THE MOVIE
11:52 AM PDT 8/12/2020
due to
Chris Gardner
News of the film comes days after the unveiling of a competing project on Lifetime.
Jill Scott is ready to play the Queen.
The Grammy-winning singer and sometimes actress has signed up on topline Mahalia! playing the queen of the gospel Mahalia Jackson in a new biopic that includes collaborators in Jamie Foxx and Queen Latifah, two stars who have navigated the movements from music and movies to critically acclaimed biopics with successful results.
Penned by Richard Hocutt, Mark Gould and Tricia Woodgett, Mahalia! is based on the novel Mahalia Jackson by Darlene Donloe. As part of the deal, the production team secured the rights to Jackson’s entire catalog, including “How I Got Over,” “His Eyes Are on the Sparrow,” “Move Up Up a Little Higher,” “Amazing Grace” and “Go tell it on the mountain.” The executive production team includes Foxx, Queen Latifah and her longtime partner, Shakim Compere and The Clark Sisters’ Holly Carter, along with Woodgett and Hocutt, are the last to be credited for bringing the project to Carter.
In a release announcing the news, Queen Latifah says, “This is such an incredibly important story to tell and we are excited to work with Jamie on the project. Shakim and I are also looking forward to reconnecting with us Clark Sisters producing partner, Holly Carter, to share Mahalia’s inspiring journey to become the Queen of Gospel Music. “
Carter adds: ‘I’m very grateful to be working with Latifah and Shakim again and also excited that Jamie has joined the team. As well as The Clark Sisters, Mahalia! is another epic story of faith that is driven by powerful and uplifting music. I believe Mrs. Scott was a steward of God and absolute perfection will be in the lead role. “
Scott comes to the film after starring in such projects as Tyler Perry’s Why am I married?, Tate Taylor’s Come on, BET’s The First Wives Club and HBOs It no. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. Se sil topline Mahalia! in the story of how Jackson became one of the most successful entertainers in the world. Per the producers, she was known as the mentor of Aretha Franklin and is credited with inspiring Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
News of the project comes just days after word of a Jackson biopic in the works on Lifetime with Robin Roberts named Robin Roberts Presents: The Mahalia Jackson Story. That project will star Danielle Brooks as Jackson, with Tony winner Kenny Leon on board to direct.
Latifah is rapped by UTA and Shakim Compere. Foxx is owned by CAA, LBI Entertainment and Ziffren Brittenham. Carter is reprimanded by CAA and Darnell Miller Fox Rothschild. Scott is rapped by ICM, Shawn Gee and Stephen Barnes.
