Jennifer Hudson to Take on 'Queen of Soul' Aretha Franklin in Upcoming Biopic?

By: Aug. 19, 2015
Get Access To Every Broadway Story

Unlock access to every one of the hundreds of articles published daily on BroadwayWorld by logging in with one click.




Existing user? Just click login.

Jennifer Hudson will soon make her Broadway debut in the upcoming Broadway revival of THE COLOR PURPLE. And according to web site Trackingboard.com, the musical may not be the only major project on the Oscar winner's schedule.

The DREAMGIRLS star may reportedly take on the role of iconic soul singer Aretha Franklin in a new biopic from Universal Pictures, which will follow the musician's journey to fame. Currently untitled, Hudson will portray the legend's "transition from gospel singer to mainstream artist in the early sixties to mid-seventies." The film will also depict how her abusive husband and strict father shaped her music, her life and her career.

Franklin, also known as "The Queen of Soul", is best known for her mega hits "Respect" and "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman." She was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and placed first on Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Singers of All Time list.

Grammy Award-winning recording artist and best-selling author, Jennifer Hudson was recently honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In addition to DRAEMGIRLS, she has appeared in the films "Winnie Mandela," "The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete", "Black Nativity", The Secret Life of Bees, Sex and The City, Think Like A Man, and, most recently, the drama Lullaby. Hudson also appeared on Fox's breakout hit series Empire, and will likely return for Season Two.



Videos