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Casting Motown greats

Otis Redding played by Wesley Snipes An electrifying performer cursed with a tragic death in a plane crash at only 26, Otis Redding, left, is ripe material for a Hollywood biopic. What's taking so long? We're not entirely sure if Wesley Snipes, right, is up to the task of belting out his version of "(Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay," but if Val Kilmer can channel Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone's "The Doors," anything's possible.

Otis Redding played by Wesley Snipes
An electrifying performer cursed with a tragic death in a plane crash at only 26, Otis Redding, left, is ripe material for a Hollywood biopic. What’s taking so long? We’re not entirely sure if Wesley Snipes, right, is up to the task of belting out his version of “(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay,” but if Val Kilmer can channel Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s “The Doors,” anything’s possible.  (Warner Bros. / AP)

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Gladys Knight played by Gabrielle Union
She got a little nuts with the baccarat tables in the 1980s, but otherwise, doe-eyed singer Gladys Knight, left, keeps it clean. A leader in the Mormon church, Knight is also known for her Christmas duets with Johnny Mathis. Who can project such innocence on the silver screen? Gabrielle Union, right, who honed her chops in teen movies including “10 Things I Hate About You.”  (Motown / AP)

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