Jennifer Hudson Lands the Plum Role of Effie in 'Dreamgirls'  11/18/05

Jennifer Hudson Lands the Plum Role of Effie in DreamWorks' and Paramount's 'Dreamgirls'

GLENDALE, Calif., Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Former "American Idol" finalist Jennifer Hudson has been cast in the pivotal role of Effie in DreamWorks Pictures' and Paramount Pictures' upcoming screen version of the Tony Award-winning musical "Dreamgirls."

Hudson joins the film's previously announced stars: Oscar(R) winner Jamie Foxx ("Ray"), Beyonce Knowles ("Austin Powers in Goldmember"), Eddie Murphy ("The Nutty Professor," "Dr. Dolittle"), Danny Glover (the "Lethal Weapon" franchise) and Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose (Broadway's "Caroline or Change").

Set in the turbulent late 1960s and early '70s, "Dreamgirls" follows the rise of a trio of women -- Effie (Jennifer Hudson), Deena (Beyonce Knowles) and Lorrell (Anika Noni Rose) -- who have formed a promising girl group called The Dreamettes. At a talent competition, they are discovered by an ambitious manager named Curtis Taylor, Jr. (Jamie Foxx), who offers them the opportunity of a lifetime: to become the back-up singers for headliner James "Thunder" Early (Eddie Murphy). Curtis gradually takes control of the girls' look and sound, eventually giving them their own shot in the spotlight as The Dreams. That spotlight, however, begins to narrow in on Deena, finally pushing the less attractive Effie out altogether. Though the Dreams become a cross-over phenomenon, they soon realize that the cost of fame and fortune may be higher than they ever imagined.

"Dreamgirls" is being directed by Bill Condon from a screenplay he adapted from the stage musical's original book by Tom Eyen. An Academy Award(R) winner for his screenplay for "Gods and Monsters," which he also directed, Condon received another Oscar(R) nomination for his screenplay adaptation of "Chicago." He more recently wrote and directed "Kinsey."

Academy Award(R)-nominated producer Laurence Mark ("Jerry Maguire," "As Good As It Gets," "I, Robot") is producing "Dreamgirls," and Patricia Whitcher ("The Terminal," "Memoirs of a Geisha") is executive producing. The lyrics are by Tom Eyen, with music by Henry Krieger.

A co-production of DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures, "Dreamgirls" will be distributed domestically by DreamWorks, with Paramount handling the international release.

For more information on the film version of "Dreamgirls," as well as future updates, please visit the official website at: www.dreamworks.com/dreamgirls.

DreamWorks SKG 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 Pictures

-0- 11/18/2005