Jill Scott Roots Picnic 2019
Photo Credit: Vickey Ford of Sneakshot for Okayplayer
Jill Scott to Play Gospel Legend Mahalia Jackson in Upcoming Movie
Jill Scott will star in the movie, while Queen Latifah and Jamie Foxx will be producers.
Jill Scott will be perfect for this role.
Deadline is reporting that Jill Scott will play gospel legend Mahalia Jackson in an upcoming biopic about the legendary singer. The movie will be called Mahalia! and it will be produced by Jamie Foxx and Queen Latifah, so there's some real star power here.
The movie will be based on Mahalia Jackson, a 1992 novel written by Darlene Donloe. What makes this project exciting is that the producers have secured the rights for Jackson's entire catalog.
Speaking about the project, producer Latifah said:
“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."
"Queen of Gospel" is right. For decades, Jackson was the most notable Black singer in the country. She was a powerful ally to Martin Luther King Jr. — who once said, "A voice like this one comes not once in a century, but once in a millennium." She was also a wealthy platinum-selling artist, who would later go on to become an inspiration for Aretha Franklin.
Considering her chops as a singer and her acting resume, Scott seems like a great fit for the role. Over the years Jill Scott has appeared in various films and TV shows. Her most well know appearances occurred as Lady Eve on Black Lightning.
