Boris Kodjoe Cast In A Lead Role In Big Screen Adaptation Of Zane's 'Addicted'

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• Orville | November 6, 2012 12:34 AMReply

  Too many uptight people geesh, Zane's work is erotica it isn't meant to be great literature and I'm glad because Zane's work is important her work explores black sexuality and explores a different way at looking at it. When Diane Lane played the cheating wife in Unfaithful ten years ago I don't recall the mainstream media saying she ruined or destroyed the lives of white women for playing a cheating wife.
  
  Sometimes black people want film actors to live up to impossible unrealistic standards. Addicted is simply one film that hopefully will look at black sexuality in a different kind of way.
  
  So, why can't black actors take on roles that aren't perfect, and live in a monogamous relationship on screen? Not everyone lives the cookie cutter perfect stereotype of what life is supposed to be. And I think Erotica is a genre where people are able to live through the art their fantasies.
  
  I don't see why black sexuality has to be so sanitized and so pedestrian and so restrained in film. Not everyone likes the same thing we are all individuals. Zane obviously has an audience she's sold over 5 million books she obviously is doing something right. One of the problems I have with the black community is some people want to shackle other blacks from exploring sexuality. Not everyone lives the heteronormative life and conforms to compulsory heterosexuality. I think this movie addicted is a step in the right direction there needs to be more range in film exploring black sexuality in a spectrum.

• Dizzle | October 27, 2012 2:05 AMReply

  I am actually offended at some of the names being thrown in here. Sanaa? Nia? These are real actresses. Unless either of them is facing bankruptcy, why on earth would they take a role in this? This lady is one of the worst best-selling writers I've ever seen. What was that first and popular novel she wrote, which everyone was screaming about? I checked it out to satisfy my curiosity. Well, let's say the fact that I don't even remember the name says it all. There are great movie ideas out there that would serve black actors well, why would anyone greenlight any of her hyper-sexualized, borderline demeaning, characters?

• LeonRaymond | October 26, 2012 11:51 PMReply

  I understand what they are thinking and the choice of Bille Woodruff, but I think it's a horrible selection, and bad for him. They are thinking to get this strong Gay Man to direct this film and he will be able to bring some insight to the female point of view is wrong , smart move wrong director for this particular project. I clearly applaud hiring a strong gay man, although a strong female director would be the correct move and their are many. it comes down to his films and they always border on sudo silly. There are projects that are perfect for for him but not this one. It needs a strong female director and in-fact an older female director at that. Some one who might have some deeper stuff to add to the project then what is on the surface. They should have kept the original director. His selection always make me feel they are going for some Hip-Hop tone to the project!

• Jess | October 26, 2012 8:53 PMReply

  That book was terribly written trash--didn't make it past the second chapter, but given Zane's devotees, I'm not surprised that this received a green light. However, I am surprised that Boris would be associated with her work. I've always thought of him as a class act.

• Darnell | October 26, 2012 11:22 PM

  Good point Jess. Zane's writing leaves much to be desired. She is no E Lynn Harris. In fact, her writing is more akin to Tyler Perry's, and like Tyler, she has many devotees. In respect to who will associate themselves with a project of this nature... well... they can call it "sex addiction" or whatever *wink*, but plain and simple, this is nothing but glossy porn. However, unflattering and/or questionable black images has seldom stopped our actors from raising their hands.

• INTHEKNOW | October 26, 2012 8:43 PMReply

  The lead is Sharon Leal.

• Darnell | October 27, 2012 2:01 AM

  Now Orville, where did I imply that all blacks are up tight about human sexuality? Besides, "human sexuality", as you phrased it, can be exhibited in various ways. So, it's safe to say blacks, or whomever, all have some degree of "up-tightness" or boundaries when it comes to sex. If the story of a cum hungry, adulteress black business woman floats your boat, go for it. But check this, would the story be more or less tantalizing if the woman was unmarried and lived in section 8 housing? I am suggesting that many black women (and men too) seem to enjoy films in which they can vicariously live the life and enjoy the "pleasures" of the person on the screen, without accepting the "consequences" of said persons. But personally, speaking for myself, not for a monolithic group, after reading the synopsis - and knowing Zane does not write anything of "substance" nor "quality" - the movie "Addicted" has nothing to offer me. Therefore, I don't care who plays the part of the duped, the fked, or the fu*ker.

• Orville | October 27, 2012 12:30 AM

  @Darnell, why are you acting like black people are a monolithic group? Not all blacks are up tight about human sexuality. I am not sure how Sharon Leal can sell this project I hope she is NOT the female lead because is isn't a star and she's too old. This project needs to go younger the studio needs to get younger black women interested in seeing this film. Kerry Washington, Megan Good, Paula Patton, Zoe Saldana, Rosario Dawson, Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce, KD Aubert, Enuka Okuma. It would be nice to see the younger black actresses get a chance to shine and get leading lady roles for a change. The younger black women

• ALM | October 26, 2012 7:24 PMReply

  Nia Long, Kerri Washington, Anika Noni Rose, or Sanaa Lathan would be my first choices to pair up for the wife and therapist. I think the change of director is a mistake. No offense to Mr. Woodruff, but a director who has worked on "The Good Wife" is my choice for director. 'The Good Wife" is always on point with regards to writing, acting, and directing. Boris has lost a LOT of his appeal just by opening his mouth. He has made some offensive comments publicly over the last couple of years. I would choose Idris Elba, Terrance Howard, Omar Epps or David Oyelowo for the spouse.

• Orville | October 26, 2012 4:52 PMReply

  I think Bille Woodruff, is a terrible choice that guy directed that terrible hip hop film Honey a while back. I think Addicted needs a female director and not a male director. I sincerely hope Nia Long or Tasha Smith are chosen for the lead female roles I feel they are bit too old for the part. Addicted needs sexier and more hotter younger black actresses in the lead. Kerry Washington, Meagan Good, Jennifer Hudson, or Beyonce, are better choices.

• Akimbo | October 26, 2012 3:40 PMReply

  Forgive the text speak, but my only reaction to this news is "LOL."

• Tonya | October 26, 2012 5:30 PM

  LOL...my reaction was "who cares". Boris isn't hot anymore.