USHER

PRO: With a little makeup, the 28-year-old heartthrob could play the Godfather at every stage of his career.

CON: Urrrsher's stage and film ventures have created more flops than fanfare.

TERRENCE HOWARD

PRO: He's played everything from a pimp to an upper-class TV producer. Plus, we hear music is his first love.

CON: At over 6 ft., he would've towered over the real-life Brown.

JAMIE FOXX

PRO: One word: 'Ray.'

CON: Playing Mr. Dynamite so soon after his Oscar-winning performance in '04 might get him typecast.

VING RHAMES

PRO: After over 20 years in Hollywood, his resume speaks for itself.

CON: His bodybuilder frame would probably eliminate him from serious consideration.

ANDRE 3000

PRO: He revitalized hip-hop, so he has the depth to portray James.

CON: We're not ready to see Outkast break up, and it'll really be a wrap if this role gets Oscar buzz.

SNOOP DOGG

PRO: Snoop's star-power would pack theaters, and Bishop Don "Magic" Juan would make a great JB.

CON: We'd be too busy listening for the Doggfather's "fa-shizzel" to learn about the Godfather.

DON CHEADLE

PRO: He's a master of dialects and would kill a James Brown grunt.

CON: Still underrated, Don as the headliner might not equal high box-office sales.

DENZEL WASHINGTON

PRO: It's Denzel. Enough said.

CON: He's one of the world's greatest actors, but the jury's still out on his singing.

REV. AL SHARPTON

PRO: He's already got the hair.

CON: We accept him as a minister, community activist, and even a politician. But a trained actor he is not.

BOBBY BROWN

PRO: His raspy vocals, fancy footwork and real-life drama are very similar to the Godfather's.

CON: Karrine "Superhead" Steffans might hate on her man getting more shine than her.

MOS DEF

PRO: After his emotional turn in HBO's 'Something the Lord Made,' Mos gives new meaning to the phrase rapper-turned-actor.

CON: Samuel L. Jackson might get jealous.

BEYONCE

PRO: From the way she fell out on stage during the '06 BET Awards, B's obviously influenced by Mr. Brown.

CON: Duh ... she's a woman. (But don't think she's not already auditioning.)

LUDACRIS

PRO: Chris Bridges is a already the hardest working man in hip-hop.

CON: He was great in 'Crash,' but he needs to get a few more roles under his belt.

LAURENCE FISHBURNE

PRO: His Ike Turner in 'What's Love Got To Do With It?' got him an Oscar nod.

CON: He might scream out "Eat the cake, Anna Mae!" in this one, too.

LL COOL J

PRO: His six-pack is world famous and would look perfect underneath a cape.

CON: Unfortunately, the G.O.A.T. looks nothing like the Godfather.

TAYE DIGGS

PRO: Taye's short stature literally makes him on par with Mr. Dynamite.

CON: He's almost too pretty to be convincing for the grittier sides of Brown's life.

MEKHI PHIFER

PRO: '8 Mile' proved he could keep it gritty and real.

CON: Anyone ever seen Mekhi do a split?

NELLY

PRO: Nelly might actually look cute with a press-and-curl hairdo.

CON: His accent would turn James' 'Rocky III' anthem into 'Living in Amerrrica.'

MICHAEL JACKSON

PRO: He's got the soul, the moves and is actually old enough to remember Brown in his prime.

CON: It would take too much makeup to cover his beige-meets-ecru complexion.

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