Isaac Hayes adds "Soul" to music comedy

By Gregg Goldstein

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - Soul music icon Isaac Hayes will play himself in a music comedy starring Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mac.

"Soul Men" revolves around two former bandmates (Jackson, Mac) who reunite when a third member (played by Grammy-winning musician John Legend) dies. When they're forced to take a cross-country road trip, they fight with each other all the way.

Jennifer Coolidge and Sean Hayes are also joining the project, which Malcolm Lee ("Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins") will direct for Dimension Films. Coolidge plays Mac's love interest, and Hayes the band's obnoxious manager.

The project marks a return to the screen for Hayes, who quit as the voice of lunch-room Lothario Chef on "South Park" in 2006 because he sad he did not like the cartoon show's irreverent attitude towards religion.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter