What’s better than one biopic? Two. And who better to play the Queen of the Gospel than the Queen of the Neo-soul, herself, Jill Scott?
Days after Lifetime, Danielle Brooks announced as Mahalia Jackson in a network biopic, breaking news that Scott will also bring Jackson’s story to the big screen in Mahalia!, a new biopic executive produced by Jamie Foxx, Queen Latifah and her partner Shakim Compere, together with Clark Sisters executive producer Holly Carter.
In a release announcing the news, Latifah said, “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 added, ‘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 Godsend and absolute perfection will be in the lead role. ”
Jackson, known as the inspiration behind the “I Have a Dream” speech, was one of the most instrumental voices and ardent supporters of Martin Luther King Jr., the father of the American Civil Rights Movement, and a driving force behind the presidency of John F. Kennedy campaign. Jackson also performed five times at the famous Carnegie Hall in New York, in the early 1950s, and in 1961 won the first Gospel Grammy Award. If that wasn’t enough, Jackson was a mentor to Aretha Franklin, among others, and discovered a 13-year-old Della Reese.
With Jackson’s story brought to the mainstream, people will eventually gain a deeper understanding of Jackson’s iconic status and its role in the civil rights movement.
