{"id":60054,"date":"2011-03-25T17:12:51","date_gmt":"2011-03-25T17:12:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/0de2709a84.nxcli.net\/0-kjasnb\/2011\/03\/25\/producer-debra-martin-chase-on-sparkle-remake\/"},"modified":"2018-12-18T11:55:17","modified_gmt":"2018-12-18T11:55:17","slug":"producer-debra-martin-chase-on-sparkle-remake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.blackfilm.com\/read\/producer-debra-martin-chase-on-sparkle-remake\/","title":{"rendered":"Producer Debra Martin Chase On Sparkle Remake"},"content":{"rendered":"

Producer Debra Martin Chase Talks About Remaking \u2018Sparkle\u2019<\/strong>By Wilson Morales<\/p>\n

March 25, 2011<\/p>\n

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With Will Smith<\/strong> ready to do a remake of \u2018Annie\u2019<\/strong> and \u2018Uptown Saturday Night,\u2019<\/strong> the genre is in full effect with producer Debra Martin Chase<\/strong>, Sony Pictures, and the creative team behind the hit BET series ‘The Game’ <\/strong>set to remake the 1976 urban classic \u2018Sparkle.\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mara Brock Akil<\/strong>, who created and executive produced \u2018Game\u2019 and UPN\u2019s \u2018Girlfriends,\u2019 will write the script while her husband Salim Akil<\/strong>, who has helmed every episode of \u2018Game\u2019 and many episodes of \u2018Girlfriends,\u2019 will direct.<\/p>\n

Salim Akil<\/strong> is making is feature directorial debut with ‘Jumping the Broom<\/em>,’ <\/strong>a social class comedy due to open May 6.<\/p>\n

The original \u2018Sparkle\u2019 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<\/strong>, Dwan Smith<\/strong> and Philip Michael Thomas<\/strong> starred in the original, distributed by Warner Bros, with a script by Joel Schumacher<\/strong>, who would go on to direct ‘St. Elmo\u2019s Fire’<\/strong> and ‘The Lost Boys,’<\/strong> among others.<\/p>\n

Chase, who has produced some Hollywood blockbusters including \u2018The Princess Diaries,\u2019 and \u2018The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,\u2019 spoke exclusively with Blackfilm.com<\/strong> about putting the remake together.<\/p>\n

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\u201cMichael Lynton, the chairman of Sony, has always loved \u2018Sparkle,\u2019 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 \u2018Jumping the Broom\u2019 turned out is immensely helpful. I have been involved with remaking \u2018Sparkle\u2019 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 \u2018Just Wright\u2019 made ’cause it was an original script. It’s just where the business is right now. \u2018Sparkle\u2019 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.<\/p>\n

While the 2006 film \u2018Dreamgirls\u2019 was not a remake but an adaptation from the 1981 Broadway musical, Chase wants to preserve the essence of the original \u2018Sparkle,\u2019 but also add some new music like \u2018Dreamgirls\u2019 had with \u2018Listen,\u2019 the Oscar nominated song that Beyonce sang in the film.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cIt’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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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With buzz surrounding Salim Akil\u2019s upcoming film, \u2018Jumping The Broom,\u2019 and \u2018The Game\u2019 doing well on BET, the timing couldn\u2019t have been better for Chase to go with the Akils to work with on this project.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cFirst of all I’ve wanted to work with Mara and Salim for a long time. Between \u2018Girlfriends\u2019 and \u2018The Game,\u2019 I think they’re super talented, but I saw \u2018Jumping the Broom\u2019” 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

When asked if any of today\u2019s musicians could be a part of the film along with some good actresses, Chase was keen to point out that it\u2019s very early in the game when it comes to casting.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWe’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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\nRelated New<\/p>\n

Related News<\/strong><\/p>\n

Watch Whitney Houston talk Sparkle and 3 clips<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Sparkle film photos <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Pics from Sparkle\u2019s LA Premiere <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Carmen Ejogo and Tika Sumpter\u2019s On Set Interview<\/a>
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Jordin Sparks\u2019 On Set Interview<\/a>
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Whitney Houston\u2019s Sparkle Interview<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Debra Martin Chase On Producing Sparkle Remake and casting Jordin Sparks, Whitney Houston<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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