Wendell Pierce as Marcus Garvey

A well-respected character actor for many years, Pierce became a breakout star after his memorable performance on The Wire. We think he’d have the strength and flamboyance to bring Marcus Garvey to life on screen.

Keith David as Harold Washington

The late Harold Washington’s story would make for a fascinating biopic. In the 1980s, Washington became the first black mayor of Chicago against considerable odds. Character actor Keith David would be a great choice for this role.

Kimberly Elise as Harriet Tubman

Elise has shown grit and determination in role after role (Diary of a Mad Black Woman, John Q and Beloved to name a few) which would be ideal qualities for any actress to portray as one of the greatest black female heroines in history.

Don Cheadle as Miles Davis

It’s kind of surprising that there’s yet to be a big screen biopic about one of the most ecclectic, eccentric and influential musicians in history. But if there ever is—we’d love to see Don Cheadle master his cool whisper of a voice and re-create his various looks.

Kerry Washington as Rosa Parks

Kerry Washington not only has the waif-like physique and bone structure of this civil rights icon—she also brings the same quiet dignity to many of her roles.

Denzel Washington as Paul Robeson

Paul Robeson was a scholar, actor, singer and political provocateur. Only a performer of Denzel Washington’s stature could begin to fill his shoes. Luckily he’s played great real-life men before (see his Steven Biko in Cry Freedom and Malcolm X).

Chris Tucker as Little Richard

Tucker is a talented comic actor but he needs to get beyond his Rush Hour comfort zone. We can’t think of a better way than for this high-pitched actor to tackle the role of a lifetime: Little Richard.

Andre3000 as Jimi Hendrix

Andre3000’s oddball style and somewhat hippie-ish persona has made him stand apart in the world of hip-hop and we think it’d make him a terrific choice to play the legendary late rock n’ roll legend.

Paula Patton as Coretta Scott King

Paula Patton is undeniably a great beauty but Precious proved she also has some serious acting chops. A biopic on the late, great widow of Dr. Martin Luther King is long overdue and Patton would be an interesting choice for the lead.

Tommy Davidson as Sammy Davis Jr

Sammy Davis Jr. was a multi-faceted talent, equally adept at dance, song and comedy (his impressions were legendary). In Living Color veteran has some of the same energy, wit and charm. We think he’d make a great Sammy.

Mos Def as Bill Cosby

Sure it seems like an odd choice, but bear with us. The two starred together on the ill-fated Cosby Mysteries. Mos Def is actually funny enough to pull off a pretty spot-on impression of the legendary comedian and he could be made to resemble an I Spy era-Cosby with the right makeup and costume.

Viola Davis as Dorothy Height

Over the last decade, Viola Davis has quietly built up a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most dependable and dynamic character actresses. After breakout roles in Doubt and Fences, we think she’s ready to carry a film on her own. And she fills out an old-fashioned hat quite nicely.

Jesse L. Martin as Marvin Gaye

Motown legend Marvin Gaye’s celebrated but ultimately tragic life story is perfect biopic fodder. We think Hollywood should bypass bigger box office draws and seek out Law and Order veteran Martin, who not only looks like the Let’s Get It On loverman but can sing too.

Eddie Murphy as James Brown

Murphy has been brilliantly impersonating Jame Brown for decades and his dramatic role in Dreamgirls was heavily influenced by the Godfather of Soul. It’s about time he suited up as the hardest man in show business on the big screen.

Forrest Whitaker as Hank Aaron

Now that the imposing Whitaker has seriously slimmed down, we think he could fill Aaron’s cleats in a film about his late career quest for the home run record.

Idris Elba as Sidney Poitier

Rising star Idris Elba (Takers, The Wire) has the poise and classic style to bring the life of screen legend Sidney Poitier before a new generation of audiences.

Alicia Keys as Lena Horne

Lena Horne was one of the most sought after and beloved beauties of her day. Who better than modern day songstress/sex symbol Alicia Keys to tell her story on film.

Gary Dourdan as Bob Marley

Most audiences known Dourdan from his work on the hit TV series CSI. But we think his funky character Shazza Zulu on A Different World showed he had the right stuff to impersonate Bob Marley in the movies.

Tamia as Josephine Baker

Legendary beauty Josephine Baker broke barriers in the 20s and 30s by becoming an international sex symbol. Tamia has the beauty and the talent to play a convincing big screen Baker.

Johnny Depp as Michael Jackson

Think about it, he’s played childlike eccentric geniuses (Finding Neverland), he can sing (Sweeney Todd) and he is a true chameleon of an actor—barely recognizable from role-to-role. If anyone could recreate MJ’s spectacular life on the big screen it’s him.