Jennifer Hudson, Queen Latifah and Sophie Okonedo have joined the cast of Fox Searchlight's The Secret Life of Bees – which is based on the Sue Monk Kidd novel.
Jennifer Hudson - Out 100 Awards – Arrivals - Cipriani’s Wall Street - New York City, NY, USA © Janet Mayer / PR Photos
Variety reports Dakota Fanning is in talks to star as the 14-year-old girl who runs away from home and is taken in by an eccentric trio of beekeeping sisters. Singer Alicia Keys is also in talks for a part in the film – which is being directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood based on her screenplay adaptation of the novel.
The film is set in South Carolina in 1964, and follows Lily Owens as she escapes her lonely life and troubled relationship with her father by running away with her caregiver and only friend to a South Carolina town that holds the secret to her mother's past.
The Secret Life of Bees is set to start filming Jan. 9 in North Carolina with a 2008 release date through Fox Searchlight. The novel was published in 2002 and was a long-running New York Times bestseller.
The film adaptation is being produced by Lauren Shuler Donner, Jack Leslie and James Lassiter. Will Smith and Joe Pichirallo are also set to handle producing duties.
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