Now, we’re all for early promotion and getting the idea of your film out to the general public. But the new trend for ultra-early teaser trailers is getting a little crazy. Case in point: the new Dreamgirls trailer.
DreamWorks and Paramount are clearly so anxious to start building buzz that they’ve released what can only be described as a glorified Bond opening title sequence (though with 100% less guns and nudity) as a series of Supremes-alike singers croon in silhouette. Nice music, shame about the total lack of actual footage.
Still, the musical will be directed by Bill Condon (Gods & Monsters/Kinsey), who also wrote Chicago, so chances are this will be a quality production. The plot is a cost-of-fame finger-wagger based on the Tony Award-winning musical, set in the turbulent late 1960s and early '70s. It follows the rise of a trio of women - Effie (Jennifer Hudson), Deena (Beyonce Knowles) and Lorrell (Anika Noni Rose) - who have formed a group called The Dreamettes. At a talent competition, they are discovered by ambitious manager Curtis Taylor, Jr (Jamie Foxx), who offers them the opportunity of a lifetime: to become the back-up singers for headliner James "Thunder" Early (Eddie Murphy). Curtis gradually takes control of the girls' look and sound, eventually giving them their own shot in the spotlight as The Dreams. That spotlight, however, begins to narrow in on Deena, finally pushing the less attractive Effie out altogether…
Sounds good, right? Just don’t go holding that breath yet. It’s not out until December 2006 at the earliest.
Still, if you want to watch the trailer, head to the official site here .
