Tribeca Films Tagged Articles at Cinematical

It was only just a little over a month ago when Jeffery had the news of an upcoming film on the life of rock legend Freddie Mercury. So, it shouldn't be a surprise that already rumors are flying fast and furious as to who is going to get play Mercury in the upcoming biopic.

An article in the UK newspaper The Independent * spoke with Queen guitarist Brian May about the project. May had announced that Johnny Depp might be in line for the part of Mercury. May was pretty guarded about making any promises, as he stated that "Discussions are at an early stage," with the actor. However, it seems like May and other band members are supportive of the idea of Depp in the role, saying Depp was "fantastic" and "He would be a worthy counterpart for Freddie on screen". The project is thought to be under Robert DeNiro's Tribeca Films, since DeNiro had put his own money behind the current Queen stage musical We Will Rock You, after meeting May and Queen drummer Roger Taylor at the Venice Film Festival in 1996.

Since this is all just speculation at this point, it could be a while before anyone signs on the dotted line. But, I have to admit it would be nice to see Depp on land again. If nothing else, if they decide re-enact the video for I Want To Break Free, at least we know for certain that Depp can handle walking in heels.

*Correction: The comments regarding Depp in the role originated on May's website and not in The Independent.

[via JoBlo.com]

Apparently inspired by the relative success of such rap biopics as 50 (rest assured I'm thinking "Fitty" as I type that) Cent's Get Rich or Die Tryin' and 8 Mile, which Variety seems to suggest was based on Eminem's life, Universal has picked up the rights to a movie based on the life of Missy Elliot. Written by Dianne Houston but developed with the help of both Missy and her manager, the movie will be produced by well-known rap lover Robert De Niro and his partner Jane Rosenthal via their Tribeca Films banner.

The film has no title or director yet, but it's understood that Missy, whose previous screen appearances have been limited to a couple of supporting roles so small they're basically cameos, will star. I don't know about anyone else, but I would be deliriously happy if Hype Williams directed the thing. All he'd have to do is put Missy back in that garbage bag suit from the video for The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly) and bust out the fisheye lens for an hour and a half or so -- don't tell me that wouldn't be a better movie than, say, White Girls.