By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

It's official: Ciara will play the starring role in the filmed adaptation of 'Mama, I Want to Sing.' The movie, based on the Vy Higginsen-created hit Off-Broadway musical, centers on the story of choir girl morphing into a pop star. According to 'Variety,' 'Mama' will also star R&B diva Patti LaBelle and screen siren Lynn Whitfield. The film is scheduled to start shooting next month ins Louisiana with plans of opening in theaters next February.

Fresh off the release of the box-office disaster known as Craig Brewer's 'Black Snake Moan,' Samuel L. Jackson is showing resilience with upcoming film projects. The 'Snakes on the Plane' star is reportedly in talks to play a super villain in the Frank Miller-directed comic book adaptation 'The Spirit.' The story follows Denny Colt, an ambitious young cop murdered in the line of duty who is reborn as the masked mystery man known as the Spirit. If all works out, Jackson would play the Spirit's nemesis, the Octopus, a timid lab assistant who reinvents himself as a psychotic nightmare that kills anyone unfortunate enough to see his face. The Octopus' tentacles reach into every aspect of crime in fictitious Central City, a metropolis he plans to wipe out. The film will mark the first solo directing project for Miller, who co-helmed 2005's "Sin City" with Robert Rodriguez.

Jamie Foxx, who will next star in 'The Kingdom' (opening this fall ) is reportedly on board to co-executive produce a new basketball-themed comedy for TBS. TNT Sports analyst and former NBA player Kenny Smith recently let the cat out o the bag, during an interview with Chris Yandek of TheSportsInterview.com. "We have been doing an interesting show about an NBA player that has to live at home. That's the basis of it," said Smith, who will co-producer the yet to be titled show. "It's a sitcom obviously. A guy living at home with his family, a young guy who just makes the NBA."