Casting the Queen of Soul

Part of me wants to see Jennifer Hudson take this role (I think she's fabulous)...but the other part of me laments that it'll be one more impediment for audiences who want to hear her debut album, which I desperately want to hear.

I love Fantasia (as a fellow North Carolinian, I cheered her from the beginning of that season of AI) but I'm not sure I'd endorse her for a pure acting role, unless she's improved dramatically since she starred in her Lifetime biopic.

Too bad Lauryn Hill's gone batsh*t crazy.

I so agree with having Queen Latifah play Aretha, she has a great singing voice and she can act which is a plus. 

I also think Jennifer Hudson would be a great choice too, she does have a good singing range and its similar to Aretha (but nobody could be greater then Aretha)

Marrion: Now, tell me what do you see?
Kel: Two lovers in a passionate embrace
Kath:...Two dead sticks

If Aretha wants different people to portray her in different stages of her life, all three above could still play her. I think having someone portray her in her different stages of her career is a good choice because Aretha wasn't always the size she is now. Give or take a few pounds in her earlier years, Halle could play her in the beginning. BUT would Halle be convincing playing a 14yr old? It may be a challenge. Personally I think an unknown should be chosen with big hollywood names in supporting roles.

Everyone is saying well get Jennifer Hudson. She has fans and all, but not that much. I mean how much of her fanbase contributed to movie ticket sales? Dreamgirls to be as hyped as it was, wasn't the blockbuster it was hyped up to be. They made their money back with the release of the DVD. Also lets face it....Jennifer won that oscar for her singing and not her acting. I also don't think her name will draw people to the box office either. But alas we shall see just how good her "acting" is when winged creatures and now sex in the city comes out.

Fantasia on the other hand has proven that she can be a box office draw. Her lifetime movie LINAF garnered 19 million viewers over the weekend it premiered. That was more than Dreamgirls opening weekend might I add. Also for someone who filmed a tv movie in two weeks and with no acting coach to work with her in dept and taking cues from debbie allen while directing the movie, I say she did a fairly decent job as a first time actress. Let not forget her starring role in broadway's the color purple to which sinc Fantasia first made the announcment that she was joining the show, she sold $10 million in advanced ticket sales and the weekly sales up until now has been consistently between 700k-1 million. Broadway is extremely difficult than doing a movie. You can't yell out CUT and let me do it again, you have to just keep it moving. The show must go on, on broadway whether you mess up or not. Lastly Aretha has always endorsed Fantasia since American Idol. Aretha even referred to Fantasia as her child. Fantasia also played a young Aretha on the short lived NBC tv show American Dreams. Lets not forget that tribute that was given in Aretha's honor and Fantasia sang her heart out on baby I love you sounding like an exact replica of Aretha. Their musical style is very similar and if Tasia was chosen as the lead, I'll be happy for her and if not, then my second choice would be Queen Latifah. Whomever plays the part will be lipsynching to Aretha's music anyways and at the same time have to look convincing and we already know how great Fantasia connects to whatever she sings.

Here is a side by side comparison of baby I love you with Aretha and Fantasia.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf45k2rZd2A you can also search youtube for Tasia's tribute performance of this song as well. The similarities are uncanny if I must say.

In the first place, she's too old to play Aretha Franklin.  The movie will probably consentrate on Aretha's heyday as a superstar, with brief parts covering her teen years.  If you go back and look at pictures of Aretha when she was 18, she was very attractive, slim and very lady-like. Latifah's too "butch" to play The Queen.  On stage was something different, Aretha turned into a stone, shouting gospel-influence diva.

 I've always contended that there's an unknown out there that could play Aretha.  Jennifer Hudson would have to lose some weight, Fantasia Barrino just doesn't look the part, though she certainly could sing it.  Halle Berry has the acting chops and could sync Franklin's voice, but not "Dana Owens."

Aretha has announced so many projects that never reached fruition, I won't hold my breath for this one.

There is so much talent in our world and I definitely think that this role calls for a new face! AND I FOUND HER!! Go to Myspace.com/GloriaRE

TELL ME THAT THIS ISNT THE NEW ARETHA!!!!!!!!!!!

I m her biggest fan and she is an amazing power alto and I have seen her in over 2 dozen plays, she is an amazing actress, singer and pianist! you have no idea! ! She is a 22 year old preachers daughter in pennsylvania! OMG! GET YOUR  INFO TOGETHER AND GET HER TO THE BIG SCREEN!

"apollo's blog: But there's always the possibility Hudson might lose out (again) to Fantasia. " .

Jennifer lost out to Fantasia on American Idol, but then, Fantasia lost out to Jennifer  in 'Dreamgirls'!  Fantaisa' people were pushing for her also.  So you could have left the "again" part out of it, especially since she want a few different people to play her.  I really didn't care for Fantasia's 'Summertime' - but I Loved her version of 'You Were Always On My Mind' - brilliant!  (I guess that's different strokes for different folks) :)

Aretha loves her some Fantasia (just like Patti LaBelle loves her some Jennifer)...and that may be the reason Fantasia get the part.

Jennifer, Fantasia, Halle  and Queen Latifa - they are so very different.  There is no rhyme or reason for Aretha selections, especially for Halle.  I personally believe that Aretha would really like to play herself and wished she looked like Halle.  :)