After scoring a television ratings home run with their Clark Sisters biopic (as we reported here), the set’s producers – Queen Latifah and Holly Carter – are reuniting to bring another faith-based film to the masses: the biopic of Queen of Gospel Mahalia Jackson.
Not to be confused with the Jackson life story coming to Lifetime (as we reported here), the Latifah and Carter-produced rendition (which also sees Academy Award-winning Jamie Foxx sign on as producer) is headed to the big screen.
To portray the Gospel icon? None other than 3x GRAMMY-winning soulstress Jill Scott.
“Grammy-winning singer and Black Lightning and Why Did I Get Married? actor Jill Scott will play the Queen of Gospel, Mahalia Jackson, in Mahalia!, a new big-screen take that’s being executive produced by Jamie Foxx, Queen Latifah and her partner Shakim Compere and Clark Sisters EP Holly Carter.
Written by Richard Hocutt, Mark Gould and Tricia Woodgett, Mahalia! is based on the novel Mahalia Jackson by Darlene Donloe.”
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Unlike the Lifetime version, the big screen take has secured the rights to use Jackson’s music.
Speaking on the announcement, Queen stated:
“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,” says Latifah.
As of time reported, there is no release date attached to the project.
![Performances: Halle Bailey, Ashanti, Gladys Knight, JoJo, Smokey Robinson, & More Rock NBC's 'A Motown Christmas' [Watch]](https://thatgrapejuice.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ashanti-gladys-knight-thatgrapejuice-motown-christmas-nbc-smokey-halle-bailey-jordin-sparks-jojo-464x260.jpg "Performances: Halle Bailey, Ashanti, Gladys Knight, JoJo, Smokey Robinson, & More Rock NBC's 'A Motown Christmas' [Watch].")
The party really don’t know Mahalia Jackson or how she died, but we know Jill Scott is gonna be under Alot of pressure with Jamie Foxx and Queen latifa watching her…. Cuz they both are top notch actors..
Jamie & Latifah top notch? 👀
She has the same emotional range in movies that she exhibited on her now-defunct talk show. He stopped coming across as the male version of In Living Color’s Wanda when he excelled supporting Tom Cruise in 2004’s “Collateral”.
+ Jill may not convey Mah’s pathos.
Looks nothing like her bad casting
Should have been Monique.