Jennifer Hudson Eyed for Title Role in Aretha Franklin Biopic
News has emerged Jennifer Hudson may be in talks to play Aretha Franklin in the legendary singer's biopic.
An upcoming Aretha Franklin biopic, to be produced by "Straight Out of Compton's" Scott Bernstein, may cast Oscar winner and American Idol finalist, Jennifer Hudson in the title role.
The Aretha Franklin movie project has been in development in the last few years, with the iconic diva herself pitching another award-winning actress, Halle Berry, to play her, and with Denzel Washington in the role of her father.
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While Washington is still under consideration to play itinerant preacher, Clarence LaVaughn "C.L." Franklin, new information has come to light pointing towards Jennifer Hudson as a front-runner to play Franklin herself.
There have been no details on a movie deal over the project that's currently being developed by Bernstein, but The Wrap has verified discussions with Hudson's people over the possible role have indeed began.
If Hudson winds up with the part, audiences will see her playing Aretha Franklin during the period between the 1960s and 1970s, just when the young gospel, jazz and soul singer began getting massive attention for her music.
The film is also reportedly focusing on Franklin's relationship with her first husband, Ted White, from whom she suffered domestic abuse until they were divorced in 1969 after eight years of marriage.
Hudson, who rose to public acclaim after winning seventh place in the third season of "American Idol," began her acting career in 2006 when she co-starred with Jamie Foxx, Beyonce Knowles, and Eddie Murphy in "Dreamgirls," a role for which she won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
Hudson has starred in other films, including 2008's "The Secret Life of Bees," for which she was nominated for the BET Best Actress award, and as Winnie Mandela in the 2011 biopic of the same name. She is currently filming Spike Lee's satire feature, "Chiraq" with John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson.
