Aretha Franklin Biopic Movie: Who Will Play Aretha?

Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin Biopic Heading to Big Screen

Aretha Franklin's life story is coming to the big screen -- and casting is underway.

The Queen of Soul is involved personally with casting and she's got some wishlist.

Who will play Franklin, whose career kicked off in the 1960s and has never faded?

Franklin is looking to cast TV and stage actress Audra McDonald to play the part.

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McDonald, who has won two Grammy awards and been nominated for four Tonys, first nabbed Franklin's attention when she starred in Porgy and Bess on Broadway. You may also recognize McDonald for her role as Naomi Bennett on TV's Private Practice.

Franklin's biopic is based on her 1999 memoir From These Roots, which followed her story as a child prodigy, daughter of a preacher, and now legendary singer.

Franklin is currently getting together her short list for casting the film, USA Today reports, with the singer hoping Nia Long, Kerry Washington and Blair Underwood will play her siblings.

The singer has approved a story treatment and ordered a script, and is currently in negotiations with producers and directors, so it's still in the early stages.

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In a press release from her rep, the movie is described as "an epic tale with probably the most starring and supporting roles since Roots."