According to reports, Jennifer Hudson will play Winnie Mandela in an upcoming biopic.

The former American Idol contestant turned Academy Award winner to take on role of controversial South African figure.

in her young career, Hudson has already won an Oscar for her screen  the role of Effie White in ‘Dreamgirls.’ Now Variety says she has been cast as the lead in ‘Winnie,’ which will reportedly tell both the ‘good and bad’ story of former South African president Nelson Mandela’s ex-wife.

Winnie Mandela is a controversial figure. During Nelson Mandela’s 27-year incarceration, she campaigned for his release and fought against apartheid but the couple separated while Nelson was still in prison. Winnie became known for violent rhetoric and her reputation was irrevocably tarnished by allegations of involvement in the 1988 torture and murder of 14-year-old Stompie Moeketsi, a.k.a. James Seipei. She was also convicted of fraud in 2003.

‘Winnie’ will be directed by South African filmmaker Darrell J. Roodt, whose credits include ‘Cry, The Beloved Country’ and ‘Sarafina!’ His 2006 film ‘Yesterday’ was Africa’s Best Foreign Film nominee.

Production of ‘Winnie’ begins in May in Johannesburg, Cape Town, the Transkei and Robben Island, where the future president spent 18 of his 27 years in prison. Canada’s Equinoxe Films is involved in the production.

The script is based on the Anne Marie du Preez Bezdrob biography ‘Winnie Mandela: A Life.’

‘I was compelled and moved when I read the script,’ Jennifer Hudson said. ‘Winnie Mandela is a complex and extraordinary woman and I’m honored to be the actress asked to portray her. This is a powerful part of history that should be told.’

Hudson is also expected to sing the film’s theme song.

Another Nelson Mandela project is underway as well. He  will be portrayed by Morgan Freeman in the Clint Eastwood-directed ‘Invictus.’

Jennifer Hudson To Play Winnie Mandela In New Movie