Halle and Cuba's Casting Issues

Who wouldn't want Halle Berry in their movie? Well, back before she won an Oscar for her role in "Monster's Ball," the film's producer, Lee Daniels, had his reservations about casting Berry in the career-making part.

Daniels tells AOL Black Voices that he was skeptical of Halle's talents because she was "at her worst publicity-wise. She had just run over somebody- backed up, took off and left them there; done the Flintstones [movie] and was being called a Black Barbie doll. But you know, I'm an underdog and at that moment she was an underdog and I'm always for an underdog"

Luckily, minus the blip known as "Catwoman", Halle's career has never been healthier.

Daniels latest project is the drama "Shadowboxer." As the director on the film Daniels also expressed concerns over hiring Cuba Gooding Jr.

Despite winning an Oscar for his role in "Jerry Maguire", Gooding has seen his once hot career fizzle.

Daniels adds "With Cuba, something wasn't sitting right with me but I remembered him in 'Boyz N the Hood.' That's when I saw the truth and went for him. [With this film], I think he's gangsta. I think he's thug. I think he's honest and good. And I think he's back."

Let's hope so because there aren't many people clamoring for sequels to "Snow Dogs" or "Boat Trip!"

Tags: Cuba Gooding Jr, CubaGoodingJr, Halle Berry, HalleBerry

Reader Comments

(Page 3 of 3) Previous 15 Comments

31. I don't mean to be crude Halle, but you are like Angelina Jolie, you have a beauty and charm that stand alone. And there just aren't to many women or men that can say that, cause most people only look good in a crowd. And although some people might have the beauty, they damn sure don't have the charm.

And that younger guy thing, you're not old and you don't look old, and those guys look like an old tattered suit clinging onto you. To be honest Halle, ain't no man is going to make you look good. If you want to look good, you've got to learn how to wear beautiful and exotic women around you, and don't be afraid to strategically place them to accent your sensuality.

And if I were your man I'd always walk just one step behind, because you're just that beautiful to me.

Posted at 9:19AM on Aug 11th 2006 by Charles

32. You tell em Leslie! I'm white & perplexed at the black vrs black bashing. The 1st all black cast movie I saw was 'Bingo Long & the Traveling All-Stars', 30 years ago. It's one of my favorites & a story that needed told. What a cast ! I laughed, cried, applauded. I was one of a few (of any color) in the theater. I love 'Glory", 'The Great White Hope', 'The Color Purple', 'Men of Honor', so many up lifting stories of struggle and change. By the way, Carl Brashear, the black Navy diver that Cuba did an excellent job of portraying died a few weeks ago. I would have never heard of him if not for movies. What an American hero! Good for Halle! I wonder why the black male actors working today far out number the women? Is it a lack of decent roles being written for women?

Posted at 7:18PM on Aug 11th 2006 by Suzie

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