Usher looks set for Dreamgirls

R&B star Usher has confirmed he is in negotiations to star in a new movie version of the musical Dreamgirls - just days after his mother denied any association with the project.

If he signs, Usher is expected to play choreographer CC White, alongside Beyonce Knowles and Jamie Foxx - Eddie Murphy is also being mooted to play James 'Thunder' Early, a fictional cross between James Brown and Marvin Gaye.

Just five days ago Usher's mother Jonnetta Patton insisted: "Usher has not confirmed his participation in the film Dreamgirls, and a deal has not been set or finalised."

But the singer now admits: "It is not 100% confirmed yet, but it is something that I am entertaining. Dreamgirls is the name of it and it did actually touch Broadway."

Knowles has signed up to play Deena Jones, the leader of a trio of female soul singers - loosely based on The Supremes - who cross over to the pop charts during the early 1960s.