Pass The Popcorn: HBO’s ‘Bessie’ To Star Queen Latifah, Premieres May 16th

HBO has announced that it’s forthcoming 22-years-in-the-making Bessie Smith biopic treatment Bessie will be arriving on May 16th, almost a month after what would have been the blues legend’s 101st birthday. The film will star Queen Latifah as the first lady of blues and follow her ascent from the destitute and impoverished Chattanooga roots to recording industry stardom, and as the one of the very first women to do so, regardless of race. Latifah has also contributed a fair amount to the film’s score, which finds the Queen herself at the vocal helm of some of Smith’s most cherished material. Bessie will also star Mo’Nique as fellow blues giant Ma Rainey, Bryan Greenberg as legendary A&R and record producer John Hammond, Michael K. Williams as Bessie’s dispicable husband Jack Gee, as well as Mike Epps, Oliver Platt and a slew of others. Star-studded and an ill soundtrack to boot? Count us in. There’s no official trailer for the film yet, but you know exactly where to get it when it drops. Check back for all of the details as we creep up on the film’s release.