Dreamgirls is going to be a double-digit nominee...

Or, that's my feeling, anyway. Read this over at Gold Derby. Sounds very exciting. The news of four original songs can only help both Jennifer Hudson and Beyonce get golden statue nominations, plus with an extra two originals elsewhere the movie has no shortage of Original Song nominees.

'Dreamgirls' as major Oscar rival

The current issue of Entertainment Weekly dishes the upcoming screen adaptation of "Dreamgirls," which is poised for a major Oscar push (hint, hint: its release date will be late December). Expect "a host of Act 2 changes," says the mag. "There will also be four new songs, including an '11 o'clock number' for Beyonce titled 'Listen' and a paean sung by Jennifer Hudson called 'Love You I Do.' Frets director Bill Condon, 'They'll be saying, "He changed this, he changed that." I mean, that's what I would say.' The studio reps are betting critics and award balloters won't sing the same lament."


Here at GoldDerby, we can report exclusively that the most impressive change of all will be Condon's adaptation of the show's famous, knock-your-block-off musical number, "And I am Telling You I'm Not Going." Don't expect to see Jennifer Hudson hurling herself against the floor repeatedly as Jennifer Holliday did so memorably while weeping and wailing on stage. Condon was so secretive — and excited about — his new interpretation (dare we say choreography?) that he closed off the set to all prying eyes and shot it as one of his last scenes two weeks ago.

EW lists "Dreamgirls" as the number-two choice in the predicted best pic lineup of resident kudo sage Dave Karger. On top of his list is "All the King's Men." Ranking third, fourth and fifth: "The Good German," "The Good Shepard" and "Stranger Than Fiction."

If "Dreamgirls" adapter Condon prevails, it'll be the second time he'll transform a Tony Award loser for best musical into an Oscar champ as best pic, after previous success with "Chicago." In one of the biggest rip-offs in modern Tony history, "Dreamgirls" lost the top musical trophy to Tommy Tune's "Nine," but nonetheless claimed six other wins: actress (Jennifer Holliday), actor (Ben Harney), featured actor (Cleavant Derricks), choreography (Michael Bennett), book (Tom Eyen) and lighting (Tharon Musser).

Photo: The $100 million musical blockbuster is loosely based upon the rise-to-glory of The Supremes. (Dreamworks/Paramount)


That $100mil budget sounds a bit extravagant, non? Oh well, all the better to make the movie glorious. I obviously haven't seen the stage version of Dreamgirls so I don't know if a knewly choreographed sequence of "I'm Telling You..." (a wonderful song btw) is something to get alarmed about.

Oh well, I can't wait for the movie, pity it's not until December US time, which probably means March Australian time. I think The New World is finally released on the 27th of April. As soon as I see that I think I'll finally do my Best of 2005 stuff because I can't wait to see every movie I wanted to (the main 3 left are New World, Cache and Kings & Queen. Cache is scheduled for the end of May I believe and K&Q is as-yet-unscheduled. I HATE YOU AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTERS (that goes for DVD distributers also)

My scorn is upon thee.