Get On Up, the upcoming biopic about legendary soul singer James Brown, has added two more notables to the cast. Dan Aykroyd and Jill Scott have joined the production; Aykroyd will play Ben Bart, president of the agency that represented Brown for almost 50 years and Scott will play one of the Godfather of Soul’s wives. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the role was written specifically for the singer-actress.
Brown himself will be played by Chadwick Boseman, star of 42. The film begins shooting this month and follows Brown’s life from childhood through his influential, and often-turbulent, career. Legendary Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger is co-producing the project. The film had been in limbo for more than 15 years, but the project has been fast-tracked since producers finally secured the rights to Brown’s musical catalog. During the long road to getting this film made, superstar Eddie Murphy, director Spike Lee and numerous others had been attached to the movie. Brown himself was assisting with getting the film made before his death in December 2006.
Viola Davis, Oscar winner Octavia Spencer and “Walking Dead’s” Lennie James are also featured in the film. Tate Taylor will be directing. Taylor directed The Help previously.
Co-producer Brian Grazer told Rolling Stone, “I like to make movies about mastery and genius, and it’s hard to find great subjects. And James Brown is a visually dynamic subject.”
