The Preacher's Wife star may be making a come back. News has surfaced that Whitney Houston is in talks to star in Sparkle,
a Sony Pictures remake of the 1976 music-themed drama. "American Idol"
winner Jordin Sparks and actor Mike Epps also are set to participate in
the redux, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
"The Game" executive producer Mara Brock Akil wrote the new script while her husband Salim Akil, who cut his teeth directing episodes of "The Game" and Brock Akil's first hit show "Girlfriends" will serve as director. Producers include Debra Martin Chase, TD Jakes, the Akils and Curtis Wallace.
Sparkle, loosely based on Diana Ross and the Supremes, follows three sisters and their struggle out of the 1950s Harlem ghetto and into the spotlight. The original Sparkle star was played by Irene Cara alongside Lonette McKee and Mary Alice, who played her sister and mother, respectively. Tony King played the evil local hoodlum Satin that ultimately kills McKee's character.
In the new version of Sparkle, Sparks will play the timid lead character and Houston will play her mother. Epps will reprise Satin, but instead of a local hood, he'll play a stand-up comedian who marries one of Sparkle's sisters and hooks her on drugs.
As for Ms. Houston, this role will be her first since she last twirled around the silver screen in 1996 for The Preacher's Wife co-starring Denzel Washington and Courtney Vance. The R&B icon was originally involved with Sparkle as a producer when the project made the rounds around Hollywood via Warner years ago with the late Aaliyah as the lead. Houston will retain her producer credit in the 2011 project.
"The Game" executive producer Mara Brock Akil wrote the new script while her husband Salim Akil, who cut his teeth directing episodes of "The Game" and Brock Akil's first hit show "Girlfriends" will serve as director. Producers include Debra Martin Chase, TD Jakes, the Akils and Curtis Wallace.
Sparkle, loosely based on Diana Ross and the Supremes, follows three sisters and their struggle out of the 1950s Harlem ghetto and into the spotlight. The original Sparkle star was played by Irene Cara alongside Lonette McKee and Mary Alice, who played her sister and mother, respectively. Tony King played the evil local hoodlum Satin that ultimately kills McKee's character.
In the new version of Sparkle, Sparks will play the timid lead character and Houston will play her mother. Epps will reprise Satin, but instead of a local hood, he'll play a stand-up comedian who marries one of Sparkle's sisters and hooks her on drugs.
As for Ms. Houston, this role will be her first since she last twirled around the silver screen in 1996 for The Preacher's Wife co-starring Denzel Washington and Courtney Vance. The R&B icon was originally involved with Sparkle as a producer when the project made the rounds around Hollywood via Warner years ago with the late Aaliyah as the lead. Houston will retain her producer credit in the 2011 project.
