Posted by | Ray Cornelius
CONGRATS to Grammy winning singer and Oscar winning actress Jennifer Hudson! She will be starring as the Queen of Soul—Aretha Franklin—in a forthcoming biopic.
According to DEADLINE, legendary music executive Clive Davis announced the big news during his highly anticipated Pre-Grammy Party last night in New York City. It came after Hudson performed two of Franklin’s biggest hit records “Think” and “Respect.” Hudson was reportedly hand-picked by Franklin to star as her in the film.
The project is currently being acquired and financed by MGM (WOW! that’s major) and will be produced by Straight Outta Compton‘s Scott Bernstein with music production from Harvey Mason Jr., who worked with Hudson on the 2006 smash hit “Dreamgirls.”
This announcement has been in the works for a number of years now. In 2012, we reported that J-Hud said that she would play the music legend “someday.” It was also reported that Ms. Franklin had a wish list of stars for the project including Nia Long as her older sister Erma, Kerry Washington as her younger sister Carolyn, Blair Underwood as her brother Cecil and Denzel Washington as her beloved father, Rev. Cecil Franklin and Terrence Howard as her neighbor and buddy, Smokey Robinson.
Acquiring this role will also allow Hudson “carte blanche” with Franklin’s catalogue of hits. This access would afford her opportunities to re-record these songs and use them in future concert and tours. I would liken that to what Diana Ross was able to do with Billie Holiday songs from “Lady Sings the Blues.” Man, I can’t wait for this one.
RC will keep you posted as this one continues to develop.
Photo Credit: VOGUE.com
