Here are the first photos of Beyonce Knowles as Etta James and costar Adrien Brodi as Leonard Chess in the highly anticipated  Cadillac Records.  The movie, directed by Darnell Martin, is set in the 1950s and chronicles the life and times of legendary Chicago-based record-company executive Leonard Chess.   The movie also stars Cedric the Entertainer as Willie Dixon, Mos Def as Chuck Berry, Columbus Short as Little Walter, Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Waters.  Cadillac Records will be released in theaters December 5, 2008.

It’s the first movie for Beyoncé since Dreamgirls, which earned her two Golden Globe nominations and won co-star Jennifer Hudson an Academy Award.

Etta James (L) Beyonce Knowles (R)

Etta James approved of the casting of the 27-year-old diva, despite a difference in looks.

“It’s a privilege and an honour to have somebody like that girl,” she said. “I don’t think she looks like me, but that’s all right. They can fix that up.”

Source: The Sun: Beyonce Goes Blond

To see and hear Beyonce performing “At Last” – Etta James’ signature song – see:

• Video & Photos: Beyonce “At Last” Performance Bermuda Music Festival 10-2-08
• Video & Photos: Fashion Rocks 2008 Beyonce as Etta James “At Last” + Justin Timberlake Duet

Photos via Beyonce gets the blues by going blonde for Etta James tribute and CinemaBlend – First Looks: Pandorum, Cadillac Records, Edge Of Darkness

Beyonce Knowles as Etta James and Adrien Brodi as Leonard Chess in Cadillac Records (2008)

Beyonce Knowles as Etta James in Cadillac Records (2008)

The Cadillac Records soundtrack (Sony BMG )will be released on December 2, 2008.  Here is the tracklisting.

1. At Last (Beyoncé) 2. I’d Rather Go Blind (Beyoncé) 3. Once In A Lifetime (Beyoncé) 4. No Particular Place To Go (Mos Def) 5. Nadine (Mos Def) 6. Hoochie Coochie Man (Jeffrey Wright) 7. I’m A Man (Jeffrey Wright) 8. My Babe (Columbus Short) 9. The Sound (Mary Mary) 10. Let’s Take A Walk (Raphael Saadiq) 11. 6 O’Clock Blues (Solange) 12. Last Night (Little Walter) 13. Bridging The Gap (Nas w/Olu Dara)

Via Black Voices Blog – ‘Cadillac Records’ Soundtrack To Be Released In December

Related posts:

• Photos: Conde Nast 5th Anniversary Fashion Rocks 2008 Concert Performances 9-5-08
• Beyonce InStyle Magazine November 2008 Cover, Photos, Video
• Beyonce “I Am…Sasha Fierce” Album Cover + Tracklisting (Official)
•  Music Video: Beyonce “‘Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” + Behind the Scenes Video
• Beyonce Essence Magazine November 2008 Cover
• Video & Photos: Beyonce “At Last” Performance Bermuda Music Festival 10-2-08
• Photos: Beyonce Honored at Miami Children’s Hospital 2008 Diamond Ball 10-4-08
• Beyonce “Fashion Rocks” Photo 2008
• Photos: Beyonce, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake Fashion Rocks September 2008
• Photos: Beyonce Marie Claire UK October 2008 Photo Shoot
• Beyonce Marie Claire UK Cover October 2008
• Beyonce L’Oreal Ad Campaign Photo ELLE Magazine September 2008
• Video & Photos: Solange, Beyonce and Tina Knowles on CBS The Early Show 8-28-08

First Look: Beyonce as Etta James “Cadillac Records” (Photos), Soundtrack Album Cover pics pictures