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Speaking to MTV News, the director confirmed that Wesley Snipes will play the legendary soul singer, who passed away in 2006.
"We're doing it together," he said. "It's going to happen. He's my man."
However, Lee revealed that the Blade actor will not be singing in the movie, saying: "I want to hear James Brown’s voice. That’s just my personal taste. I know Joaquin Phoenix [as Johnny Cash] in Walk The Line did some of the singing. I’m a purist."
Lee began developing the project in 2007 after acquiring the rights with Paramount Pictures. Snipes reportedly signed on around the same time.
In April 2008, Snipes was sentenced to three years in prison for tax evasion but he remains free while he appeals his sentence.
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