“Cadillac Records” Movie Trailer Video

Here is the first full-length theatrical trailer for “Cadillac Records,” starring Adrien Brody, Beyoncé Knowles and Jeffrey Wright. The movie will be released in theaters December 5, 2008. See photos and the movie trailer here.

Adrien Brody and Beyoncé Knowles star in “Cadillac Records” (2008)

The highly anticipated music biopic is based on the true story of the 1950s era Chess Records in Chicago, which Leonard Chess (Adrien Brody) founded with his brother Phil. Chess launched the careers of music legends such as Etta James (Beyoncé Knowles) Muddy Waters (Jeffrey Wright), Willie Dixon (Cedric the Entertainer), Chuck Berry (Mos Def), Little Walter (Columbus Short) and Howlin’ Wolf (Eamonn Walker). The movie also stars Gabrielle Union as Geneva Wade, the girlfriend of Muddy Waters, Eric Bogosian as Alan Freed, Shiloh Fernandez as Phil Chess and Emmanuelle Chriqui as Revetta Chess.

The movie was written and directed by Darnell Martin (”Their Eyes Were Watching God” and “I Like It Like That”) and produced by Sofia Sondervan and Andy Lack for Sony BMG Films. Coincidentally, “Cadillac Records” is one of two movies produced this year which chronicle the story of Chess Records; the other movie is “”Who Do You Love,” directed by Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks and starring Alessandro Nivola as Leonard Chess, and recently screened at the Toronto Film Festival.

The real challenge for films that re-create the lives of real characters is–how true to life are they? Sony hasn’t screened “Cadillac Records” yet, but the person who knows the story best of all–Leonard’s son, Marshall Chess, who served as a technical consultant on both projects–says both movies took some dramatic liberties with many of the characters’ personal lives.

“Cadillac Records” will have a wider release and the advantage of a cast of stars.

Matt Dillon was originally cast to play Leonard Chess, but the role was given to Adrien Brody due to conflicts in Dillion’s schedule. Adrien Brody rose to fame after his memorable role in Roman Polanski’s “The Pianist” (2002) for which he won the Best Actor Academy Award, becoming, at age 29, the youngest actor ever to win the award. He was under consideration for the role of The Joker in “The Dark Knight” prior to Heath Ledger’s casting in the role.

Beyoncé Knowles has performed Etta James’ signature song, the 1961 hit, “At Last” live several times this year, notably at Condé Nast Media Group’s 5th Annual Fashion Rocks 2008 concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York City in September 2008. Etta James, now 70 years old, was present and in the front row as Beyoncé sang and James shared the ovation with her after the performance.

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.”

Sony BMG will release the soundtrack for “Cadillac Records” on December 2, 2008.

More photos and “Cadillac Records” movie trailer video are below.