Jennifer Hudson to Play Aretha Franklin in Upcoming Biopic

The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin will have her life and legendary career portrayed by Jennifer Hudson in an upcoming biopic.

Music executive Clive Davis shared the exclusive news at his annual pre-Grammy gala on Saturday (Jan. 27) before Hudson took the stage to cover Franklin’s chart-toppers “Think,” “Rock Steady” and “Respect.”

“When the biopic of the great Aretha Franklin is filmed next year, the artist anointed by Aretha herself to play her is the next performer. Aretha personally told me that last week,” Davis said.

“This artist to us is a transcendent performer. She stops any and every show she’s in. Her voice is truly incredible. When they ask, ‘Where’s the next Aretha, where the next Aretha will come from?’ I say it’s [Hudson]. She’s in the studio right now recording what I hope will be a classic album… she’s in the tradition of Adele, she’s a singer’s singer.”

Hudson went to Instagram to express her excitement about the role. “I don’t even know what to say… look at God! #Arethafranklin u have no idea how humbled, I am,” Hudson shared with her 2 million followers.

Deadline reports MGM is expected to finance Franklin’s biopic. Straight Outta Compton producer Scott Bernstein will produce the film along with music producer Harvey Mason, Jr. — who worked with Hudson in her Oscar-winning film Dreamgirls. The biopic is still in its infancy as MGM has yet to enlist a director or screenwriter for the project.