Idol Star and Grammy-Nominated Singer Fantasia to play Mahalia Jackson in Film Biopic

The potential role of a lifetime has been given to American Idol Winner and Alum Fantasia Barrino. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the season three winner is slated to appear in a feature-film adaptation of the 1993 book Got to Tell It: Mahalia Jackson, Queen of Gospel, which recounts the life of the late American gospel singer.

This could really put Fantasia on the movie map if it works out! Remember the greatness that resulted from her role in The Color Purple Broadway play (when she was doing it consistently). To be honest I can't think of anyone else that could fit this role other than Jennifer Hudson, but I think the right call was made.

The film will be directed by Euzhan Palcy (A Dry White Season) from a script by Jim Evering, and goes into production in April in Pittsburgh and Chicago for a December release.