Published - March, 2, 2007

A Milli Vanilli movie? Girl, you know it's true
by Chemarryn Thornton cthornton@...

Welcome to the Pop Arcade, your source for fair and balanced pop-
culture news. I am your host, Chemarryn Thornton, and baby, don't
forget my number.

Blame it on the fame

Don't get me wrong, people. I loved Jamie Foxx's breakout
performance as soul sensation Ray Charles in "Ray" as much as the
next guy, but I think a meatier role would have served the one-
time "In Living Color" star much better.

Nothing against Ray Charles. I mean, the man certainly had some
knowledge of the piano, nobody's doubting that. I'm just saying that
if a star really wants to get some props from me by doing a music
biopic, they should portray an artist who had a bit more impact on
the music industry.

Luckily for Jamie, he may still get that chance.

Daily Variety is reporting that the story of two of the most
legendary musicians to come along since -- well, perhaps ever -- is
finally about to become a movie. I'm talking, of course, about
Fabrice Morvan and Rob Pilatus, known the world over as Milli
Vanilli.

Long overdue, yes, I realize that. But in the words of wisdom once
spoken to me by a 40-year-old virgin, "Better late than never."

Let's not kid ourselves here, folks, fear is the reason it has taken
Hollywood this long to produce this guaranteed blockbuster. The fear
of knowing that jobs and reputations are on the line for any poor
soul responsible for making a product that mischaracterizes or
taints the good name of Milli Vanilli in any way.

It's one thing to deliver a hack job on a Ray Charles or Howard
Hughes biopic, but it's another thing entirely to butcher the
hallowed work of Rob and Fab. Thus, we had to wait until two brave
individuals, writer/director Jeff Nathanson and producer Kathleen
Kennedy, decided they were ready to take on a project of this
magnitude.

Now that the wheels on this baby are spinning, the next challenge is
finding the right cast. I've already penciled in Jamie Foxx, and I
think we all agree he's a natural for Fabrice. Rob is where it gets
a little tricky, and -- work with me, people -- I'm thinking Forest
Whitaker. We get him hot off the big Oscar win and looking to show
some range after "The Last King of Scotland."

Two Academy Award winners, one magical film.

This movie's success could really open the door for the passion
project your friendly neighborhood columnist has been shopping to
Will Smith's agent for the past three years: "Wishing Well: The
Terence Trent D'Arby Story."

http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?
AID=/20070302/ENTERTAINMENT/703020308/1005