Producer Debra Martin Chase Talks About Remaking ‘Sparkle’By Wilson Morales
March 25, 2011
With Will Smith ready to do a remake of ‘Annie’ and ‘Uptown Saturday Night,’ the genre is in full effect with producer Debra Martin Chase, Sony Pictures, and the creative team behind the hit BET series ‘The Game’ set to remake the 1976 urban classic ‘Sparkle.’
Mara Brock Akil, who created and executive produced ‘Game’ and UPN’s ‘Girlfriends,’ will write the script while her husband Salim Akil, who has helmed every episode of ‘Game’ and many episodes of ‘Girlfriends,’ will direct.
Salim Akil is making is feature directorial debut with ‘Jumping the Broom,’ a social class comedy due to open May 6.
The original ‘Sparkle’ was inspired by the story of the Supremes, and centered on the three Williams sisters, who begin singing in their church choir in Harlem in the late 1950s and become a successful girl group. Their sudden rise unravels their personal lives. Irene Cara, Lonette McKee, Dwan Smith and Philip Michael Thomas starred in the original, distributed by Warner Bros, with a script by Joel Schumacher, who would go on to direct ‘St. Elmo’s Fire’ and ‘The Lost Boys,’ among others.
Chase, who has produced some Hollywood blockbusters including ‘The Princess Diaries,’ and ‘The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,’ spoke exclusively with Blackfilm.com about putting the remake together.
“Michael Lynton, the chairman of Sony, has always loved ‘Sparkle,’ and he and I were having dinner one night and he said, “I love that movie.” Devon Franklin, our executive at Sony, loves the movie. They were totally into it. Their love for the original movie, plus how ‘Jumping the Broom’ turned out is immensely helpful. I have been involved with remaking ‘Sparkle’ for years, but suffice it to say we were going to remake it at Warner Bros. for Aaliyah. Then the tragedy happened and it went back on the shelf, so I’ve been trying to remake this movie forever. People are looking for titles that already have familiarity in the marketplace. It’s across the board, African American movies, and white movies. It was a miracle to get ‘Just Wright’ made ’cause it was an original script. It’s just where the business is right now. ‘Sparkle’ is a timeless story. The essence of the story is about dreams, working hard for success, your struggles to figure out who you are and find your own voice.
While the 2006 film ‘Dreamgirls’ was not a remake but an adaptation from the 1981 Broadway musical, Chase wants to preserve the essence of the original ‘Sparkle,’ but also add some new music like ‘Dreamgirls’ had with ‘Listen,’ the Oscar nominated song that Beyonce sang in the film.
“It’s going to be in the same time period, because we wanted to preserve the innocence and purity of the story, but it’s going to be the music. Some of the original fantastic music written by Curtis Mayfield will be in, along with new songs, but still very current and relatable.”
With buzz surrounding Salim Akil’s upcoming film, ‘Jumping The Broom,’ and ‘The Game’ doing well on BET, the timing couldn’t have been better for Chase to go with the Akils to work with on this project.
“First of all I’ve wanted to work with Mara and Salim for a long time. Between ‘Girlfriends’ and ‘The Game,’ I think they’re super talented, but I saw ‘Jumping the Broom’” and it is fantastic. Sony is over the moon about it. The movie’s going to be awesome, and knowing what they were capable of the studio agreed they were the right people. I think it’s a frustrating time for all black talent, actors, producers, directors, writers because Hollywood in general is focusing on big tentpole movies, and the smaller movies, including African American movies, are not being made right now. To have the opportunity, with the full support of the studio, is very exciting.”
When asked if any of today’s musicians could be a part of the film along with some good actresses, Chase was keen to point out that it’s very early in the game when it comes to casting.
“We’re going to be looking for the best people for the roles. We will be looking for actors, musicians who are great actors, a little bit of everybody. They’re such iconic roles. On the original film, it was Irene Cara’s first role, Lonette McKee is unbelievably memorable, Philip Michael Thomas, just great, great people. I’m not ready to talk about casting. We’re going to look for the best. Obviously there are people who come to mind, but we’re not ready yet. It’s very, very exciting, and so many people love it, they tell me it’s their favorite movie. It’s a big responsibility, but I think we have the right team to live up to expectations.”
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