Casting ‘70s music stars

Fantasia as Chaka Khan
Both of these ladies know how to rip into a song like starved pitbulls, yet keep that sexy robotic edge. And they share a purple connection: One of Chaka’s biggest hits was her 1984 cover of Prince’s “I Feel for You” and Fantasia’s currently on Broadway as Celia in “A Color Purple.” And we don’t even have to mention the pure Chaka-ness of that disco-robot jumpsuit on Ms. Idol, right?  (Getty Images / LAT)

Kerry Washington as Donna Summer
This fast-rising star from “Ray” and “The Last King of Scotland” needs a stylish yet nuanced role to catapult her to the next level. Donna Summer’s musical career is rife with the kind of contradictions actors love -- the Queen of Disco had to be talked into all those titillating moans on her break-out song “Love to Love You Baby,” and then kicked her sex-kitten image to the curb with the working girl’s anthem, “She Works Hard for Her Money.”  (Getty Images / LAT)

Jared Leto as Elton John
Jared Leto wants to be a rock star so bad. And while he already plays one in his moody band 30 Seconds to Mars, they’ve never created a hit like “Bennie and the Jets” or “Goodbye Yellowbrick Road.” True, playing Elton John will not give Leto much of a chance to shred on the guitar, but considering John’s financial hardships, emotional breakdowns and loads of glittery costumes, there’s plenty to keep Leto busy.  (AP / LAT)