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Between the very public custody battles with ex-wife Tameka Raymond,  U.S performances, and new album “Looking For Myself” release, R&B sensation Usher keeps himself busy and it doesn’t stop there. Lately the singer has been training for the role of a lifetime.  HipHollywood earlier reported that Usher is scheduled to return to the big screen to play legendary boxing champion Sugar Ray Leonard, in “Hands of Stone,” an upcoming biopic about Panamanian boxer Roberto Duran.  Duran will be played by Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal.  Robert De Niro has also been cast as iconic trainer Ray Arcel.

Usher spoke with UK’s Independent, to discuss his preparations for the role, his acting aspirations, and his thoughts on performing alongside seasoned actors Bernal and De Niro.

In order to attain the physical status of Leonard, Usher admitted to a brutal, but enlightening training schedule, that put him in the right frame of mind and gave him the “the understanding of where Sugar Ray was in that time.”

About his being chosen to play the boxing icon, Usher had this to say:

“It was proper casting.  I was selected.  They approached me to do it.   And all I had to was consider it.”

With confidence like that, it was unsurprising that Usher showed no fear in the face of working alongside veterans De Niro and Bernal.  He responded:

I’m not intimidated in any way. Because there’s a shared passion and respect among all of us, and it’s the type of script that will allow all of us to shine.

 

Usher even revealed his goal of winning an Oscar for his role.  The seven-time Grammy award-winner referenced Jennifer Hudson and pointed out that for a first time actor to win the coveted award was not unheard of.  He added:

“I’ve seen Oscar winners come out of left field….I don’t know if this is the one that would win me an Oscar or not. I’m going into it offering my interpretation and my hard work and my dedication to be the best Sugar Ray ever. Or as good as the man can be. I’ve spoken to him, and I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to live up to him. But I’ll try to be better than him.”

Good luck with that one!  “Hands of Stone” has not yet begun filming, but already Usher has set the bar pretty high.   No question about it, the man is talented, and we’re excited to see how he follows through.  Do you think Usher can pull off an Oscar?

(Source: Hip Hollywood)