Audra McDonald to Play Aretha Franklin in Upcoming Biopic?

Audra McDonald as the 'Queen of Soul'? If a report in this morning's New York Daily News is correct, the five-time Tony Award winner may soon take on the role of legendary singer Aretha Franklin in Taylor Hackford's upcoming biopic.

Franklin herself tells Confidenti@l, "We are thinking of Audra McDonald, who just won a Tony on Broadway. The question, where Audra is concerned, is whether or not she can get over into soul, not Broadway." The singer also revealed that Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson is also being considered for the part.

McDonald won a 2012 Tony Award for The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. She earned three Tony Awards by the age of 28 for her performances in Carousel, Master Class, and Ragtime. She was nominated for another Tony Award for her performance in Marie Christine before she won her fourth in 2004 for her role in A Raisin in the Sun. She reprised her Raisin role for a 2008 television adaptation, earning her a second Emmy Award nomination. She also starred in the ABC series "Private Practice" as Dr. Naomi Bennett.

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