Jennifer Hudson to play Winnie Mandela
Just three months after giving birth to her son, Jennifer Hudson has announced her next role. The Oscar-winning actress is set to play Winnie Mandela, wife of Nelson Mandela – South Africa’s first black president who spent 27 years in prison during apartheid. The film, titled WINNIE, will focus on the life and times of Winnie Mandela, who campaigned tirelessly for her husband’s release.
However, Winnie’s image was ruined by a series of scandals, including her links to the kidnapping and murder of a 14 year old activist and a conviction for fraud. She separated from Nelson Mandela in 1992, three years after his release. The filmmakers plan to tell the whole story, good and bad.
The film will be directed by Darrell J. Roodt, whose films include YESTERDAY, CRY, THE BELOVED COUNTRY, and SARAFINA!.
The film will begin production in May in the South African locations of Johannesburg, Cape Town, and the Transkei and Robben Island.
Hudson, who got her start on “American Idol,” won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2007 for her performance in the musical, DREAMGIRLS. The Grammy Award winner is also expected to sing the film’s theme song.
Source Variety
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