Ray Expected Release Date U.S. : 29th October 2004 Expected Release Date U.K. : 21st January 2005 Expected Rental Release Date : (subject to change) Ray Cast :Jamie Foxx,Regina King and Kerry Washington, David Krumholtz, Richard Schiff, Sharon Warren, Warwick Davis Director : Taylor Hackford Ray Written By :Jimmy White Producers : Other Known Crew Members : Ray Based On : Life story of Ray Charles Premise/Synopsis : Life story of Ray Charles Genre : Biopic Ray Official Site : http://www.raymovie.com/ Fan Sites : Ray Trailer : Ray Various Released By :Paramount Pictures Ray Status : Development Hell How excited are we about Ray : 7 Out Of 10 Our Preview Opinion of Ray: Have you information or found a scoop on Ray ? Email us now! Have your say on Ray in The Z Review's Forum

Today's Movie News:

Latest updates on Ray

Ray Updated :

Thursday 5th May 2005: Ray: DVD Release info: Item Posted by: Kevin Holmes: Ray will be released in the U.K. on R2 DVD on the 6th June 2005. 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen English DD5.1 Surround English SDH subtitles Theatrical and Extended Version – Ray can be viewed in its original theatrical version or in an extended version with over 25 minutes of additional footage not shown in cinemas Extended Musical Performances - Featuring two complete uncut performances of “Hit the Road Jack” and “What Kind of Man Are You” Audio Commentary – with director Taylor Hackford Deleted Scenes – 14 scenes not seen at the cinema “Stepping Into The Part” – On-set interviews, voiceover, and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of Ray Charles and Jamie Foxx preparing Jamie for his incredible physical, mental and musical transformation into the character of Ray Charles Ray Remembered – friends and fellow musicians remember Ray Charles Plus - Theatrical trailer and previews More Uncut Musical Performances - Seven additional complete uncut musical performances of “Hallelujah, I Love Her So,” “Leave My Woman Alone,” “Night Time is the Right Time,” “Unchain My Heart,” “Mary Ann,” “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” and “Hard Times” Filmmakers’ Journey – An in-depth interview with director Taylor Hackford and his producing partner Stuart Benjamin on their 15-year journey to portray Ray Charles’ musical genius and bring their vision to the screen 28-page Bonus Photo Journal   Find the lowest price of Ray on DVD!

8th February 2005: Ray: DVD Review:
DVD Review of Ray posted by Jamie Kelwick
Click Here

21st January 2005: Ray:
Movie Review posted by Jamie Kelwick Click Here

1st December 2004: Ray: Ray will be released in the US on R1 DVD on the 1st February 2005. Find the lowest price of Ray on DVD!

29th October 2004: Ray:
Movie Review posted by Dean Kish Click Here

23rd October 2004: Ray:
Movie Review posted by Bailey Henderson Click Here

Monday 11th October 2004 Ray Update:
Here's the final set of promo images for Ray that stars Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles. Word has it that Foxx's performance is so good that Oscar is being talked about already. It gets released in the US on 29th October and in the Uk on 21st January 2005.

Click Each Pic for MUCH larger versions!

Friday 13th August 2004: Ray Update:
The movie trailer is now online for Ray.
Ray QuickTime Movie Trailer Hi-Res
Ray QuickTime Movie Trailer Med-Res
Ray QuickTime Movie Trailer Lo-Res

Saturday 10th July 2004: Ray Update:
The new trailer for Ray is now online.
Ray Various

2nd June 2004: Ray Update:
Ray has changed it's title to the more manageble Ray and is looking at an October 29th release date. For a picture of Jamie Foxx as Charles pop over to BlackFilm.

Friday 12th March 2004: Unchain My Heart Update:
The distribution rights to Unchain My Heart have been picked up by Universal Pictures and they are planning on releasing the movie on 29th October 2004 in the US.

Monday 30th June 2003: Unchain My Heart Update:
Just received the following on Unchain My Heart "My name is Ben and I am an actor from Houston. I was recently cast as the Southern Marine in Unchain
My Heart, and worked on the film for 2 days. The Southern Marine is a smaller role, but was fun nonetheless. I just wanted to comment on the
skepticism that Jaime couldn't pull off a good Ray impersonation. Well, I must say that in acting opposite Jaime in a few scenes, his transition is
remarkable. He is Ray in this film. After being on set with him for just a couple of days, I'm anxious to see what he does with the remainder of the film. Taylor has quite an intellect and a very determined vision for how to tell this story."

Friday 27th June 2003: Unchain My Heart Update:
Regina King has been talking about her role in Unchain My Heart " It's a
little difficult, because one, this woman isn't alive anymore. And two,
there aren't a lot of images of her. So, I kind of just had to put a prayer
on it and say, 'Margie, speak to me. Just let me do you justice.' I was
listening to every Ray Charles song, probably the last two weeks of
shooting on this film. Like I said, I didn't want to totally take myself
out of it, but I just couldn't wait to start Margie. We are having the most
awesome time. A lot of people that knew her either aren't around or
available to talk to, or aren't alive anymore. I really wish I could have
met her son, he's still alive. But, they don't have any contact with him.
From reading the book and from what Ray said about her in his book, like he
said that Margie, he'd never heard a voice that before, there was only one
Margie Hendrix. Because she came from this church background and she can go from a tenor to a soprano like that, he would have to really work hard with
her to do her parts, but when she got them, it was like wow. So, I kind of
felt like Margie was like Ray's muse, in a way. I kind of approached the
character from that point, like through Ray. It is scary going into it, but
I've got to tell you, when you have all the people that are involved with
this film, involved with it and a good script to start with, you just have
faith. You've got to have faith. Taylor Hackford is the director, we had
the DP from The Pianist, Jamie Foxx looks and acts exactly like Ray
Charles, it's scary. And, Ray Charles just has a great story. In this
movie, unlike Ali for example, I thought the performances were great but I
didn't feel like I left that movie knowing anything more about Ali. I
learned more with When We Were Kings. You know? So, when I first heard
about The Ray Charles Story, I was like, 'Dude, get a script over here as
fast as you can,' because I just don't want it to be a situation where you
don't find something out about this man. Unless you've read his biography,
the things in this movie, you're going to go, 'I had no idea.' Taylor has
such a love for music. This man has a huge appreciation for music, so the
way the songs play in the movie help tell the story. So, I think it's going
to be awesome. I really do."

Thursday 26th June 2003: Unchain My Heart Update:
Just received word that the production on Unchain My Heart is currently at
Ray Charles own home in L.A. They will shoot scenes on his massive m,arble
staricase and the director has aksed for a piano to be painted at the
bottom of his swimming pool. Thanks to Stephanie!

Monday 16th June 2003: Unchain My Heart Update:
Just received the following info on the Unchain My Heart filming " Unlike Jamie Foxx, Ray Charles, Jr. was very nice. He signed autographs and took a moment to take pictures with those watching the filming in Hammond. Warwick Davis was on the site Wednesday, but I'm not sure what role he has. Watching the filming was very interesting. Hammond, LA became Seattle on one side and Atlanta, GA on the other, and they did it all on one block! The funniest thing was when someone was looking for the Sushi Bar and couldn't find it because it had been turned into the Hucklebuck Club for the movie." Thanks to Linda!

Thursday 12th June 2003: Unchain My Heart Update:
Just received word on the Unchain My Heart filming "Film crew was still filming Wednesday evening 11 June here in Hammond , La. The streets are ALL blocked off, couldn't find parking space at my local watering hole!!!!" Thanks to Don!

Thursday 12th June 2003: Unchain My Heart Update:
Just received the following update on the Unchain My Heart filming "They have started filming here in Hammond, Louisiana for Unchain My Heart. The most memorable part was when Jamie Foxx first made his appearance on the set. To the crowd of fans gathered, he let them know "No body needs to take any pictures, and nobody needs to talk to me." This was followed by the crowd booing Foxx, and many leaving. Talking to some of the police on the set, it seems that Jamie has no love for them after he and his sister's recent "run in" with New Orleans Police Department, in which Foxx's sister refused to show her I.D. to get int Harrah's Casino and struck an officer. The demand for no pictures or talking to Foxx may have been directed toward the officers that were on the set to provide for Foxx and the crew's safety." Thanks to Anon!

Friday 6th June 2003: Unchain My Heart Update:
Word reaches us today that Warwick (Willow) Davis has been signed up for a role in Unchain My Heart.

Thursday 15th June 2003: Unchain My Heart Update:
Just received the following information on the filming of Unchain My Heart "I am resident of downtown Hammond, Louisiana, where the production crew Unchain My Heart is transforming a block into Seattle and Atlanta. They are set to begin filming for a two days Monday June 9th and Tuesday June 10th." Thanks to Ron

Monday 12th May 2003: Unchain My Heart Update:
Filming is continuing on Unchain My Heart and will be filming in New Orleans Tuesday to Thursday this week. Thanks to Anon!

24th April 2003: Unchain My Heart Update:
More casting with news that Sharon Warren has been signed up as Ray Charles mother Aretha Robinson. Thanks to Stone!

Wednesday 23rd April 2003: Unchain My Heart Update:
More casting news on Unchain My Heart with word that Richard SChiff has signed up to play Jerry Wexler a record impresario.

Monday 21st April 2003: Unchain My Heart Update:
Casting news on Unchain My Heart with the news that David Krumholtz has signed up to star as Mitz Shaw who was Ray Charles' manager.

Monday 21st April 2003: Unchain My Heart Update:
Just received the following update on filming for Unchain My Heart: "Unchain My Heart" is currently filming in New Orleans, LA. What was explained to the extra's on the day of shooting, which had a call time as early as 5am Sunday April 13, 2003, was that "The scene that we are shooting today is significant to the life story of Ray Charles. Where as he made a milestone decision during what was supposed to be a major concert in Agusta GA. at the Agusta Civic center. At that time in his life, he had just crossed over and was now playing to nearly all white audiences." His black audience however, didn't mind that but was not happy that they were now forced to sit in the back of the concert venue or upstairs in the balcony! We are told that the extras in New Orleans, LA are the most cooperative extras in the entire film industry! While the pay rate is considerably low for extras, the experience is worth the effort, simply because this major motion picture brings you back in time. Being filmed in the south as a time period piece during the 40's, 50's, 60's, & 70's, etc., truly helps the actors realize the emotions of what seemingly took place during the hot summer riot scene that was filmed on Sunday in New Orleans, LA. " Thanks to Anon!

Monday 7th April 2003: Unchain My Heart Update:
Just received the following update on Unchain My Heart "Taylor Hackford is the director and they began shooting the film in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, last Sunday.Ray Charles' son, Ray Charles, Jr. is co-producer. Not sure about names of the other producers. Larenz Tate is playing the role of Quincy Jones." Thanks to Duana!

Monday 31st March 2003: Unchain My Heart Update:
A good article on Unchain My Heart can be found Here

Friday 28th February 2003: Ray Update:
Regina King and Kerry Washington have been cast in biopic Ray, with Jamie Foxx on board to star as the legendary
musician and Mark Rydell directing. King has been cast as Charles'
outrageous mistress, Margie Hendrix, while Washington will play Charles'
wife, Della. Production begins at the end of March. The scrtipt has been written by Jimmy White

Friday 21st February 2003: Unchain My Heart Update:
Word reaches us that filming will start in Unchain My Heart in March in New Orleans. Thanks to DJimothee!

Director Taylor Hackford was attached to this project for a long time but dropped out. This may push it back into development hell for a while.

Page Created: 8/21/01

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