day.
Madonna directs the period piece W.E. and rumor has it that she also is contributing the ballad "Masterpiece" to be played during the end credits.
I patiently wait for Sophie B. Hawkins' forthcoming album, The Crossing, which will be out Feb. 28. In the meantime, her new track "Life Is a Bomb" can be heard in New Year's Eve, the unofficial sequel to the star-studded Valentine's Day.
The works of Sinead O'Connor have appeared on multiple soundtracks, such as In Name of the Father, Veronica Guerin and You've Got Mail. The Irish songbird returns with "Lay Your Head Down" for Albert Nobbs, in which Glenn Close stars as the titular character. This should keep fans' interest piqued until O'Connor releases her album of new material, How About I Be Me & You Be You.
