Aretha Franklin: Halle Berry Should Play Me in Biopic

By PopEater Staff Posted Sep 10th 2010 09:15PM

The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, has some pretty strong opinions when it comes to who should portray her in an upcoming biopic film. In Franklin's mind, only Halle Berry has what it takes to portray the younger version of the singing legend, according to the Associated Press.

Earlier this week, Franklin sent out a press release detailing her specific choices for the prominent roles in the film. In addition to Berry, she wants Denzel Washington to play her father C.L. Franklin, a civil rights leader and Baptist minister. And she would love Academy Award nominee Terrence Howard to portray Motown star Smokey Robinson.

In her press release, Franklin, 68, says the actors she names are "enthusiastic about the project and have agreed to take on these roles, subject to further negotiation."

The planned biopic will be based on Franklin's autobiography, 'Aretha: From These Roots,' which hit the bestseller list 10 years ago when it was published. The iconic singer says she'll begin reviewing scripts next week.

Franklin's biggest hits include '(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,' 'Chain of Fools,' 'Freeway of Love' and her signature song, 'Respect.'

Tags: ArethaFranklin, halle berry

Comments

(98)

Friday 10 September

By freida

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What ?

By John

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Are you referring to Aretha or Halle? Yes Halle has an Oscar and Emmy has starred in all three X-Men films, a couple of successful miniseries and tv movies. Aretha has won a boat load of Grammy's and is a music icon. Neither of them of one hit wonders as far as facts go.

Saturday 11 September

By Mrs. E

"one hit wonder"???? what are you 12? Miss Franklin has been writing and singing hits for decades...check your facts..you sound uneducated..

By themeeker

Put down the crack pipe george. Neither one of these ladies is a one hit wonder. What planet are you on?

By delacourte

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Clearly you have no idea who Aretha is if you call her a "one-hit wonder!" What are you,12? Also,don't insult George Clooney by using his name as your screen name,as Mr. Clooney could never be as ignorant and ill-informed as you are.

That being said,Halle is not a good choice for Aretha,because even when she was younger and thinner,she never looked like Halle!

Clearly you have no idea who Aretha is or you wouldn't be calling her a "one-hit wonder." What are you,12? And please don't insult George Clooney by using his name as your screen name,as Mr. Clooney could never be as ignorant and ill-informed as you are!

That being said,no,Halle is not a good choice to play Aretha because even when Atetha was younger and thinner she never looked like Halle!

By Mona

Halle Berry...no.....maybe Monique would be a better choice. There is nothing wrong with dreaming though...wish I looked like Halle too.

By cdm

Wake up Aretha! Halle as a young retha' is as preposterous as Aretha fitting into a size 2. I think a good young Aretha would be Kerry Washington. She was fantastic in the Ray Charles Biopic. Halle does sex; Washington acts.

By Jackie

I can't stop laughing. I love Halle, but I would not like to see
her in this role. She was great as Dorothy Dandrige and I could see her playing Lena Horne, BUT ARETHA FRANKLIN!!!??? No way!

By StarsUponThars

Queen Latifah should get the role: she's bodacious, beautiful and the woman can sing.

I think you nailed it. Inspired bit of casting there.

By sassycassie

That is the one...You hit the nail on the head! She would be perfect. I can just see her, strutting her stuff. Hope Aretha wakes up and realizes she is no skini mini, now or then.

By alo1020

Yes, yes, Queen Latifah (Miss Dana Owens) would be absolutely wonderful acting the part of The Queen of Soul. I guess Aretha doesn't see it that way!!!

By Marco

Halle Berry playing Aretha Franklin? Child please! She is waaay too full of herself if she thinks that's the case. Saying that is like me saying Cristiano Ronaldo should play me and Megan Fox should play my wife (note: I'm not even married!)...this chick is crazy! First, she gets mad because Beyonce referred to Tina Turner as The Queen instead of her and now she wants Halle Berry to play her? This lady needs a reality check ASAP!

ITA. She has always been "full of herself", but this takes the cake. I personally don't think that a movie about Aretha would
merit the big name stars that she wants to do it. I am surprised that she doesn't want to play herself (younger and older)

haha! That is such a good point! I could see her wanting to play herself throughout the entire movie. She's a mess!

By fritz

how about letting former american Idol Frenchy Davis do that part cause of two reasons

1. she doesn't have to grain any weight
2. she can really sing great

By FurFree

Best laugh I've had all day!!!

By LunnaTick

Jennifer Hudson can play her... she is pretty and can sing!!! She will be believeable!!!

By Apostate

Halle can't channel Aretha without the pipes to back it up.

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