Cadillac Records - Wikipedia Cadillac Records Cadillac Records Theatrical release poster Directed by Darnell Martin Produced by Sofia Sondervan Andrew Lack Written by Darnell Martin Starring Adrien Brody Beyoncé Jeffrey Wright Narrated by Cedric the Entertainer Music by Terrence Blanchard Steve Jordan Cinematography Anastas Michos Edited by Peter C. Frank Production company Sony Music Film Parkwood Entertainment Distributed by TriStar Pictures ( US ) Release date December 5, 2008 ( 2008 - 12 - 05 ) ( US ) Running time 109 minutes Country United States Language English Budget $12 million Box office $8,880,045 Cadillac Records is a 2008 biographical musical drama film written and directed by Darnell Martin. The film explores the musical era from the early 1940s to the late 1960s, chronicling the life of the influential Chicago - based record - company executive Leonard Chess, and a few of the musicians who recorded for Chess Records. The film stars Adrien Brody as Leonard Chess, Cedric the Entertainer as Willie Dixon, Mos Def as Chuck Berry, Columbus Short as Little Walter, Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Waters, Eamonn Walker as Howlin ' Wolf, and Beyoncé as Etta James. The film was released in North America on December 5, 2008 by TriStar Pictures. Contents 1 Plot 2 Main cast 3 Background 4 Production 4.1 Casting 4.2 Music 5 Release and reception 5.1 Critical reception 5.2 Recognition and accolades 5.3 Home media 6 Awards and nominations 7 See also 8 References 9 External links Plot In 1947 in Chicago, a Jewish immigrant from Poland and bar owner Leonard Chess ( Adrien Brody ) hires a blues combo, including guitarist Muddy Waters ( Jeffrey Wright ) and harmonica player Little Walter ( Columbus Short ). Waters ' and Walter 's success leads to Chess opening the doors for black musicians and beginning a new record label in 1950 - Chess Records. This attracts stars like : Etta James ( Beyoncé Knowles ), Howlin ' Wolf ( Eamonn Walker ) and Chuck Berry ( Mos Def ). Inevitably, business and personal lines blur as the sometimes - turbulent lives of the musicians play out. Main cast Adrien Brody as Leonard Chess Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Waters Beyoncé as Etta James Cedric the Entertainer as Willie Dixon Gabrielle Union as Geneva Wade Columbus Short as Little Walter Emmanuelle Chriqui as Revetta Chess Eamonn Walker as Howlin ' Wolf Mos Def as Chuck Berry Shiloh Fernandez as Phil Chess Jay O. Sanders as Mr. Feder Eric Bogosian as Alan Freed Kevin Mambo as Jimmy Rogers Marc Bonan as Keith Richards Tammy Blanchard as Isabelle Allen Q - Tip as Hip Hop Artist Norman Reedus as Chess record engineer Vincent D'Onofrio as Mississippi DJ ( uncredited ) Elvis Presley as Himself ( archive footage ) ( uncredited ) Background Leonard Chess was the co-founder of the 1950s American record label Chess Records, located in Chicago, Illinois. He ran the legendary company with his brother, Phil, through the 1950s and ' 60s. The label started selling records from the back of Chess ' Cadillac, and launched the careers of legendary musical personalities such as blues singers and harmonica and guitar players Little Walter and Muddy Waters, Howlin ' Wolf, soul legend Etta James and guitarist singer - songwriters Chuck Berry and Willie Dixon. Production Beyoncé at the premiere party for the release of the film The screenplay was written by director Darnell Martin. The filming of Cadillac Records started in February 2008. Filming locations included Louisiana, Mississippi, and New Jersey. Martin directed the film, financed by Sony BMG Film. Cadillac Records was produced by Andrew Lack and Sofia Sondervan, and co-executive produced by Beyoncé Knowles. Casting Originally, Matt Dillon was slated to play the role of Chess, but the role was ultimately given to Academy Award - winner Adrien Brody due to scheduling conflicts with Dillon. Early announcements of the cast also included Columbus Short as Little Walter, Golden Globe winner Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Waters, and multi-Grammy Award winner Beyoncé as Etta James. According to director Martin, the role of James was written with Beyoncé in mind. As production increased, the roster grew to include Canadian actress Emmanuelle Chriqui as Revetta Chess, Tammy Blanchard as Isabelle Allen, English actor Eamonn Walker as Howlin ' Wolf, and comedian Cedric the Entertainer as Willie Dixon. Final line ups of the cast also grew to include rapper Mos Def as Chuck Berry, and Gabrielle Union in the role of Geneva Wade, Muddy Waters ' common law wife. Music Main article : Cadillac Records : Music from the Motion Picture The American multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer Steve Jordan produced the soundtrack to the film. He also picked a group of blues musicians, including Billy Flynn ( guitar ), Larry Taylor ( bass ), Eddie Taylor Jr. ( guitar ), Barrelhouse Chuck ( piano ), Kim Wilson ( harmonica ), Danny Kortchmar ( guitar ), Hubert Sumlin ( guitar ), and Bill Sims ( guitar ) who, along with Jordan on drums, recorded all of the blues songs used in the film. Beyoncé recorded five songs for the soundtrack, including a cover version of Etta James ' `` At Last '' which was released on December 2, 2008 as its lead single. Mos Def, Jeffrey Wright, Columbus Short, and Eamonn Walker recorded songs for the soundtrack, and Raphael Saadiq, Beyoncé 's sister Solange, Mary Mary, Nas, Buddy Guy, and Elvis Presley also appear on the album. The soundtrack was released in single and double - disc editions. The month after the film was released, Beyoncé performed `` At Last '' at the inauguration ball of Barack Obama, as he and wife Michelle danced together for the first time as President and First Lady. The soundtrack spent 48 weeks at number one of the Top Blues Albums. The soundtrack was nominated for three 2010 Grammy Awards in the following categories : Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media, Beyoncé 's `` Once in a Lifetime '' for Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media and Beyoncé 's `` At Last '' for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance. Release and reception The film had its world premiere on November 24, 2008 at the Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles. On December 5, 2008, it was released nationally in the United States of America. On its opening weekend, the film opened at Number 9, grossing $3.4 million in 686 cinemas with an $5,023 average. When the film left cinemas in January 2009, it had yet to recoup its $12 million budget ; it ended its run with a worldwide box office gross of $8,880,045. Critical reception The film received mostly positive reviews. Rotten Tomatoes gives a score of 68 % based on reviews from 120 critics. Its consensus state that `` What Cadillac Records may lack in originality, it more than makes up for in strong performances and soul - stirring music. '' Another review aggretator, Metacritic, gave the film a 65 % approval rating based on 30 reviews classifying that the film has `` generally favorable reviews ''. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun Times gave the film three stars and stated in his review that `` The film is a fascinating record of the evolution of a black musical style, and the tangled motives of the white men who had an instinct for it. '' Elizabeth Weitzman of the Daily News awarded the film three stars and wrote in her review, `` Writer - director Darnell Martin clearly respects the fact that the history of Chess Records is a worthy subject. '' Most critics praised the film for its music, but complained about its script. Jim Harrington of the San Jose Mercury News praised Beyoncé 's vocal performance and wrote in his review that, `` Beyoncé Knowles ' captivating voice and the film 's other pluses ca n't outweigh the glaring omissions from the story line for this critic '' and `` Chess Records deserves, and will hopefully someday get, a better spin than the one delivered by Cadillac Records. '' Recognition and accolades David Edelstein of New York magazine named it the 4th best film of 2008, Stephanie Zacharek of Salon named it the 4th best film of 2008, and A.O. Scott of The New York Times named it the 10th best film of 2008. During the 2009 award season, Knowles received a Satellite Award nomination for her portrayal of Etta James. Knowles, Amanda Ghost, Scott McFarmon, Ian Dench, James Dring and Jody Street received a Golden Globe nomination, Best Original Song, for writing `` Once in a Lifetime '' ; a song Knowles recorded for the film 's soundtrack. The film also garnered seven NAACP Image Award nominations, which included Outstanding Motion Picture, Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture ( Jeffrey Wright ), Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture ( Cedric the Entertainer, Columbus Short and Mos Def ), and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture ( Beyoncé Knowles ). Home Media The film was released on DVD and Blu - ray on March 10, 2009, and sold over 130,000 copies in its first week. To date it has made an estimate of $11,916,737 in sales, which coupled with its box office gross helped the film pay back its $12 million budget ( total gross : $20,796,782 ). Awards and nominations Ceremony Recipient Result African - American Film Critics Association Best Supporting Actor Jeffrey Wright Won Black Reel Award Best Film Won Best Ensemble Won Best Director Darnell Martin Nominated Best Screenplay, Adapted or Original Nominated Best Supporting Actor Jeffrey Wright Won Eamonn Walker Nominated Mos Def Nominated Best Breakthrough Performance Columbus Short Nominated Golden Globe Award Best Original Song `` Once In a Lifetime '' Nominated Grammy Award Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media Nominated Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media Nominated Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance `` At Last '' Won NAACP Image Award Outstanding Motion Picture Nominated Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture Jeffrey Wright Nominated Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Beyoncé Knowles Nominated Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture Cedric the Entertainer Nominated Columbus Short Won Mos Def Nominated Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture ( Television or Film ) Darnell Martin Nominated Satellite Award Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Beyoncé Knowles Nominated See also film portal List of American films of 2008 Cadillac Records : Music from the Motion Picture References ^ Jump up to : `` Cadillac Records ( 2008 ) ''. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved January 6, 2009. ^ Jump up to : Rodriguez, Jayson ( February 20, 2008 ). `` Beyoncé To Portray Legendary Blues Singer Etta James and Jerry Rotella In ' Cadillac Records ' ''. MTV News. Retrieved 2008 - 03 - 28. ^ Jump up to : Hollywood reporter ( February 20, 2008 ). `` Beyoncé Producing, Starring in ' Cadillac Records ' ''. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2008 - 03 - 28. ^ Jump up to : Tilly, Chris ( February 20, 2008 ). `` Beyoncé Signs to Cadillac Records ''. IGN. Retrieved 2008 - 03 - 28. ^ Jump up to : Simmons, Leslie ( October 15, 2007 ). `` Matt Dillon playing Chess in music movie ''. Reuters. Retrieved 2008 - 03 - 28. ^ Jump up to : IGN staff ( January 22, 2008 ). `` Cadillac Cast ''. IGN. Retrieved 2008 - 03 - 28. Jump up ^ `` Filming locations for Cadillac Records ( 2008 ) ''. Archived from the original on December 25, 2008. Retrieved August 2, 2013. ^ Jump up to : Haves, Dade ( January 21, 2008 ). `` Brody, Wright set to drive ' Cadillac ' ''. Variety. Retrieved 2008 - 03 - 28. Jump up ^ Hollywood reporter ( January 22, 2008 ). `` Brody, Wright Starring in ' Cadillac ' ''. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2008 - 03 - 28. Jump up ^ Light, Allan ( November 14, 2008 ). `` Pop Music 's Dreamgirl Awakens Her Earthy Side ''. The New York Times. Retrieved 2008 - 11 - 21. Jump up ^ Winter Miller ( March 30, 2008 ). `` Duo drives ' Cadillac ' ''. Variety. Retrieved 2008 - 08 - 06. Jump up ^ Simmons, Leslie ( February 20, 2008 ). `` Beyoncé Starring In Chess Records Film ''. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008 - 03 - 30. ^ Jump up to : Cohen, Jonathan ( November 11, 2008 ). `` Beyoncé Belts It Out On ' Cadillac ' Soundtrack ''. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008 - 11 - 12. Jump up ^ Goldman, Russell ; Fisher, Luchina ( January 20, 2009 ). `` At Last ! Obama Dances Into History at 10 Balls ''. ABC News. Archived from the original on January 18, 2012. Retrieved July 19, 2014. Jump up ^ Adler, Shawn ( November 24, 2008 ). `` Beyoncé, Etta James And ' Cadillac Records ' Stars Come Out For Movie 's Premiere ''. MTV. Retrieved November 26, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Weekend Box Office Results from December 5 -- 7, 2008 ''. Box Office Mojo. December 7, 2008. Retrieved December 9, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Cadillac Records ''. Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved 2008 - 12 - 07. Jump up ^ `` Cadillac Records ( 2008 ) : Reviews ''. Metacritic. CBS. Retrieved 2008 - 12 - 07. Jump up ^ `` Cadillac Records - Roger Ebert Review ''. Chicago Sun - Times. Retrieved 2008 - 12 - 07. Jump up ^ Weitzman, Elizabeth ( December 4, 2008 ). `` ' Cadillac Records ' takes a greatest - hits approach ''. New York Daily News. Retrieved 2008 - 12 - 07. Jump up ^ `` ' Cadillac Records ' : Good music, shaky history ''. Mercury News. December 5, 2008. Retrieved 2008 - 12 - 07. ^ Jump up to : `` Metacritic : 2008 Film Critic Top Ten Lists ''. Metacritic. Archived from the original on February 24, 2010. Retrieved January 11, 2009. Jump up ^ `` 2008 13th Annual SATELLITE TM Awards ''. International Press Academy. Archived from the original on December 2, 2008. Retrieved 2011 - 11 - 03. Jump up ^ `` HFPA - Nominations and Winners ''. Golden Globes. 2008. Retrieved 2011 - 11 - 03. Jump up ^ Ryder, Caroline ( January 5, 2009 ). `` Beyoncé & Co ''. Variety. Retrieved 2009 - 01 - 07. Jump up ^ `` The 40th Annual NAACP Image Awards ''. naacpimageawards.net. January 7, 2009. Archived from the original on February 11, 2009. Retrieved 2009 - 01 - 08. ^ Jump up to : `` Cadillac Records - DVD Sales - The Numbers ''. The Numbers /. Retrieved 2009 - 04 - 03. External links Official website Cadillac Records on IMDb Cadillac Records at AllMovie Cadillac Records at Box Office Mojo Cadillac Records at Rotten Tomatoes Films directed by Darnell Martin I Like It Like That ( 1994 ) Prison Song ( 2001 ) Their Eyes Were Watching God ( 2005 ) Cadillac Records ( 2008 ) The Lost Valentine ( 2011 ) Black Reel Award for Outstanding Film 2000 - 2009 The Hurricane ( 2000 ) Love & Basketball ( 2001 ) Training Day ( 2002 ) Antwone Fisher ( 2003 ) Out of Time ( 2004 ) Ray ( 2005, drama ) Lightning in a Bottle ( 2005, comedy / musical ) Crash ( 2006 ) Dreamgirls ( 2007 ) Cadillac Records ( 2008 ) no awards in 2009 2010 - present Precious ( 2010 ) Night Catches Us ( 2011 ) The Help ( 2012 ) Beasts of the Southern Wild ( 2013 ) 12 Years a Slave ( 2014 ) Selma ( 2015 ) Creed ( 2016 ) Moonlight ( 2017 ) Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cadillac_Records&oldid=808811318 '' Categories : 2008 films English - language films American films 2000s drama films 2000s musical films Films set in the 1950s Films set in 1951 Films set in 1956 African - American films African - American musical films Biographical films about musicians American biographical films American musical drama films American rock music films Films directed by Darnell Martin Films shot in Mississippi Films shot in Louisiana Films shot in New Jersey Films about music and musicians Films about race and ethnicity TriStar Pictures films Film scores by Terence Blanchard Hidden categories : Use mdy dates from October 2012 Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia Talk Contents About Wikipedia Català Deutsch Dolnoserbski Español فارسی Français Bahasa Indonesia Italiano 日本 語 Polski Português Русский Svenska ไทย Türkçe Edit links This page was last edited on 5 November 2017, at 09 : 33. 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Question: who did mos def play in cadillac records
Answer: Chuck Berry