Queen Latifah Biopic in Works with Will Smith Attached as Co-Producer

Queen Latifah is bringing her life story to the big screen with a new biopic that kicks off a series of movies about hip-hop icons.

Latifah, a Grammy and Emmy winner and Oscar nominee, and her Flavor Unit Entertainment partner Shakim Compere will produce the forthcoming movie with Westbrook Studios and Jesse Collins Entertainment (“The New Edition Story” and “The Bobby Brown Story”).

“We all came into this industry together and Hip Hop has shaped each and every one of us,” said Latifah and Compere in a statement announcing the project and the partnership. “Hip Hop’s impact has expanded beyond just music and has created a lasting impression on culture and society overall. It is a dream to be able to collaborate with friends and colleagues that have not only a shared understanding but are able to tell these stories that were the backdrop of our lives.”

News of the biopic isn't as much of a surprise, since in her 2022 Variety Power of Women cover story, Latifah teased that she had some interest in presenting the Dana Owens story in film form. “I actually have some things I’m cooking up,” she teased. “[But] I’ve got to break some of that up [into different projects]. There’s so many stories to tell.”

Will Smith and Miguel Melendez will produce the movie for Westbrook Studios; Jesse Collins and Dionne Harmon produce for Jesse Collins Entertainment; and Charlie Mack will also serve as a producer on the project.

“When you bring talented people and teams together, you can create something truly special,” Smith said. “I’m thrilled to work alongside Flavor Unit, Jesse Collins Entertainment and HarbourView, to highlight the incredible stories of some of our favorite artists and icons. There’s no better story to start with than the one of Queen Latifah, an undisputed legend who has both entertained and inspired us for so many years.”

Added Collins: “Queen Latifah’s story is one of triumph that needs to be shared with the world. Joining forces with such amazing people to educate and inspire through storytelling is just the beginning of the impact this partnership will have.”

The Queen Latifah movie is set to launch the slate of biopics about iconic artists, which will be independently financed by HarbourView Equity Partners. The firm will provide access to its portfolio of more than 70 music catalogs and thousands of titles spanning numerous genres, eras, and artists for potential development opportunities.

“As a girl from Queens, Hip-Hop fundamentally shaped who I am. Music and storytelling was my passport to destinations both familiar and untraveled,” said Sherrese Clarke Soares, HarbourView founder & CEO. “It is an honor to partner with Flavor Unit, Jesse Collins Entertainment, and Westbrook to tell these stories and document Queen Latifah’s journey and her undeniable impact on the world.”