Jennifer Hudson Cast as Aretha Franklin in Upcoming Biopic
Movie

Clive Davis announced at the 2018 pre-Grammy party that Franklin hand picked the 'American Idol' alum for the role in the biopic.

AceShowbiz - Singer/actress Jennifer Hudson is going to turn into a music legend on the big screen. The "American Idol" alum has been tapped to play Aretha Franklin in an upcoming biopic which currently still has no title.

The casting of Hudson was announced by Clive Davis at the 2018 pre-Grammy party on Saturday night, January 27. Davis, who has such a long professional relationship with Franklin, said that Franklin hand picked Hudson for the role.

According to Deadline which first reported the news, Scott Bernstein ("Straight Outta Compton") and music producer Harvey Mason Jr., who has worked with Franklin and also produced music for the film "Dreamgirls", will be producing the untitled Aretha Franklin biopic. MGM is acquiring and will finance the project. Other details are still unknown as there's no director and scriptwriter on board the film just yet.

Hudson sang a medley of Franklin's hits, including "Think", "Rock Steady", and "(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman", as the closing performance at the pre-Grammy gala. Other performers at the event were Barry Manilow, Luis Fonsi, Ben Platt, Alicia Keys, Khalid and Logic.

Rising to fame after finishing on the seventh place on "American Idol" season 3, Hudson made her film debut portraying Effie White in "Dreamgirls". The role earned her an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a BAFTA Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Supporting Actress. She starred as the titular character in "Winnie Mandela" and also appeared in "Sex and the City", "Smash" and NBC's "Hairspray Live!". She served as a coach in season 13 of NBC's "The Voice".

Franklin's career spans over six decades. Debuting as a gospel singer, she released her first album "Songs of Faith" in 1956. She achieved commercial acclaim and success with songs such as "Respect", "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman", "Spanish Harlem" and "Think".

Dubbed "The Queen of Soul", she has recorded a total of 112 charted singles on Billboard. The 75-year-old diva has won a total of 18 Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

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