10 Black Actresses Who Could Be Cast In '21 Jump Street' Film

Filed under: News

With the recent casting of Ice Cube in the film adaptation of '21 Jump Street,' the hit TV series that launched the career of Johnny Depp, it's a matter of time before an announcement is made as to who will play the role originated by Holly Robinson Peete.

Peete, who is currently on the CBS chat show, 'The Talk,' which she hosts alongside Julie Chen, Sara Gilbert, Sharon Osbourne and Leah Remini, played Officer Judith "Judy" Hoffs in the series.

Created by Patrick Hasburgh and Stephen J. Cannell, the series aired on Fox TV from 1987 to 1991 and focused on a squad of youthful-looking undercover police officers investigating crimes in high schools, colleges, and other teenage venues.

Already cast in the film are Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill, with Phil Lord and Chris Miller directing the pic for Sony Pictures.

Cube will be playing Captain Dickson, the precinct captain role originated by Steven Williams.

Last September, it was rumored that Emma Stone was in the running for the female lead role, but she took herself out of that equation when she opted for a bigger role, playing play Gwen Stacy in 'The Amazing Spider-Man,' a reboot of the Spider-Man film series.

With the lack of lead roles afforded to black actresses, this would be a great opportunity for someone to be highlighted in a big studio film.

Considering that Depp, Robinson, Peter DeLuise, and Dustin Nguyen were all in their early 20s when they starred in the series and Tatum and Hill are 30 and 27 respectively, Blackvoices.com has compiled a small list of black actresses that could potentially be cast in Robinson Peete's role.

Naturi Naughton - the 26 year-old singer and actress, who was featured in 'Notorious,' 'Fame,' and 'Lottery Ticket' with Ice Cube, was recently cast in an upcoming NBC drama pilot called 'Playboy,' where she will play a stunning African American Bunny determined to become the first black Playboy centerfold.

Tessa Thompson - the 27 year-old Los Angeles native shared the spotlight with Janet Jackson, Thandie Newton, and Anika Noni Rose in Tyler Perry's film, 'For Colored Girls,' and recently had her latest film, 'Everyday Black Man' with Omari Hardwick, released on DVD.

Meagan Good - the 29 year-old Los Angeles native has two upcoming films, including 'Jumping The Broom' with Paula Patton and Angela Bassett, and '35 and Ticking' with Nicole Ari Parker, Kevin Hart, and Tamala Jones. Good was recently seen in the first two episodes of BET's hit series, 'The Game.'

Gabourey Sidibe - the 27 year-old Brooklyn, New York native, who receive the 2009 Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her role in Lee Daniels' film, 'Precious,' recently starred opposite Laura Linney in the Showtime series, 'The Big C.' Sidibe has two upcoming films, including 'Tower Heist' with Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy, and 'Yelling to the Sky' with Zoe Kravitz, Antonique Smith, and Shareeka Epps.

Jessica Lucas - Best known for her roles in the TV series 'Melrose Place' and the film 'Cloverfield,' the 25 year-old Canadian actress is currently in theaters opposite Martin Lawrence and Brandon T. Jackson in 'Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son,' and will be in the upcoming NBC TV series, 'Friends with Benefits.'

Yaya DaCosta - the 28 year-old and former runner-up of 'America's Next Top Model' (Cycle 3) was last seen in 'Tron Legacy' and was featured in 'The Kids Are All Right,' which was Oscar nominated for Best Picture of 2010. The New York native was also featured on the cover of W magazine's September's 'New It Girls' issue for 2010.

Nicole Beharie - the 26 year-old recently finished starring with Jeffrey Wright and Mos Def in the theater production of 'A Free Man of Color,' and is currently shooting Steve McQueen's sex film, 'Shame,' with Michael Fassbender and Carrie Mulligan. The Florida native and Julliard grad also starred in 2009's 'American Violet' with Alfre Woodard.

Lauren London - Since giving birth to Lennox Samuel Ari Carter, son of rapper Lil Wayne, the 26 year-old Los Angeles native has jumped back in the film business with an upcoming role in 'Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family' with Bow Wow. She will also be featured in the new VH1 scripted series 'Single Ladies' opposite Stacey Dash and LisaRaye McCoy.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw - the 27 year-old British native recently starred opposite Boris Kodjoe in the now-cancelled JJ Abrams TV series 'Undercovers,' and will next be seen with Pam Grier and Taraji P. Henson in Tom Hanks' film, 'Larry Crowne.' She also played opposite Jude Law on stage in the Broadway revival of 'Hamlet.'

Zoe Kravitz - As the daughter of musician Lenny Kravitz and actress Lisa Bonet, the 22 year-old Los Angeles native will next be seen in the upcoming film, 'X-Men: First Class,' opposite Michael Fassbender, January Jones, and James McAvoy. She also has a leading in role in Victoria Mahoney's independent film, 'Yelling to the Sky,' which recently made its debut at the Berlin Film Festival.

If producers decide to think outside the box...

Nicki Minaj - While the 26 year-old singer and Trinidad and Tobago native hasn't had any acting experience beyond music videos, she did attend New York's LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts and participated in the drama program. Most recently, not only did Minaj performed on NBC's Saturday Night Live, but she acted in a few skits, leading many to wonder if this was a trial run for a bigger part elsewhere.

Neal H. Moritz serves as producer of the film with the late Stephen J. Cannell, who co-created and exec produced the series and will receive posthumous credit. The film begins shooting in late April.