Zoe Saldana To Play Singer Nina Simone In Biopic
Although Mary J. Blige had originally been slated to play the lead in a biopic based on the life of Nina Simone, her face will not be the one we’ll see once the project finally makes it to the big screen. Reportedly, actress Zoe Saldana has stepped in to portray the legendary musician in the movie, which will finally begin filming in October. According to The Hollywood Reporter:
“Zoe Saldana has come aboard to star as the iconic singer in Nina, while David Oyelowo will star as her manager, Clifton Henderson.
Cynthia Mort wrote the script and has been attached as director for several years, even as Mary J. Blige came onto the project as star then moved on due to funding issues.
Those issues appear to be finally settled as the movie is due to begin production Oct. 16 in Los Angeles.”
Along with being a musician, Nina was a staunch civil rights activist. Born Eunice Kathleen Waymon, the North Carolina native used her music to openly address the racial inequality that was prevalent in the United States for the first time with the song “Mississippi Goddam”, her response to the murder of Medgar Evers and the bombing of a church in Birmingham, Alabama that killed four black children. She went on to speak at many civil rights gatherings, including the Selma to Montgomery marches. During that period, a civil rights message was standard in Simone’s recording repertoire.
What do you think of Zoe as Nina??
I think this is an atrocity. If Nina Simone were alive today, I think that she would protest this error in casting. No offense to Zoe Saldana, but she looks nothing like Nina Simone, nor does she possess the strength of character to play such a huge role, as the one and only Nina Simone. I like Zoe Saldana, but not as Nina Simone. I truly feel that Mary J. Blige would have been a much better choice. Is Zoe even a singer??? Mary J. would have done wonders for this role, as I’m sure that being who she is, and coming from where she came from, and being OBVIOUSLY BLACK in AMERICA, she is more likely to have more in common with Nina than Zoe Saldana. I’m so sick and tired of Hollywood portraying all black women as looking alike. Honestly, I’d be happier to see Whoopie Goldberg play this role. Zoe Saldana is not even black. This, is an insult to the memory of Nina Simone. smh.
peace…
You are so ignorant zoe is afro latina and she is perfect for the roll.
Also the more you try to deny giving honor to her and celebrated her the more God will give her more roles like this to shut you up.
It is not about whom is black enough to play the part i am sure you would not say that if it was alicia keyes or beyonce or kerry washington whom are all mix playing the part.
I am black and it is said to say that the black community is still ignorant when it comes to race issues afro latinas are also discriminated against in america and all over the world so stop complaining and know the real facts and stop worrying about who is not black enough
Bad choice. To suggest that anyone less than a full-blooded Black Woman to play this iconic role is a slap in the face to the history of Black People, the legend of an Icon, and the universal perception of “race”. Hollywood should’ve just chosen Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie if they wanted to generate “money”. Zoe is a good actress, but not worthy of this role. What next? Tom Cruise to star in the title role biopic of W.E.B Debois or L. Hughes? This is a slap-in-the-face joke. Hispanics and Latinas are now playing “black roles”, much like when “Caucasians were playing Native Americans”. This is nothing more than reverse “Black-face”. Even if you asked Zoe, she will tell you she is not “Black”. So why cast her to play a “Black Woman” is stupid, especially when Hollywood has PLENTY of Black Actresses who would’ve been PERFECT for the role?
This does not seem like a wise choice for casting. India Irie seems like a better fit. If a movie is to be made about a politically inclined social figure that made waves as a jazz musician, Zoe Saldana isn’t a name that pops into mind. It doesn’t make sense. Looks first of all. Nina was a rough around the edges, handsome (not pretty) woman with a bold voice and intimidating presence…Zoe doesn’t have that french thing: je ne se qua