Eddie Murphy Joins the Cast of DreamWork's Dreamgirls  6/13/05

GLENDALE, Calif., June 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Eddie Murphy will join Beyonce Knowles and Jamie Foxx in the main cast of DreamWorks Pictures' upcoming screen version of the Tony Award-winning musical "Dreamgirls," under the direction of Bill Condon.

"Dreamgirls" follows the rise of a trio of African-American women-Effie, Deena and Lorrell -- who have formed a promising singing group called The Dreamettes. Murphy as been set to star as superstar performer James "Thunder" Early, for whom the Dreamettes sing back up, before they take over the spotlight themselves as The Dreams.

One of the most popular comedy stars of all time, Murphy has earned Golden Globe nominations for his work in "48 Hrs.," "Trading Places," "Beverly Hills Cop," and "The Nutty Professor," in which he played seven different characters. He added an eighth character for the hit sequel, "The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps," and has also starred in such hit comedies as "Daddy Day Care," "Dr. Dolittle" and "Coming to America." In addition, Murphy provides the inimitable voice of Donkey in the blockbuster computer-animated "Shrek" films, for which he has won an Annie Award and earned a BAFTA nomination.

DreamWorks SKG (NYSE: DWA) was formed in October 1994 by its three principal partners-Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen. The studio is actively involved in the production of live-action motion pictures and network and cable television programs, and the distribution of live-action and animated feature films, as well as home video entertainment. SOURCE DreamWorks SKG

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