Steel Magnolias Gets Colorful Makeover

Looks like Queen Latifah, Phylicia Rashad, Alfre Woodard, Jill Scott and the newest stars on the horizon, Pariah’s Adepero Oduye and Broadway darling Condola Rashad who also happens to be the daughter of Phylicia Rashad are poised to fill in the shoes of the impressive cast from the 1989 tearjerker, Steel Magnolias, the film that helped solidify actress Julia Roberts’ career.

The roles will be distributed as follows; Queen Latifah will inhabit the role of M’Lynn, which Sally Field touchingly portrayed. Condola Rashad will be Shelby, the sickly but spirited daughter that was affectingly played by Julia Roberts. Phylicia Rashad will be busy tackling the Olympia Dukakis role of Clairee. Alfre Woodard will breathe life into the character of Ouiser, a role that Shirley MacLaine played to perfection. Jill Scott is perfectly cast as Dolly Parton’s Truvy, the hairdresser who keeps abreast on all the town’s gossip. Newcomer Adepero Oduye rounds up the cast as Annelle, the new girl in town with a past. It was one of the few times Daryl Hannah hinted at her capabilities of being a real actress.

Queen Latifah will also serve as executive producer for the film that will air on Lifetime and be set this time in Louisana as opposed to Georgia, which provided the backdrop for the original starrer.

Not much else has been divulged about the anticipated project but sources say that the finished product should premiere later this year.

Judging by the roster of stars, it should be worth the wait.