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The Aretha Franklin Biopic - The planned Aretha Franklin feature biopic is currently on hold. But the Queen of Soul still definitely deserves to be forever immortalized on film. Here are BET.com's picks for key starring roles.(Photo: Morris Melvin/PictureGroup)

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Jennifer Hudson or Amber Riley as Aretha Franklin - Portraying the Queen of Soul will take a mixture of acting range, attitude and powerhouse vocals. Whether Franklin's classic hits are re-recorded or lipsynched, we think Jennifer Hudson — an early Aretha contender in her planned biopic — or Glee's Amber Riley perfectly captures Franklin's essence at any age.(Photos from left: Morris Melvin/PictureGroup, Larry Busacca/Getty Images, Scott Kirkland/PictureGroup)

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Queen Latifah and Forest Whitaker as Barbara and C.L. Franklin - Aretha's parents Barbara and C.L. Franklin had a troubled marriage that produced four children. Queen Latifah and Oscar winner Forest Whitaker could create the best chemisty to bring that dynamic onscreen.(Photos from left: Courtesy wikicommons, Chad Buchanan/Getty Images, Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

Photo By Photos from left: Courtesy wikicommons

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Gabrielle Union as Erma Franklin - Gabrielle Union's beauty, spunk and poise is a match for Franklin's older sister Erma. The original vocalist for the song "Piece of My Heart," made famous by Janis Joplin, Erma also sang background vocals on "Respect" and toured with Aretha.(Photos from left: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images, Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup)

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Jeffrey Wright as Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. - He unforgettably embodied Dr. Martin Luther King in the 2001 TV movie Boycott, so Jeffrey Wright could easily reprise the role as the close friend of Franklin's dad. Aretha famously sang at King's funeral when he was assassinated in 1968.(Photos from left:  Reg Lancaster/Express/Getty Images, Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

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Taraji P. Henson as Diana Ross - Taraji P. Henson has always said her dream role is to play the legendary Diana Ross. Now is her chance! An Aretha biopic would need to include the alleged feud between Ross and Franklin, which gives Lil' Kim and Nicki Minaj a run for their money. Henson has the grace to make the "I'm Coming Out" diva come alive.(Photos from left: Gregg DeGuirePictureGroup, Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images)

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Brian McKnight as Luther Vandross - Franklin's '60s song hit parade hit a slump in the '70s, and in the '80s Luther Vandross revived her career by penning and producing her hit "Jump To It." And Brian McKnight? He's the only singer/actor with the screen presence to croon into the R&B legend.(Photos from left: KMazur/WireImage, Giulio Marrochi/Getty Images)

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Paul Shaffer as Clive Davis - Musician and actor Paul Shaffer has both the song tools and talent to play music legend Clive Davis. Davis signed Franklin to Arista in the '80s and launched the second comeback wave of the Queen of Soul's career.(Photos from left: WireImage, Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Photo By Photos from left: WireImage

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Chiwetel Ejiofor as President Barack Obama - After dazzling movie audiences with his earnest performance in Talk to Me, the British born Nigerian actor could completely transform into our nation's first Black President. Franklin sang at Obama's inauguration ceremony in 2009.(Photos from left: Pete Souza,  Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

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Directed By Kasi Lemmons - Lots of directors could adequately tackle this music biopic. But truthfully, the woman behind Eve's Bayou and Talk to Me would best helm Aretha Franklin's soul survivor story in the most r-e-s-p-e-c-t-ful and regal way befitting a queen.(Photo: Mark Mainz/Getty Images)