Daily Variety (July 30, 1996) p.1
Dish: Hey, Hey, Hey, It's Fat Albert
By: Michael Fleming
HEY, HEY HEY: If "The Nutty Professor" is any indication, fat guys can
spell heavy box office. What better time, then, to shop the live-action
feature version of "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids," the cartoon series
hatched by Bill Cosby. Sources said that Hype Williams is being hyped
to make his feature directing debut, with Camille Cosby (Bill Cosby's
wife) serving as executive producer. Williams -- who's directed the
videos of rappers such as Snoop Doggy Dog, Dr. Dre and Tupac Shakur --
is writing a story in consultation with Bill Cosby. The film will be
produced by Davis Ent. and Lord/Weaver Prods. William Morris chairman-
CEO Norman Brokaw, who reps Cosby, expects a studio deal shortly.
"There has been several studios expressing strong interest, and we'll
lock something in with Bill shortly for a live-action feature," said
Brokaw, who's brokering the sale with John Mass, Spencer Baumgarten and
Alan Gasmer. Who'd be right to play the characters voiced in the series
by Cosby? Though he might have to borrow a fat suit from Eddie Murphy,
"Independence Day" star Will Smith is being talked up to play the title
character. For supporting characters like Dumb Donald, Mushmouth and
Weird Harold, thesps like Chris Tucker and Chris Rock are being
mentioned. There also will be a soundtrack, with Dr. Dre possibly
producing.
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