At a recent birthday celebration for iconic soul singer Aretha Franklin, it was revealed that her anticipated biopic is close to beginning production and that the lead actress who will play Franklin has finally been chosen.
The singer held her 74th birthday soiree on Thursday at New York City’s Ritz Carlton Hotel, where several of her celebrity friends, including Clive Davis, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Tamron Hall, and New York Congressman Charles Rangel attended. She spoke to The Huffington Post during the event and revealed that she’s in the final stages of getting a film about her life green-lighted.
“I’m in the last of the negotiations, because we have agreed on the key things and the most important things,” Franklin told the publication. “So it’s just something minimal to finish, and then we can move forward from there. It’s some of the people that were involved in Straight Outta Compton, and this is gonna be Straight Outta Detroit.”
Franklin has been public about devising a film on her upbringing, career, and abusive relationships since 2011. She initially wanted Halle Berry to portray her, but the actress said in response, “Someone should tell Aretha that I can’t do her justice.”
In 2014, Franklin said that her newest suggestions for the lead role would be either Audra McDonald or Jennifer Hudson. She said that she has now been in talks with the actress who has been given the role.
“It’s been a long, long haul, but I think we’re right at it now,” Franklin said. “I spoke to the young lady about a week ago — I won’t say which one of the two it was — but I spoke to her, and she’s ready. We’re gonna go forward with it.”
According to Essence, it is rumored that Denzel Washington will portray Franklin’s father.
Will you be watching the upcoming Aretha Franklin biopic?
