Cadillac Records is an upcoming biographical film and a musical drama written and directed by film directorDarnell Martin. Exploring the 1950s musical era, the film chronicles the life of the influential Chicago-based record-company executive Leonard Chess, and the singers who recorded for Chess Records.

The film stars American actors Adrien Brody as Chess, Cedric the Entertainer as Willie Dixon, Mos Def as Chuck Berry, Columbus Short as Little Walter, Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Waters, and Beyoncé Knowles as Etta James. The film has been rated R.

Leonard Chess was a record-company executive from Chicago, Illinois, the co-founder of the 1950 American record labelChess Records. He ran the legendary company with his brother, Phil, through the 1950s and ’60s. The label started selling albums at the back of Chess’ Cadillac, and had launched the careers of legendary musical personalities such as blues singers and harmonica and guitar players Little Walter and Howlin’ Wolf, blues musician Muddy Waters, soul legend Etta James and guitarist singer-songwriters Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley.

Originally, Matt Dillon was slated to play the role of Chess, but the role was ultimately given to Academy Award-winner Adrien Brody due to scheduling conflicts with Dillon. Early announcements of the cast also included Columbus Short as Little Walter , Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Waters, and Grammy Award winning singer Beyoncé Knowles as Etta James . According to director Martin, she wrote the role of James with Knowles in mind.

As production increased the roster had grown to include Canadian actress Emmanuelle Chriqui as Revetta Chess, Tammy Blanchard as Isabelle Allen, and comedianCedric the Entertainer as Willie Dixon. Final line ups of the cast also grew to include rapperMos Def as Chuck Berry, and Gabrielle Union in the role of Geneva Wade, Muddy Waters’ girlfriend.

Cadillac Records was produced by Andrew Lack and Sofia Sondervan, and co-executive produced by Beyoncé Knowles.

American multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and music producer Steve Jordan will produce the soundtrack to the film. Knowles recorded five songs for the soundtrack, including a cover version of Etta James‘ “At Last” which will be released on December 2, 2008 as its lead single. Mos Def, Jeffrey Wright, Columbus Short, and Eamonn Walker recorded songs for the soundtrack, and Raphael Saadiq, Knowles’ sister Solange, Mary Mary, Nas, Buddy Guy and Elvis Presley also appears on the album. The soundtrack will be released in single- and double-disc editions.

The info about this movie was obtained from Wikipedia.

“Cadillac Records” movie trailer

deletereply instrumentalpavilion wrote on Nov 26, ’08 This flick looks like it may be good….have to see this one!   Fred

deletereply sistahpoet wrote on Dec 10, ’08 my brother and sister in law went this afternoon to see this movie and said it was very good!  i will go to see it soon..most def! thank you and enjoy your birthday!

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Dec 10, ’08 Sistahpoet, thanks for coming by. Let me know what you think of this movie.