For Aretha Franklin, the lead actress in her upcoming biopic doesn’t so much need to have a voice but soul. Speaking to the Associated Press, Franklin discussed the possibility of Broadway and silver-screen actress Audra McDonald or Jennifer Hudson playing her, as well as Zoe Saldana’s controversial casting as Nina Simone.
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AP: What do you think about Audra McDonald starring in the film?
Franklin: The question where Audra is concerned is whether or not Audra can get into soul. That would be the question because she has the voice, she has a beautiful instrument. I just wonder how far she can get over into soul.
AP: What about Jennifer Hudson? She has a lot of soul.
Franklin: Jennifer would come up with some good things.
On Zoe Saldana playing Nina Simone in upcoming biopic:
AP: Some people are upset because Zoe Saldana is playing Nina Simone in that biopic and they don’t believe she resembles Simone.
Franklin: I did know Nina and I would have liked to see someone with a little more of a likeness and hopefully played the piano. But I don’t know Ms. Saldana’s work and Hollywood can do a lot of things in terms of changing your features and all of that.
Read more at the Associated Press.
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