Audra McDonald to Portray Aretha Franklin in Upcoming Biopic?

According to The Detroit News, Aretha Franklin believes that four time Tony award-winner Audra McDonald would be the perfect actress to portray her in an upcoming biopic about the legendary singer's life. Ms. Franklin was in New York recently to celebrate her 70th birthday and took in a performance of the new version of GERSHWIN'S PORGY AND BESS, now playing at the Richard Rogers Theatre and starring McDonald as Bess. 

Last year, Franklin had reportedly suggested that Halle Berry should portray her in the film, despite the fact that the Hollywood actresss does not sing. McDonald, on the other hand, is a classically trained singer who has earned four Tony awards for her performances in the Broadway productions of "A Raisin in the Sun," "Ragtime," "Carousel" and "Master Class" and two Emmys for her role in the ABC medical drama, "Private Practice". 

Franklin has not officially spoke with McDonald about the possibility of her taking on the role of the 'The Queen of Soul'. She is currently in negotiations to get the biographical project "off the ground".