USHER - USHER LOOKS SET FOR DREAMGIRLS

LATEST: 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.