Aretha Franklin planning own biopic featuring 'Idol' star

By Keyonna Summers

Entertainment Editor

Aug. 1, 2007, 8:30 p.m. - Motown singer Aretha Franklin today announced plans to cast a bevy of stars in an upcoming film about her life, with American Idol sensation Jennifer Hudson starring as the "Queen of Soul."

Franklin told the “Steve Harvey Morning Show” that she has lined up a studio, and tapped several prominent actors to star in a biopic based on her autobiography “Aretha: From These Roots.”

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Others tentatively lined up for the cast are Cicely Tyson, who would play Franklin’s grandmother, and Billy Dee Williams, to play her father, Franklin told Harvey.

The 67-year-old Detroiter also said she has a verbal commitment from Terrence Howard to fill the role of fellow Motown great Smokey Robinson.

Franklin, currently on tour, will appear next week in Philadelphia.

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