Earlier this month, it was announced that Martin Scorsese would be directing a biopic about Frank Sinatra. Sure. "Natch." (Yuck.) But while that may be true and make sense, what is not true and what does not make sense is the rumor that Jamie Foxx might be up for the lead role. From the Telegraph UK (via FilmDrunk):
Foxx, who won a Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Ray Charles in the 2004 film Ray, reportedly considered to be "perfect" for the role. If he is chosen for the part, it will be one of the most prominent examples of "colour-blind" casting in Hollywood history.
Also in the running are George Clooney, Leonardo di Caprio, Harry Connick Jnr and Justin Timberlake.
An unnamed source told the Daily Express: "Cool is colour-blind. Jamie would seem to be born to the role. Magnificent singing voice, totally convincing acting ability, like Frank himself, born the wrong side of the tracks, rags to riches, makes it big against the odds, has his brushes with authority. The guy's a gift."
Yes. Jamie Foxx was BORN to play Frank Sinatra. That is the exact perfect word to describe Jamie Foxx's qualifications for this role. Is there a Nobel Prize for just using the perfect word? Because we have a winner.
But why do they keep saying this would be colour-blind casting? This isn't colour-blind casting. This is colour-wrong casting. He is the wrong colour. I mean, I know that Barack Obama is president and everything, but if you made a biopic about Obama's legendary role in tearing down American racial boundaries and he was played by Martin Sheen, even if Martin Sheen was BORN to play Barack Obama, I feel like people would be confused and maybe really, really upset. I mean, I know that this whole thing is just a made up joke anyway, but also no. In any case, I feel like the whole conversation is beside the point since Jamie Foxx would never get this role, since it was clearly written for Vinny Chase.
Previously, in Duh Aficionado Magazine: Jamie Foxx Is a Terrible Person
