Which Recording Artist Is Competing With Eddie Murphy to Star in the James Brown Biopic?

The James Brown biopic has been in the works for some time now. Back in 2006, Spike Lee joined the Paramount project to direct and rewrite a script that had already been revised by Feeling Minnesota scribe Steve Baigelman and Jezz and John-Henry Butterworth (Fair Game). In the most exciting (and recent) development yet though, producers have begun meeting with actors about the lead part -- including Eddie Murphy and one recording artist that will definitely surprise you.

Along with Murphy, Usher is in talks to play the Godfather of Soul according to Brown's daughter, Dr. Yanna Brown. Before his legal troubles, Wesley Snipes was considered the casting pool forerunner and in the past, Dr. Yanna Brown has suggested that Chris Brown would also be a good choice for the role. (No comment.)

Usher's IMDB acting credits include Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, 7th Heaven and most recently, the critically-reviled Katherine Heigl/Ashton Kutcher comedy Killers. Meanwhile, Eddie Murphy earned an Oscar nomination in 2007 for his impressive performance in Dreamgirls. So, yeah.

Spike Lee has been vocal about having his lead actor lip sync Brown's songs. No word yet on whether this would change if a musician scores the role.

· Eddie Murphy & Usher Approached To Play James Brown In Long Gestating Biopic [Shadow and Act via The Playlist]