Knowles To Rev Up 'Cadillac'

Beyonce Knowles is adding "executive producer" to her resume.

The 10-time Grammy winner has signed on to executive produce and star in Darnell Martin's "Cadillac Records" for Sony BMG Films.
Knowles will play Etta James in the 1950s period film about the Chicago record company Chess Records; its founder, Leonard Chess; and the turbulent lives of some of the label's legends, who included Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Howlin' Wolf and Chuck Berry.

Martin ("Their Eyes Were Watching God") penned the screenplay. Sony BMG's Andrew Lack and Sofia Sondervan are producing for the 3-year-old specialty label.

Knowles joins a cast that includes Adrien Brody (Chess), Jeffrey Wright (Waters), Cedric the Entertainer (Willie Dixon) and Columbus Short (Little Walter). Emmanuelle Chriqui and Tammy Blanchard co-star.

Music for the film is being produced by Steve Jordan ("Cars," "The Sopranos"). Knowles will record four songs for the soundtrack, which will be released through Music World Entertainment and Columbia Records.
The singer-actress will donate a portion of her fees for the film to recovering addicts through her family's charity, the Survivor Foundation, according to her reps.

Knowles ("Austin Powers in Goldmember") earned a Golden Globe nomination for her role as Deena Jones in 2006's "Dreamgirls" and a 2008 Grammy nomination for best compilation soundtrack album for the film. She also was nominated for the record of the year Grammy this year for her song "Irreplaceable."

Knowles is repped by ICM and Music World Entertainment. [x]

I guess it's official now that she will indeed play Etta James in the movie. I don't know about these singing roles. Shit got annoying after her Austin Powers gig. Why can't she play a crackhead or a serial killer or some crazy shit? She plays the same exact role in every movie. Talk about being versatile. *rolls eyes* Considering who's directing the film and the extremely talented actors who will also be starring in the film, I have no doubt in my mind that this will be a good film. I'm just pissed Beyonce signed up for it. As much as I love her...

On the flip side, her upcoming album is gearing up to become one hot record. She's working with Timbaland for the majority of the album. Rodney Jerkins ("Say My Name," "Cater 2 U"), Jack Splash (Alicia Key's "Wreckless Love," "Teenage Love Affair") and Freemasons have also claimed that they're working with her on a couple of tracks. It is rumored that both Kanye West and Leona Lewis are in some way, shape or form going to appear on the album as well.