Nick Cannon as Arthur Ashe
Filed under: Drama, Sports, Casting, Newsstand
After a role in Emilio Estevez's Bobby, it seems that Nick Cannon is gearing up for another true story set in the 1960's. Even if you don't recognize his name, you've probably seen his face lurking on the covers of DVDs like Drumline and Underclassman. He's sort of the next Will Smith, in the way that he had his own rap duo, Da Bomb Squad, and is stacking up a number of acting roles. Ace Showbiz has reported that Cannon has landed the starring role in a biopic on famous tennis player, Arthur Ashe -- the only African-American tennis star to win the men's singles at the Australian Open, the US Open and Wimbledon. Ashe was also a vocal civil rights activist, speaking out against South African apartheid and the treatment of Haitian refugees.
Unfortunately, his life was cut short when he succumbed to AIDS, which he contracted from a blood transfusion. It might sound like heavy stuff, but Cannon claims that the film will follow Ashe's earlier years, and how he became a legend. This is probably a good thing, when you consider this quote Scott Weinberg's upcoming Sundance review of Weapons and the actor's performance: "Nick Cannon, the biggest name in the cast, provides clear proof that his acting skills are about on par with those of an actual cannon." Perhaps Smith should scrap Ashe's younger life, take over the role himself, and give the film a better chance.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-24-2007 @ 1:34AM
GhaleonQ said...
*weeps*
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1-26-2007 @ 8:44PM
Justblue said...
You've got to be kidding me? What is Will thinking? What about Golden Globe nominee, Michael Ealy?
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1-27-2007 @ 2:54PM
Nae said...
Nick Cannon is a good choice, but Ealy would have been a better one. Cannon seems to get cocky and Ealy is classy. If Cannon does his homework and the script is written well he outta be OK.
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1-29-2007 @ 3:37PM
Greg said...
While Nick is good he is far from being the next Will Smith. I do not see Nick doing this type of role and actually making it believable. This is a big role and I honestly do not think he has what it takes to pull it off. It's kind of like casting Chris Rock as the Pope.
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1-27-2007 @ 4:15PM
Patty said...
Justblue, judging by your comment, "What is Will thinking?", I think you misunderstood: Will Smith is not the director of the movie - Nick Cannon is being compared to Will Smith.
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1-27-2007 @ 4:30PM
christblackman7 said...
Michael Ealy definitely has the chops to play this role. I suppose the fact that Nick is somewhat of a bigger actor and has a little more mass appeal added to the fact that when he squints, he sorta resembles the late Ashe as to why he was selected. Come to think of it, I guess it's primarily mass appeal. Think of Ali and Will Smith's rendition. I know if it were based solely on looks or ability, it would have been played by the young man from E.R. (whose name escapes me) because he DEFINITELY looks like a young Ali. I hope Nick BRINGS IT in this career making/breaking role.
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1-27-2007 @ 5:22PM
Ashley said...
Even though Nick has skills,Will is way better and Nick can NEVER be as good as Will.Will is just too good.
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1-27-2007 @ 8:09PM
Randy Kaplan said...
The "young black man from E. R." must be one Eriq LaSalle, as the movie is about an African-American. I can't believe that unique spelling would escape anybody.
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1-27-2007 @ 11:14PM
Justblue said...
Patty, you're absolutely right I misread the article. However, I do remember reading somewhere this week that Will Smith in somehow involved in the production of this film. (Ent. Wkly - 2/2/07 - pg. 15 sidebar). I am mixing my entrtainment news. Again no offense to Cannon, I think he has talent, but for something like what I hope this film would be, I think a different type of actor needs to be cast.
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1-27-2007 @ 11:20PM
Justblue said...
The other "young black man from ER" you may be thinking about is Sharif Atkins. He played Gallant for a few seasons and his character was killed off last year.
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3-01-2007 @ 1:01PM
Clifford Walllace III said...
I'm a screen writer and I know Nick Cannon. I wish him the best in this role. If I was in Will's position as the owner of the production company, Over Brook which is producing this film. I would take some pressure off of Nick and let him play the younger years of Arthur Ashe and make that aspect of the movie shorter, and play the older Arthur Ashe myself (Will Smith) and give viewers the whole story.
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