Singer Usher looks all set to take on his first dramatic vehicle with Lions Gate Films' "Dying for Dolly," whilst at the same time MGM is trying to line up the project with "Step in the Name of Love" according to Variety.
Ron Underwood will direct "Dying for Dolly," with Emmanuelle Chriqui signed as the female lead and Chazz Palmintieri in a small role. Production begins December 12th on the movie in which Usher plays the loyal right-hand man to a Mafia don. He's been assigned to watch over the don's daughter, but the dad doesn't know the bodyguard and the girl have long nursed a mutual crush.
At the same time, MGM has selected Craig Brewer ("Hustle & Flow") to rewrite "Step in the Name of Love" as an urban "Saturday Night Fever" that Usher would star in and produce. Brewer will redraft a script by Carl Seaton and Kenny Young which the studio bought several months ago. Set in the world of steppin', a flashy kind of dance reminiscent of swing dancing. Thanks to 'CK'.
