Jennifer Hudson in talks to topline Aretha Franklin bioAugust 18, 2015 - 18:38 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Jennifer Hudson is in negotiations to star in the long-in-development untitled Aretha Franklin biopic. Hudson is eyed to play the R&B diva, a lead role which was previously offered to Halle Berry, AceShowbiz reports. Although there is no deal in place just yet, Hudson's representative hinted that there had been conversations about the role. "Straight Outta Compton" producer Scott Bernstein is developing the movie under his SMB Films banner. The film will center on Franklin's rise to fame in the '60s and '70s. It will also explore the Queen of Soul's interpersonal relationships, most notably how her abusive husband and autocratic father helped inspire and shape her epochal music during that time. There is no official release date just yet, but the movie is expected to arrive in the U.S. in 2107. Hudson first appeared in Hollywood entertainment industry as a contestant of "American Idol", but her career as an actress started in 2006 when she starred in "Dreamgirls" alongside Eddie Murphy and Beyonce Knowles. The 33-year-old singer-turned-actress most recently appeared on FOX's series "Empire". She also co-starred Garrett Hedlund in 2014's "Lullaby" and will next be seen in drama thriller "Chiraq" alongside Samuel L. Jackson. Top stories The creative crew of the Public TV had chosen 13-year-old Malena as a participant of this year's contest. She called on others to also suspend their accounts over the companies’ failure to tackle hate speech. Penderecki was known for his film scores, including for William Friedkin’s “The Exorcist”, Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”. The festival made the news public on March 19, saying that “several options are considered in order to preserve its running” Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |