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Oh, my guuudness! Jumping on the Tyler Perry train, Jamie Foxx and Martin Lawrence are set to star in a feature film based on outrageous female characters last seen on 'In Living Color' and 'Martin.'
Screen Gems has acquired Sheneneh and Wanda, a comic vehicle for Jamie Foxx and Martin Lawrence to star in.
The duo is set to play female characters they developed during their stand-up comedy days in the comic caper film. Foxx will write the script, and he and Martin will produce it together through Foxx's Foxxhole and Lawrence's Runteldat banners (production companies).
The project originated as a parody of a movie trailer for a film called 'Skank Robbers,' which Foxx and Lawrence made for the BET Awards (watch below!).
The reaction was strong enough that the duo decided to turn the concept into a real film. In the comedy, Sheneneh and Wanda are modern-day independent women trying to make it on their own, one bank robbery at a time. Source: Screen Gems falls for 'Sheneneh' - Variety
I'm sure I would not apply the term "modern-day independent woman" to throwback parodies Sheneneh or Wanda. In fact, it's an insult. And where Foxx's Wanda used to throw me into hysterics and Wanda's "Heyyyyyy" was my go-to to get a laugh back in the day, I don't think an impoverished woman with a wandering eye is so funny anymore. And I can see Sheneneh's limited world view and not-so-smart life choices even if the male creator of her character doesn't perceive her that way.
I HATE that I laughed at the trailer.
From Eddie Murphy in 'Doctor Doolittle' to Martin Lawrence in 'Big Momma's House' to Tyler Perry as Madea, the number of black men dressing as black women for laughs is feeling oppressive. Maybe it's worse because there are so few strong black female characters to counterbalance these jokes. Even the vision of the strong "urban babe" bank robber has been relegated to the '90s -- unless you're on Wall Street. We are more than a decade away from 'Set if Off.' As troubled as those main characters were, they were strong, smart and dimensional.
What say YOU? Is there anything wrong with black men dressing up as black women for laughs?
Comments: (63)
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By: KJ on 1/18/2011 8:55PM
For real? Why do we need another movie portraying black people as ignorant? Martin and Jamie are both intelligent men, both of which I'm sure could produce a quality film that portrays us in a positive light.
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By: Anne on 12/01/2011 2:48AM
I hear you KJ, but let me give you another perspective...sometimes writers, actors and producers aren't looking to portray the characters in a movie in any form of light, the ONLY goal is to make the audience laugh. There is no stereotype intended (even though it may feel that way to some), and the movie isn't meant to be compared to real life or offend anyone. For example, have you ever made a comment to someone who took what you said TOTALLY out of context and was quite offended by it? Here's soemthing else I'd like to share...I come face to face with so much mental, physical and emotional pain in my profession that sometimes I just want to see a movie that has nothing to do with real life and achieves the sole goal for which it was intended...laughter!!! Just a thought
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By: Rashunn Douglas on 5/17/2011 4:28PM
Hi, my name is Rashunn Douglas and this is for jamie Fox. First i want to say i do think the movie is going to be real good, but sorry to inform you that the person who came to you(jamie foxx),with the idea, i bet it was someone whom take your calls though your radio station. They came to you with a idea for a movie i already wrote. I called in, in search for some help to get the movie out there and yea i gave a little more than what i was supposed to, just believing you would help me out with it, i no its not your fault and i no i messed up by saying to much on an ansewering machine, but i really believed you could help. Ask that person that brought it up to you and ask he/she to be truthful, i had been writing that movie for 8 years in a hope to succeed so my family could live better,and it was tooken from me,not fair, it hurts real bad,it can still work, please give me a chance to show you mine. I listen to your song about your mom and i no she would be proud,please just give me a chance and get the truth out of that person. I wrote a letter also a while ago,my movie can be a second part of yours,please think about it when your by yourself.
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