Queen Latifah & Jamie Foxx Executive Producing ‘Mahalia! Movie, Jill Scott to Star
'Mahalia!': @MissJillScott to star in biopic from @IAMQUEENLATIFAH and @IAmJamieFoxx https://t.co/L10qik4Wgr pic.twitter.com/OkCoNYfEah
- Shadow and Act (@shadowandact) August 12, 2020
Deadline reports that Queen Latifah and Jaime Foxx are producing a big screen adaptation about the legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson.
“Mahalia!” will star Jill Scott as Jackson. Latifah's partner, Shakim Compere and Holly Carter will also be executive producers. Carter and Latifah also produced Lifetime’s “The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel.”
Richard Hocutt, Mark Gould and Tricia Woodgett will write the script. The script is based on the novel Mahalia Jackson by Darlene Donloe.
Lifetime recently announced that Danielle Brooks will star as Jackson in an upcoming TV film.
Deadline reports that unlike the Lifetime production, “Mahalia!” has the rights to Jackson's entire music catalog. Some of the songs included are: “How I Got Over,” “His Eyes Are on the Sparrow,” “Move on Up a Little Higher,” “Amazing Grace” and “Go Tell It On the Mountain.”
Part of statement from Queen Latifah:
“This is such an incredibly important story to tell and we’re thrilled to work with Jamie on the project. Shakim and I are also looking forward to reteaming with our Clark Sisters producing partner, Holly Carter, to share Mahalia’s inspiring journey to becoming the Queen of Gospel music.”
SUCH AN HONOR!!! Mahalia Jackson’s story will be told. Support her story and EVERYBODY telling it. The powerful spirit energy of Mahalia Jackson has earned all of this ❤️ and respect. https://t.co/RtMozkv0Z1
- ⭐Jill Scott⭐ (@missjillscott) August 12, 2020
Edit: Jill appears to be supportive of Danielle’s version as well.
She is! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 2 different films.
- ⭐Jill Scott⭐ (@missjillscott) August 13, 2020
Sources: 1, 2, 3