Wesley Snipes' Brown role

9 months ago 29th Jan 13:30

Wesley Snipes has been confirmed to play James Brown in an upcoming biopic.

The 'Blade' actor - who is currently appealing his three-year prison sentence for tax evasion - has signed to portray the late soul star in director Spike Lee's upcoming movie.

We're doing it together - it's going to happen

Lee told MTV News: "We're doing it together - it's going to happen. He's my man."

However, Lee claims Snipes will not be singing any of the star's hit tracks including 'I Got You (I Feel Good)' and 'Get Up Offa That Thing', opting to dub recordings of Brown - who died of heart failure in December 2006 - over him.

He added: "I want to hear James Brown's voice. That's just my personal taste.

"I know Joaquin Phoenix in 'Walk the Line,' he did some of the singing. I'm a purist."

Recordings of Ray Charles were used instead of actor Jamie Foxx in director Taylor Hackford's 2004 biopic 'Ray'.