Nearly 50 years after her death, Gospel legend Mahalia Jackson is set to be the subject of multiple biographical films depicting her groundbreaking rise to fame and civil rights activism.

In 2020, it was announced ‘Orange is the New Black’ star Danielle Brooks had been tapped to portray Jackson in the made-for-TV movie, ‘The Mahalia Jackson Story,’ while GRAMMY winner Jill Scott will assume the iconic character for the first ever big screen adaptation of her life story (produced by Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx and Academy Award nominee Queen Latifah).

Now, it’s been revealed 13-time GRAMMY nominee Ledisi is next up to show off her acting chops as the Gospel pioneer.

More inside:

According to Deadline, Ledisi (born Ledisi Young) – who previously portrayed Jackson in the Academy Award-nominated 2014 film ‘Selma’ – is reprising the role for ‘Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story.’

Based on Mahalia’s life between 1956 and 1963, the Denise Dowse-directed and Ericka Nicole Malone-written ‘Remember Me’ earns it title after one of the Gospel icons most beloved hits (seen below).

Shortly after the forthcoming movie’s announcement, Young took to press to say:

“I am honored to be given a chance to paint the world through Mahalia’s eyes and sing her songs,” she shared in a statement. “I am sharing space with so many amazing actors and with Ericka Nicole Malone’s words and being under the direction of the Great Denise Dowse’s I am thrilled to be telling the story of New Orleans Gospel Legend Mahalia Jackson.”

Columbus Short, Janet Hubert, and Wendy Raquel Robinson are other notable names set to fill out the cast.

As of time reported, there is no tentative release date attached to the project.

[photo sources:  Getty Images/AP Images/Facebook]

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