This is just a list of possibilities, some bad some good, just some name actors who have experience in musicals and might work. Just to see what y'all think. Ben Vareen is not on the list because he has already said he does not really wish to return to the character.

A screen draft was written in the early 2000's. From what I've heard, in large part, it retains the Fosse choreography and material as much as possible, which could have something to do with the fact that the Weinsteins bought the rights because they saw the original production when they were kids and it was one of their inspirations for entering the entertainment world.

The framing structure is allegedly that a young man facing the same life decisions as the character of Pippin comes in to see the show, and the Leading Player pulls him out of the audience to "be" Pippin. From there, they enter the world of the show, with lots of fantastical settings representing a heightened theatrical world (this script being older, a lot of cameos were planned, including Bea Arthur for Berthe; that one I remember specifically). By the end of the film, the original Fosse ending ("Trapped...which isn't too bad" etc.) is still there. Pippin and Catherine are sitting on the steps outside the theater for that exchange and then go off hand in hand into the sunset. Then there's a wipe back to the Theo ending taking place inside the theater, as the players return one by one. It's a nice compromise between the two historical endings if you ask me. If I remember more, I'll post it here.

In any case, to get back to the point of the thread, this screen draft specified that at least the screenwriter had a female Leading Player in mind.

Jesse L. Martin. no one on your list is remotely right for it.

Isn't Jesse L. Martin's voice a tad low for the part? I could see someone like, say, Darius de Haas, who is a similar type but sits more in the Ben Vereen range.

Dear "Pippin" Fans,

I can't vote for ANY of the poll's options, because MY vote will ALWAYS go to Will Smith, or to any other African American guy who can follow in Ben Vereen's footsteps!

Thank you in advance for your replies.

NOT will smith..he can't be placed in the same catagory as Ben Vereen.

Usher. He looks like Ben, he sounds like Ben, he can do Fosse (see Chicago).

(Which always made me feel the rumor about his parentage was true...)

Well, he's got a high A, at least.

yes.. jesse can easily sing the role.