Lifetime will offer a contemporary telling of the 1980s film Steel Magnolias that will feature Golden Globe and Grammy Award winning actress Queen Latifah, the network announced Monday.
Latifah will direct and star in the Lifetime original movie, which is based on the play and 1989 film of the same name and which will air later this year. Latifah will star alongside Golden Globe and multiple Emmy-winner Alfre Woodard, Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad, Grammy winner Jill Scott and Adepero Oduye and Condola Rashad, according to Nancy Dubuc, Lifetime president and general manger.
Steel Magnolias will be executive produced by Latifah, Craig Zandan and Neil Meron (Drop Dead Diva), Shakim Compere (Single Ladies) and Shelby Stone.
"The caliber of talent associated with this film is astounding and falls in line with our strategy to make Lifetime a first stop for the industry's best both in front of and behind the camera," Dubuc said in a statement. "Queen Latifah, Phylicia, Alfre, Jill, Adepero and Condola are some of the most celebrated women in music, film, television and stage - and we could not be more thrilled and honored for them to bring Robert Harling's poignant story about the strength of women to a whole new generation."
