Her name is preceded by "Oscar nominee", her film Bringing Down The House is holding court at the top of the US box office, and now Chicago diva Queen Latifah is Disney's latest muse, as they tailor-make a romantic comedy for the hip hopper-turned-movie star.
The royal rapper will play a princess of sorts in a modern-day Cinderella story which takes place in the world of pro basketball. Tinseltown studio Disney has made a "preemptive purchase" of screenwriter Michael Elliot's Just Wright – the tale of a physical therapist who falls in love with her famous NBA patient – as a vehicle for the red-hot actress.
Apparently the idea to cast Latifah in the film came from the success of the Tom Hanks produced sleeper hit My Big Fat Greek Wedding and a comment Elliot heard while watching the Golden Globes. As the charismatic Queen strolled up the Golden Globes red carpet, someone remarked: "Why doesn't someone put her in a romantic comedy?".
Says the screenwriter: "It took Tom Hanks's clout to get My Big Fat Greek Wedding made, but Nia Vardalos proved that you don't have to be Julia Roberts, Meg Ryan or Halle Berry to appeal to the real women who identify with women like Nia or Latifah."
Click here to read more about Queen Latifah and the other Oscar nominees in our star profiles
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
