THE FACTS
Marlon Wayans touched on his growing anticipation to portray Richard Pryor in his upcoming biopic.

THE SPIN
Many were disappointed to learn that Eddie Murphy nor Mike Epps would be portraying Richard Pryor in the long discussed biopic, Richard Pyror: Is It Something I Said?

That might have to do with the fact that Marlon is more known for movies like White Chicks and Little Man versus his very inspired performance in the indie movie, Requiem for a Dream.

In a recent profile in the Los Angeles Times, Marlon addressed some of the criticism head one.

He said:

“Look, I want to be able to make the stupidest movies ever, because they make people laugh and they make money. But that’s not all I want to do. And I think I’ve proven to some people — the ones paying attention — that I can do more. Everybody else, well, they can wait and see and make up their mind.”

And the youngest Wayans made it clear:

“I have no complaints, but I do have a plan. I love doing comedy, but I also love to do drama.This is like an invitation to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro for me, and I’ve never been more excited in my life than when I got the role,” he said last week. “I want to be in dramas, I want to produce, I want to write and I want to prove I can handle a role such as this one.”

Although Eddie Murphy passed on the role amid creative differences, he wishes Marlon Wayans well.

A rep for the star said:

“Eddie thinks Marlon will be wonderful in the role and he’s given his blessing for Marlon to do it. He’s looking forward to seeing Marlon in the role.”

I have faith in Marlon. I think he’s going to surprise people and may even net himself an Oscar nod in 2012. Mo’Nique has proven you have to give people the benefit of the doubt.

But I guess a better question is are you all biopic out or is this a movie you can’t wait to see? And do you think Marlon Wayans can pull it off?

The film goes into production this fall.

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YOUR SPIN: Do you think Marlon is right for the role? Tell us here.

Image courtesy of nydailynewsp.com

(*The views contained herein are solely the views of their respective authors, and do not express the views of TV One. TV One does not take responsibility for their content.)

THE FACTS
The Hughes Brothers reveal that Denzel Washington was almost not cast in their new film, The Book of Eli.

THE SPIN
Even an actor of Denzel Washington’s caliber can miss out on big film roles.

Denzel, who stars in the latest film from the Hughes Brothers entitled The Book of Eli, almost wasn’t cast because the backing studio felt a black actor couldn’t pull in the big international numbers they were seeking.

Allen Hughes explained to the New York Post: 

“I’m not gonna front - Denzel’s black. His numbers are great, but internationally does black travel? That’s what really was going on. (The studio) was crunching the numbers.”

Will Smith has commented on this before telling Entertainment Weekly:

”The big issue is, we don’t go,” he says of his fellow African-American actors. ”I’ve had conversations with Martin [Lawrence]. I’ve had conversations with Eddie [Murphy] and Denzel [Washington]. It’s long and it’s hard to do, to trudge around the world for six weeks or seven weeks. And you don’t get paid for that directly. Nobody wants to go — not even white actors, like Ben Stiller and Adam Sandler. I’m like, Are you crazy? I can match or double my U.S. box office outside of the country because I go.”

Isn’t it about time the film industry stops acting like films starring black actors can’t perform well outside of D.C., Baltimore, and Atlanta?

P.S. Please go see the movie in theaters. Do not support the local bootleg man this time. Let’s show people that when it comes to films starring and/or made by black people we support more than just slapstick and singers.

Source: 1, 2

YOUR SPIN: Will you be going to see Denzel’s new movie? Tell us here.

Image courtesy of moviecultists.com

(*The views contained herein are solely the views of their respective authors, and do not express the views of TV One. TV One does not take responsibility for their content.)

THE FACTS
R&B artist Pleasure P. has been accused of previously molesting child relatives years ago.

THE SPIN
By now you might have heard rumors that Pleasure P. was charged with child molestation prior to him gaining prominence (well, your lil’ cousins should know who he is) as a member of Pretty Ricky and now his own solo career. Things seemed to have popped off after one Twitter user named Laura Goldstein started hitting Pleasure P., nee Marcus Cooper, every other minute accusing him of child molestation.

She then hit up ex-bandmate Spectacular to which he responded:

If that weren’t enough, what were supposed to be sealed court documents have since flooded the Web.

Someone close to the situation emailed Necole Bitchie about the ordeal. Here’s an excerpt from the letter:

When he was 16 going on 17, he was left alone with his niece and nephew with whom he touched and penetrated with fingers on several occasions. His aunt noticed her daughter complaining of her genital area hurting, when asked what happened she replied “Uncle Marcus keeps touching me and he hurt me”. Of course Marcus (Pleasure P) denied the allegations but the doctor found signs that she had vaginal damage and tearing. Charges were then pursued by the State of Florida.

The incident happened in 2004 going into 2005. He served like 8 months, rehab and community service by time the trial came up. Marcus accepted a plea with the State of Florida and Joseph Smith who is the care giver of the niece and nephew which Marcus “Pleasure P” Cooper molested. These are not the only papers filed against him. These are the first of 3. As part of the plea agreement Marcus plead guilty and paid an “undisclosed amount” to remain free and have the records “sealed” and on the family level for them to remain quiet and not to speak publicly about it. The “sealed document” means nothing other than “we won’t tell anyone it’s here..but if they find it they can have it” basically. The problem also is that Attorney Goldstein (Who represented Marcus “Pleasure P” Cooper in the trial) has a daughter named Laura Goldstein who is also her father’s assistant. Marcus Cooper never completed his payments after the hearing to his attorney.

Attorney Goldstein tried to reach out to Marcus only to be told “Don’t call this phone no more” on several occasions. This caused frustration on Attorney Goldstein’s ends due to the time & effort he put into this “special plea bargain” he negotiated that I don’t think ANY attorney could have done. After Attorney Goldstein threatened to sue Marcus Cooper the “alleged threats” became real from Coopers end. I have personally heard these messages and I know who they are from and they are very disturbing. Especially to an attorney who can use them against you.

Laura Goldstein felt her father was not doing enough to stop the threats as they began to increase so she took to twitter (her twitter is @AGoldsteinGirl) to “expose” Marcus “Pleasure P” Cooper in a way that was sure to make him “go away”. Now all the documents from the initial hearing have been released and there is plenty more evidence out there I assure you. Everyone involved including Spectacular (Pretty Ricky) have commented via twitter on the documents in shock thinking they would never get out.

So there you go, a daughter going to bat for her dad online might have cost him his practice.

That is, if you believe all of this.

P’s girlfriend and Eddie Murphy’s daughter, Bria Murphy, had this to say on Twitter:

When it comes to love and relationships, i do what makes me happy. Keep ur negative opinions to urself cuz its not gonna change how i feel.

Congratulations @pleasurep on the three grammy nominations!!! I’m so proud of you!!! :-*

And her mother, Nicole Murphy, retweeted the message so I guess Pleasure has those two in his corner.

What about yours?

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YOUR SPIN: What do you think about Pleasure P now and would you still date him?  Tell us here.

Image courtesy of newlilwayne.com

(*The views contained herein are solely the views of their respective authors, and do not express the views of TV One. TV One does not take responsibility for their content.)