The Commitments (film) Strong secured the role of Deco Cuffe, the lead singer of The Commitments. Robert Arkins was initially considered for the role of Deco before he was ultimately cast as Jimmy Rabbitte. Although his character does not have a singing part in the film, Arkins performs the song "Treat Her Right" during the opening credits. For the role of Joey "the Lips" Fagan, the eldest member of the band, Parker and La Frenais wanted veteran musician Van Morrison. Although his meeting with Parker did not go well, Morrison offered his songs for use in the film. Rory Gallagher was also considered
The Jazz Singer (1980 film) father, but he refuses to speak to Jess, until Jess tells him that he now has a grandson, at which point they finally reconcile. The film ends with Jess performing "America", with his father and Molly in attendance. In 1976 producer Jerry Leider saw Diamond perform at the Greek Theatre and asked him to star in a film. They decided on a remake of "The Jazz Singer". Leider spent ten months securing the rights from Warner Bros and United Artists, and hired Jerome Kass to write a treatment for MGM who were going to finance. Stephen Foreman was hired to