Producers of Samuel L. Jackson and late comic Bernie Mac's film Soul Men have brushed off claims the movie is based on legendary musician Sam Moore, after the furious soul singer threatened legal action.

Jackson and Mac play an estranged R&B duo in the movie - a plot Moore claims is too similar to his own career with late musician Dave Prater.

Moore, 72, admits he has yet to see the film, but claims he was informed by unnamed sources that producers used his music to set the mood for scenes in the film, reports the New York Daily News.

He tells the newspaper: "In the movie, they have a reunion concert. Dave and I had a reunion in 1982 after not talking with each other for years. Sam Jackson and Bernie Mac sing Hold On, I'm Coming. That's also our song."

The singer also claims production company bosses at Dimension Films "tried to buy me out" with a $1,000 offer for a walk-on role. Disappointed with the offer and the use of the N-word in the film, Moore says he is consulting lawyers about the project, adding: "A thousand dollars! Whoa. You know, slavery times have ended."

"Even when Dave and I were fighting and cursing, we never used that (the N) word. It's an insult to every one of us who fought in the civil rights movement. I don't understand how this can happen. It's not right."

But producer David Friendly has denied a direct link to Moore in the film, insisting the story is completely fictional. He says: "Everything in the movie is completely made up. The characters are back-up singers, unlike Sam and Dave, who were headliners. (Producer) Bob Weinstein's brother Harvey Weinstein suggested at a party that Sam might be in the movie. But Sam declined the offer. No money was ever discussed. Just because they sing one Sam and Dave song doesn't make it a movie about them. I think it's unfair of (Moore) to criticise a movie he hasn't seen."

The film premieres at New York's famed Apollo on 24 October (08). (JMA/NYDN/MT)

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