Jennifer Hudson Takes on Winnie Mandela
Filed under: Drama, Casting, Deals
Jennifer Hudson, the multitalented performer who was once a finalist on American Idol and is now a sought-after Oscar winner, will be starring in a biopic about Winnie Mandela, based on the book Winnie Mandela: A Life. Mandela, the ex-wife of South African President Nelson Mandela, is a controversial figure; although she's a stalwart activist against apartheid, with some calling her the Mother of the Nation, she has also been embroiled in several scandals, both of the personal and political nature. Perhaps most controversial was her association with a former bodyguard who was charged with the murder of a kidnapped 14-year-old. She was also charged with bank fraud in 2001; as the New York Times wrote, "there is no doubt that the woman who was once celebrated as a heroine of the anti-apartheid struggle has become mired in a particularly sticky set of financial and political troubles." According to Variety, the movie will be directed by Darrell J. Roodt, a South African who directed Cry, the Beloved Country, which stars James Earl Jones.
Hudson said, "I was compelled and moved when I read the script... Winnie Mandela is a complex and extraordinary woman and I'm honored to be the actress asked to portray her. This is a powerful part of history that should be told."
This sounds like a really interesting project, and one that will shed light on a figure in history that's too often relegated to "wife-of" status. I look forward to seeing Hudson on the big screen once again. Hudson won an Oscar for Supporting Actress for her role in Dreamgirls, and went on to star in The Secret Life of Bees and the indie drama Fragments (aka Winged Creatures) the same year she played Carrie Bradshaw's assistant in Sex and the City.
Filming on Winnie begins May 30th in South Africa. Hudson also will be performing the theme song.
Take that, Simon Cowell!
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(Page 1)2. wow! Big role for Jennifer...here's hoping she lives up to it!
Posted at 8:05PM on Nov 19th 2009 by Pretty Paula
3. I have started a FB group advocating for African Actors to be cast for lead roles of films about AFRICANS. I mean no disrespect to Miss Hudson and I believe she is a rising star in the film industry, however, there are many amazing SOUTH AFRICAN actresses who should have been given an opportunity to be cast for the role.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=180554527073&ref=search&sid=619205001.1386359012..1
Posted at 8:12AM on Nov 20th 2009 by African Actors
4. when its your time it is just your time don' t think this way, in jennifer on way she is african she was just born in the united states, just think you may be the person to do the life story of jennifer hudson you being from africa has nothing to do with it .smile ..
Posted at 10:26PM on Nov 27th 2009 by Arnette
5. WIth all due respect Arnette, Miss Hudson is not African. If I told you that a South African was American, you'd pull your face back and frown at me. If some R'nB star from South Africa was cast to play Obama, black Americans would be up in arms. That's how we feel about Miss Hudson playing Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. You don't have the faintest clue how influential that woman was - you can only get a small sense of it. In much the same way that South Africans can't really appreciate how influential Rosa Parks REALLY was, and that's the truth. No one is saying Miss Hudson isn't talented. It's just not for her to be playing this role. Simple as that.
Posted at 6:12PM on Dec 9th 2009 by African Actors
6. this has to be a joke. she should never have won the oscar, and now this? the whole thing is so farcical it almost hurts.
Posted at 2:20AM on Dec 8th 2009 by James
7. I just want to know if they need a white south african 14 year old girl to be even an extra in the film. i have brown hair and brown eyes. cant wait for the movie to come out!
Posted at 4:57AM on Dec 15th 2009 by Kerry Ann Gill
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1. This sounds great! A biopic about a fascinating woman, not YARM!
Posted at 3:49PM on Nov 22nd 2009 by CParis