7 Actors Who Could Star In New Lionel Richie Musical

Disney is developing a movie musical based on Lionel Richie’s catalog of chart-topping hits. The film, titled All Night Long, is named after his hit song from 1983.

According to Variety the live-action film, will feature such songs as “Hello,” “Say You, Say Me,” “Endless Love” and more. The project is being developed not as a biopic but more like Mamma Mia!, with a story being developed around the songs.

No word on casting but we think these seven guys have the acting and vocal chops needed to sing Richie’s songs.

Brandon Victor Dixon

Fans may know Brandon Victor Dixon for his role as Terry Silver on Power but he’s also a Tony and Emmy nominated Broadway star. His credits include the leading role of Berry Gordy Jr. in Motown: The Musical, Harpo in the Color Purple and Eubie Blake in Shuffle Along.  In 2018, Dixon portrayed Judas Iscariot in NBC’s live concert version of Jesus Christ Superstar and also assumed the role of Aaron Burr in Hamilton.

Leslie Odom Jr.

Leslie Odom Jr. originated the role of Aaron Burr in Hamilton on Broadway and nabbed a Tony and Grammy Award for his work. But his music skills range beyond spoken word and rap.  Odom, who was featured singing and playing the piano in a Nationwide Insurance commercial in 2016, and has also released three jazz albums.

Trevor Jackson

Trevor Jackson is not only a talented actor, with a starring role on Grown-ish but is also a talented singer. He has starred in The Lion King on Broadway playing Young Simba. In 2012 he signed to Atlantic Records and released the EP #New Thang. He has also released two studio albums Rough Drafts, Pt. 1 and Rough Drafts, Pt. 2 and the mixtape In My Feelings.

Rome Flynn

Fans may know Rome Flynn for his roles on The Bold and the Beautiful for which he won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series, How To get Away With Murder and The Haves and The Have Not’s but he’s also a talented R&B singer. He recently released the singles “Brand New” and “Keep Me In Mind,” and he also plays the guitar and piano.

 Kelvin Harrison Jr.

Kelvin Harrison Jr. is not only a talented actor but also musician. The New Orleans native had breakthrough performances in Luce and Waves and has also landed roles in The Photograph and season two of HBO’s Euphoria. But it’s his role in The High Note where he flexed his singing skills. Before acting he studied under the famed Marsalis family and can play the piano and the trumpet.

Jacob Latimore

Jacob Latimore has been showcasing his acting and singing skills since an early age. He released his first single “Best Friend” when he was just nine years old and has dropped two studio albums and a string of mixtapes. In 2013 he starred in the Christmas musical Black Nativity opposite Jennifer Hudson and Angela Bassett. He’s also shared the screen with Will Smith in Collateral Beauty and had starring roles in the films Sleight, Detroit and Gully and the Showtime TV series The Chi.

Luke James

There’s no denying Luke James can sing. He’s began his music career singing background for Tyrese and was signed by Clive Davis himself to his J Records imprint. Since he’s released two studio albums and two mixtapes and earned two Grammy Nominations. He’s also nabbed a string of roles on the big and small screen including Little, Noah Brooks on Star and singer Johnny Gil in the 2017 TV biopic The New Edition Story. He will also be featured in the third season of The Chi starting 2020.