Wayne Barrow and Diddy talk "Notorious"

In this clip the producer of Notorious, Wayne Barrow, answers questions from fans via the set in NYC. Of course I had to ask a question about Angie B and Wayne actually gets right to it in the beginning of the video. He also tells us about how he met B.I.G. and how Voletta Wallace always had Angela Bassett in mind to play her in the film.

Go and ask Wayne a question too at his blog: [NotoriousBlog.net]

Diddy is impressed...

Next we've got Diddy (more appropriately, Puff Daddy) telling MTV how impressed he is with Derek Luke, who plays Puff in the movie. Diddy (who is also a producer for the film) reveals that the movie will put emphasis on Biggie's mom and her influence on the real Biggie Smalls. Which translates to us BassettHounds as more Angela! Read more...

"It's rare that you get a movie made about you when you're still relevant, but [they] took on the challenge," Combs said of the cast, adding that he was especially impressed with actor Derek Luke, who is playing Diddy. "People asked me years ago who you'd want to play me, and I said Derek Luke ... so it was just destined. I got to see him do his thing, and it was scary for me. I had to leave, 'cause he was acting just like me."

But as much as the film is about music, about the story of one man's journey from Brooklyn to the penthouse, it's more about Biggie's mother, Combs asserted. Voletta Wallace, who lives in the New Jersey house her son owned, will be played in the film by Oscar nominee Angela Bassett.

"It's not my movie," Combs said. "A lot of people don't know this, but it's not my movie. It's Miss Wallace's movie. It's from a mother's perspective. I'm just there as support."
[MTV.com]

"Notorious" is scheduled for a January 16th, 2009 release!

AB Movie Photos: Notorious and Gospel Hill!

Thanks to [BuzzFoto.com] for snapping these pics of Angela Bassett shooting a scene in "Notorious" on Monday. Angela plays Voletta Wallace who is attending her son's funeral.

Wayne Barrow, producer of Notorious, provided this video of the cast and crew of the film!

About 1:47 in the video you can check out Angie B on the set of Notorious with Voletta Wallace herself!




Gospel Hill

Gospel Hill is still waiting to be released in the US later this year but the film's production company, 6 Sales, has some exclusive photos of Angela and the cast at their site: [6sales.es] You can see more photos of Angela and the cast (including Nia Long, Samuel L. Jackson, Danny Glover, Julia Stiles, and Giancarlo Esposito) and a seriously gripping teaser clip from the movie via their website.

Angela Bassett in Gospel Hill

In other Angie B News... Despite growing controversy, Danny Glover plans to shoot and direct the historic biopic Toussaint, in Venezuela this summer/fall 2008 using nearly $20 million from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Don Cheadle and Angela Bassett are to star as Toussaint and Suzanne L'Ouverture. [source]

Beanie Sigel's Love Letter to Angela

Broad Street Bully Beanie Sigel shows Angela Bassett some Thug Passion:

By the time this reaches you, I pray it finds you in the best of health–physically, spiritually and mentally. It’s been a while since I’ve seen your beautiful face, and although we haven’t met, I feel as though I’ve known you forever. So allow me to apologize if I’ve affected you by addressing you so personally in the opening of my letter. That merely wasn’t my intent.

I’d like to thank you for being by my side in times of hardship. Some unfortunate events that occured in my life forces me to reside in a residential facility a few years back. You see, while inside the barbed-wire stockade, I found relief in your beautiful face and bright smile, which gave space and lit up the dim gray walls it was posted on in the small cell I was confined in.

I’d often find myself staring at your picture and letting my imagination run free, falling asleep escaping the concrete walls that barricade me. I’d dream that I took you on the perfect date, out of this world. We’d take a magic carpet ride through the sky, then go roller-skating around the rings of Saturn. We’d sit on on the edge of a crescent moon and pitch stars into the Milky Way. There I would propose to you and offer the sun as an engagement ring. We would make love on a bed of clouds, fall fast asleep, then slowly drift back to Earth.

In closing, it’d be real special to have the chance to meet you. I know love wouldn’t have anything to do with it, and I’m sure that your groove is intact. :) It’d be a dream come true.

Until I close my eyes and we meet again, stay as beautiful as you are.

Soft words from a hardened heart,

Beanie Sigel

P.S. To Whom It May Concern: If this letter does not meet its intended destination, please send it to heaven, because it was meant for an angel.

Simonique's 2 Cents:

I thought this was actually a really sweet letter (if only a little cliche) that Beanie felt compelled to write after being inspired by Angela in a positive way. Its no different from D.L. Hughley who confesses his love for Angie whenever he has the chance. I didnt find it weird or surprising in the least bit, Angela is a stunner you know. Laurence Fishburne, Forest Whitaker, and Rick Fox would definitely agree, all 3 men showed to support Ang at her Star ceremony last month.  

Although Wow Jones speculated at his site, that either Beanie or Angela's publicist came up with this to promote their respective projects. I have to say, (as a PR major and BassettHound) in the 20 plus years Angela has been a working actress in Hollywood she has never fabricated stories for a PR gain. Beanie Sigel just really loves him some Angie B! And hes not the only one!

"Meet the Browns" Movie Poster / Angela & Courtney Set to Tell 'Truth'

Thanks to a fellow BassettHound named Aaron, we've got the first look at the official "Meet the Browns" Movie Poster! According to Aaron, you can find the poster in the back of the program when you see Tyler Perry's currently touring play, "Whats Done in the Dark". They're playing in Chicago now.

You can expect to "Meet the Browns" next year, March 21st 2008. Lionsgate, the distribution company behind all of Tyler Perry's films, stated recently that they'll be releasing Tyler's latest movies (including 'Browns') internationally instead of soley in the States thanks to the success of "Why Did I Get Married".

Quick AB Newsflash: The Bible Experience (The Old Testament Version) is now available on CD or MP3 format. I bought The New Testament version via Amazon.com but any mainstream online store will get you The Bible Experience.
To listen to a clip of Angela Bassett as Esther go to [Zondervan.com] Thanks to Jean at Zondervan!

Angela isnt the only one set to tell the "Truth"
According to CommercialAppeal.com, Courtney "Brown Eyes" Vance is also making an appearance in the upcoming film "Nothing But the Truth" along with his wife of 10 years. This marks the very first feature film the couple have collorborated on (excluding 1995's Panther). We have yet to find out which character Courtney is playing in the film but if Angela is "playing" the boss of a major newspaper then it wouldnt be a stretch if Courtney were her partner in deligating.


Excerpts from "Cast and Costume" by Barbara Bradley

A cap sleeve black dress Angela Bassett wears in "Nothing But the Truth" spotlights her toned arms, lending a subtle physical authority to her role as editor of the fictitious Washington newspaper, The Capital Sun-Times. Was that intentional?

"If you have to show something, it's better than your belly button," said Bassett, smiling, as she waited between scenes shot recently in The Commercial Appeal newsroom on Union Avenue.

But no. The Ellen Tracy belted dress was chosen for its sophistication, which may also account for Bassett's four-inch, stack heels, perhaps the tallest that ever traversed the real newsroom's ink-stained carpet.

Print journalists, never known for sartorial chic, may smile at the stylish duds worn by actors who portray them. (Actors get more beauty help too. At one point, Bassett snapped her fingers and someone rushed over and buffed her arms.) But so many considerations influence costume selection, it's a wonder actors ever emerge from their dressing rooms at all.

The cast includes Kate Beckinsale as the ill-fated reporter; Noah Wyle as a lawyer for the newspaper; Vera Farmiga as the outed agent; and Alan Alda as a high profile, smooth-talking attorney defending Beckinsale's character. Rounding out the stellar cast are Matt Dillon, David Schwimmer and Bassett's real-life husband Courtney B. Vance.

"I get to weigh in with my idea of the character," said Bassett. "I do have power suits, (for Bonnie Benjamin, the editor she portrays), but I felt she shouldn't be mannish. She's strong enough to express her feminine side."

Sometimes actors get to keep the clothes they wear in the film, said Bassett, which can make choosing what is right for the character painful. "Angela loves that!" said Bassett, breaking into a wide smile as she recalled a proposed outfit she had felt it necessary to discard. "But that is going," she told herself. "It's not Bonnie. Bonnie wouldn't wear that."

Read the entire article at [CommercialAppeal.com]

Doesnt it look like celebrity stylist, Philip Bloch, just told a naughty joke?

"Heres Something While You Wait"

I'm sure you BassettHounds can tell, but there has been a gap in "AB News" for a couple of weeks now. Its not because Angela's slowing down though, shes just as busy as ever. Ang is filming two more movies this year, shes picking up and moving to what I call a fairytale castle (she calls it a home), and sources close to the Bassett-Vance clan say they're planning a family vacation.

With all that going on with Angela you'd think we'd have something to report. Nope! We're still in "AB News" limbo, but heres something while you wait: a collection of random Angela Bassett photos from this year. Until we're out of limbo: Keep Hounding!

Bronwyn and Slater with their parents making another public appearance


Robert Townsend and Angela Bassett (Of Boys & Men costars) at a film-making Q & A in Chicago.


Angela and Courtney appear here with Fred Johnson (far left) their friend and technology consultant.

Angela and Courtney went to the former mayor of Atlanta, Andrew Young's birthday bash last April. Angie is wearing the earrings that Oprah gave to her as a gift during The Legends Ball!

Angela Bassett on the set of "Gospel Hill" with costar Christy Johnson


Angela donated her "Jeans for Justice" benefiting the YWCA


I like this picture because it looks like a movie poster! Click on it to see ALL of Angela! :D

Whats That Got to Do With It?
In Random News...


COURTNEY IS WORKING AGAIN! Ever since the Bassett-Vance twins were born (Jan. 2006) Courtney B. Vance has been on an acting hiatus. Enjoying his time with his wife and new babies, yet keeping his talents from us, the television audience. But the hiatus is at an end with Courtney's newest guest star role in "State of Mind." A new Lifetime show starring Lili Taylor and Theresa Randle.

I just happened to be flipping through channels last Sunday when I see Angela's Courtney all kissed up on a white woman. I thought, "he really must not have seen Waiting to Exhale" but then I realized his kissing another woman means hes working again (because thats got to be acting, Courtney knows what hes got) and that made it all okay.

"State of Mind" is a really intriguing, intelligently funny program and Courtney looks like he'll be a regular. So check Mr. Vance out SUNDAYS at 9PM on LIFETIME and just remember hes acting.

In preparation for Angela's 49th birthday (in ten days) we've got a new poll up on the site for you to vote on. Angela's turning 49 on August 16th, BassettHounds, what should she do to celebrate? GO AND VOTE!

Angela on Set of "Meet the Browns"

*Thanks to LadyGlen for providing these pictures to the BassettHounds. She visited the "Meet the Browns" set in Chicago looking to hear from Jennifer Hudson until a member of the crew told her, "Shes not here. Thats just a rumor." Instead Lady Glen got to eat lunch with the crew and see Angela Bassett and Irma P. Hall who were "very friendly and sweet." Heres what Glen said about our Angela:

Angela was very nice. She was very professional...sort of in a zone...serious. After she filmed her scenes, she relaxed, waved to us all and let us snap a few pictures. She jumped in a white van and pulled off during the lunch break.

That sounds like Angie alright. No-nonsense when shes working and in character, but when the cameras are off shes her laid back self!! Thanks again to Glen for the exclusive. :)

Angela and Courtney are Movin' Out!

Do any of you BassettHounds have $6 million extra dollars in your pocket and looking to move? Guess what? The Power Couple is selling their lovely house in Hancock Park!

SELLERS: Courtney Vance and Angela Bassett
LOCATION: Fremont Place, Los Angeles, CA
PRICE: $5,999,000
SIZE: 4,828 square feet, 5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms
DESCRIPTION: Spectacular Celebrity estate in Fremont Place. This home has the perfect blend of traditional elegance & sophistication! 5 Bds, 6 Bas on a 26,595 corner lot replete w/ 2,500 sq. ft. separate 2 room office/guest + bath & full gym w/ hair salon complete this extraordinary compound. Rich w/ orig details, this fabulous home has a gourmet kitchen that opens to family room, formal liv & din room, elegant foyer, master ste w/ incredible bath & closets & park-like grounds. Included is 24/7 security of Fremont Pl.

Read the full story at [RealEstalker]

Filming News: Meet the Browns

Fox & Hound
by Stella Foster


CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Fabulous actress/ author Angela Bassett and handsome former L.A. Lakers star Rick Fox, ex-hubby of singer/actress Vanessa Williams, will be hitting town this weekend to start filming scenes for the new Tyler Perry movie "Meet the Browns." Bassett portrays a single mom raising three kids in the projects with a son who is a high school basketball star. Fox plays a high school basketball coach who becomes her love interest. Perry will also be in town next week, and filming will be done near Clybourn, Diversey and near 63rd & Cottage Grove. The cast and crew will be in Chicago one week and resume production in Atlanta.

*Only Angela could pull off filming two movies at the same time!

Photos: Gospel Hill Filming

Angela Bassett, Danny Glover, Julia Stiles, Nia Long, and Giancarlo Esposito all on the set of "Gospel Hill"
Filming for "Gospel Hill" is more than half way completed. They'll continue filming in various locations including South Carolina until the end of July and release is set for April 2008.

Blogging about "Gospel Hill"

• Ms. Rhonda blogs about her experience as an extra at [Myspace]


• Andrew blogs on his role as a featured extra at [Media Mensch]


• Fort Mills Times reports on how "Gospel Hill" shook up their town [source]

Celebrate Your Freedom!

Happy Birthday America!

Have a Firecracker of an Independence Day, BassettHounds!

We hope Ms. Angela Bassett is enjoying the fireworks in South Carolina. Shes out of town, filming "Gospel Hill", which makes it a good thing we can celebrate July 4th in any of the 50 United States of America!

"Celebrate your Freedom and Stay BassettHounds"

Casting News: Meet the Browns

Blackfilm.com has revealed exclusive casting news:

NBA player Rick Fox and Actress Jenifer Lewis have joined Angela Bassett and Tyler Perry in the cast of Perry's newest film, "Meet the Browns." Lewis will reprise her role in "Madea's Family Reunion" as the snobby wedding planner, Milay Jenay Lori. Rumors are still circulating that Jennifer Hudson will also co-star in "Meet the Browns." Although Fox and Hudson's roles in the film havent been disclosed yet, my educated guess is Fox will play Angela's love interest and Hudson will play one of Angela's 3 children. And if Lewis' character is reprising her role then a wedding/marriage is most likely underway.

Its still a mystery if Rick Fox aka Vanessa Williams' ex-hubby has any acting chops although he does have a recurring role on the FX show 'Dirt' with Courtney Cox. I hope he can act -- act real well too because Angela will make him look like a fish way far out of water if he cant bring it. I'm just happy to see Angela and Jenifer Lewis working together again since 1993's "Whats Love Got to Do With It." For those of you who read Angie's book, Friends: A Love Story, you know that Ang and Jenifer were roomates in the early 90s when Angela was just starting her career in Hollywood. They were actually roomates when they both got roles in "Whats Love" (Angela as Tina Turner, Jenifer as Tina's mama).

"Meet the Browns" starts filming next month in Atlanta and will be in theaters Feb. 2008!

Angela Bassett will face-off with the all-mighty Madea in "Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns," an upcoming feature film adaptation of his popular stage play.

The actress will play the role of Brenda, a single mother who travels with her family from their home in inner-city Chicago to Georgia for the funeral of her father, whom she never met. There, she is introduced to her crazy relatives, the Browns, and also manages to find romance along the way.

Perry will again suit up as the characters of Madea and Uncle Joe in the film, which is due in theaters early next year via Lionsgate. He has played big screen versions of the characters in the films “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” and “Madea’s Family Reunion.”

Bassett, an Oscar nominee for her role as Tina Turner in the 1993 biopic “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” was last seen in Lionsgate's "Akeelah and the Bee" and the Walt Disney Co.'s "Meet the Robinsons."

Perry’s latest directorial outing, “Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?" is due in theaters Nov. 16 with stars Jill Scott, Janet Jackson, Sharon Leal, Malik Yoba, Michael Jai White and Richard T. Jones.

In other "Meet The Browns" news, Wilson Morales' Blackfilm.com is reporting that former LA Lakers forward Rick Fox and Jenifer Lewis will be joining the cast. There's no word yet on what role Fox will play.

Lewis will reprise the role that she played in "Madea's Family Reunion" as Milay Jenay Lori.

Whats That Got to Do With It?

Random Angela Bassett News!

Its long over-due but better late than never right? Ms. Angela is one of the 19 celebrities set to recieve their Star on the Walk of Fame in 2008. Next year is definitely going to be Angie's year, with 4 films coming out and her very own star. If you need more on this, heres the story.


Tyler Perry confirms Angela Bassett will star in 'Meet the Browns'!!
The first day of filming for 'Gospel Hill' went off without a hitch earlier this week. First-time director and co-star, Giancarlo Esposito got right into the rythm of being a director on Monday's shoot. Even with the South Carolina heat and residents looking on, reporters observing every detail, and Julia Stiles having difficulty with one scene. Heres the story!

Unfortunately I have some more to report: This whole 'Angela Bassett turned down Monster's Ball' thing will NOT go away. Its been 5 years since that whole controversy was formed from one little old Newsweek article and today silly folks are still talking about it as if Angela was hating on Halle. I usually let them do their ill-informed jabbing without any words in response from me, but Invisible Woman over at Invisible Cinema pushed ALL my buttons in one of her posts yesterday:

Casting Trivia...

-That Angela Bassett turned down Halle Berry's Oscar winning role in "Monster's Ball" and then had the audacity to be pissed that Halle won (she probably thought that legacy should have been hers) and talked greasy about Halle , saying that "it's amazing what happens when someone decides to show their body?" Sour grapes, girl. By the way, has anyone seen Angela lately?

Now of course I couldnt let that go:

Simonique- Its sad that you can report such falsities freely as you're doing. Angela Bassett did turn down the lead role in Monsters Ball but that was the only correct statement you posted about her.
She was nothing but happy when Halle won the Oscar, they were even at the ceremony hugging and saying "I love you, girl." I personally think Angela should've been the first black woman to win the Best Actress Oscar since she has more talent in her pinky finger than half of Hollywood. Angela never 'talked greasy' about Halle, she only said that Monsters Ball wasnt the role for her and that she is in total support of Halle.

Sour grapes are for people who have no talent or potential in their field. In Angela's case, shes just wading her time until something of substance comes her way. People with her talent can do that, people with none can only strip.

Simonique
a pissed off BassettHound

I think I made my point well enough yesterday because Ms. Invisible Woman herself created a post in response. Continue the debate here: Angela Bassett Stans Stand Up!