**Breaking Film News** New "Winnie" Trailer

In film news, the trailer has just been released for the movie Winnie starring Jennifer Hudson and Terrence Howard. The movie focuses on the relationship between Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and Nelson Mandela. Winnie is also based on the book "Winnie Mandela: A Life".



A release date has not been set as of yet...

Terrence Howard to play Nelson Mandela (In Jennifer Hudson-starring feature 'Winnie' )

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Terrence Howard (Hustle & Flow, The Best Man) is to portray Nelson Mandela in the Jennifer Hudson-starring feature "Winnie," based on the story of Winnie Mandela, Nelson Mandela's former wife.

Darrell Roodt is directing the $15 million historical drama, a South Africa-Canada co-production has set a production date of May 31 in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held prisoner for 18 years.

In addition, Canadian distributor D Films said it acquired the Canadian rights to "Winnie," a co-production of Canadian producer Equinoxe Films and South African partner MaAfrika Films.

Jennifer Hudson to play Winnie Mandela

In breaking news, it has been confirmed that Hudson, who won an Oscar back in 2006 for her supporting role in the film Dreamgirls, will take the lead role in a new biopic of the former South African first lady, Winnie Mandela.

Production will begin May 30 in the South African locations of Johannesburg, Cape Town, Transkei and Robben Island, where the former president spent 18 of his 27 years in prison.

"I was compelled and moved when I read the script," Hudson said. "Winnie Mandela is a complex and extraordinary woman and I'm honoured to be the actress asked to portray her. This is a powerful part of history that should be told."

The news means that both Nelson and Winnie Mandela are being portrayed by American Academy-anointed actors in new films; Morgan Freeman is starring as the former president in the Clint Eastwood-directed Invictus, which centres on Nelson's attempts to unite his country behind the South African team in the 1995 rugby World Cup. The film, which co-stars Matt Damon as the team's captain, Francois Pienaar, is due out early next year (2010).

Hudson is also listed to sing the theme tune.