Mary J. Blige is attached to star in an untitled Nina Simone biopic for MTV Films which Paramount Pictures will distribute reports Reuters.
Simone, known as the high priestess of soul, rose to fame in the '60s with signature jazz ballads and such powerful protest songs as "Mississippi Goddam" and "To Be Young, Gifted, and Black". In 1974, the chanteuse went into exile, eventually ending up in Paris, where she died in 2003.
The film, which will chronicle Simone's ascent to stardom and her relationship with Paris-based manager Clifton Henderson, marks the first toplining project for R&B star Blige.
