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)

Saturday 11 September

By lindee

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Fantasia should play the young Aretha. She's a drama diva too.

By rose

OK I've got it ! The one who is perfectly proportioned to Aretha Franklin Is.....Gaborney Sidibe. yeah ! by the way people don't be thinking Aretha is a mere 200 pounds, No way ! She is like a volkswagon.... truthfully i'd be willing to bet she is closer to 350 easy ! Hey! It's her heart one of these days we'll be reading aBOUT how she was rushed to some hospital. then she will tell is she's going on a diet but she cant do it and then ..ploppo, down, wiped out, gone zo !

By Nyah

The young Aretha was skinny, stupid people. I still think that Jill Scott or Mary J. Blige would be a better choice.

By jake

what a ego! someone who looks more like aretha should play her. not a beauty like halle. bad idea. it remoinds me of will smith playing the main character in the wild wild west. bad casting then!

By Garjaya

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I see it Berry in the younger years, and Jabba the Hutt in the later years, could happen.

By sara parker

ms. franklin deserves no respect . she has a developmentally disabled child , whom she has no contact with, as if he is someone to be ashamed of. in my opinion, ms. franklin it is you who should be ashamed. this is your child and yet your family and lawyer make sure that there are no ties , so you can make your life into whatever you want it to be. why arent you even the guardian. respect? you will get none from me. but than im sure you dont care about that either. dont go away mad, just go away.

By Nelson

Young or old not even close in the looks department !Aretha wishes ! Paleeezzze !!!

By webstar222

Fantasia

By Ron3853

I love Aretha...but she never met a piece of fried chicken that she didn't like.

By Paul

Aretha Franklin is ans was fat,Oprah Winfrey could probably do it better just feed her cheeseburgers for a couple weeks.

By lyricalone17

Halle Berry? Yeah right doesn't she mean Hairy Beary? Better, more realistic alternative is Jill Scott.

By yorktown1979

Aretha bought a house here in Michigan. She insisted that the office used for closing on the deal be air conditioned. So they went to the expense of putting in central air. When Aretha arrived, she wouldn't get out of her car and never did enter the office. She thinks that she's a lot more important than she really is! You would never know her father was a Baptist minister by her actions!

By joan

Halle Berry could play the role but I think is much shorter then Aretha and they would have to get one huge fat suit for her to wear. Aretha Franklin is one wonderful singer, but she has allowed herself to gain so much weight that I am afraid she will eventually kill herself. Maybe Halle could give Aretha some tips on proper eating habits!!!

By poppyseed

Aretha is a great singer. Before Jennifer Hudson lost all that weight I would have picked her. Great voice just like Arethas. I still think of Jennifer singing at Michael Jacksons funeral. Also the fuss made about Arethas hat at the inaugeration.

By Steve

OKAY ABDUL.....Time to start making TENTS....Oh, and Goodyear, we're going to need an ARETHA shaped blimp.....yeah, that's it, slide Halle into it, cover it with a tent.....WALLA!!! You got ARETHA!!!! ROFLMAO!!! Does Aretha have a mirror in her home?

By Stewart Allen

Oh no you dont Aretha, maybe the Sibide girl from Precious, but not Halle, cmon, real life!!! 400 pds of it!

By mr. bob

who on this earth would not want Halle to immortalize them on film? Im an old white dude and I would be flattered for her to play me in a film.....Sh#t, she's forever hot,,,,,why not? Dream on aretha , You are a great voice, but that is where the similarity ends.

By kmr1

In Arethas defense she was a itty bitty thing in her younger days,.....but Rasputia will definitly have to play her when those pounds got paked on . Sorry Aretha!

By smiles

Halle is too skinny, Aretha you're dreaming! You are a soul sister no doubt but you were never skinny honey!!!

By alo1020

Yes, yes Queen Latifah (Miss Dana Owens) would be Wonderful for acting the part of The Queen of Soul. Hope Aretha will choose Queen Latifah. Halle Is Not a Good Choice.

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