Thehollywoodreporter have released the first image of Jennifer Hudson and Terrence Howard in the upcoming movie Winnie. Hudson -who deservedly won an Oscar for her role in ‘Dreamgirls’- is playing Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, while Howard is playing Nelson Mandela.  The script is based on the Anne Marie du Preez Bezdrob biography “Winnie Mandela:A Life.” Winnie Mandela is a complex and extraordinary woman to say the least, I’m really interested to see how this film pans out, on paper it looks like a gem! Winnie is set for release sometime in 2011.

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, 72, remains a popular figure in South African politics despite her 1991 conviction for involvement in the kidnapping, assault and death of a 14-year-old alleged informer, Stompie Moeketsi. She and Nelson Mandela had been married for only a year before he was forced into hiding and then imprisoned in 1962 – he would only be freed in 1990. While he was in gaol, she became an increasingly powerful figure in the African National Congress and went on to run the ANC Women’s League. She was deputy minister of arts, culture, science and technology in the first post-apartheid government for 11 months, until allegations of corruption led to her dismissal.

Jennifer Hudson winner of a Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2006’s Dreamgirls, will take the lead role in a new biopic of the former South African first lady Winnie Mandela, the film will shoot from May 30, 2010. Nelson Mandela himself  is being portrayed by  Morgan Freeman in the upcoming Clint Eastwood-directed Invictus, which centres on Nelson’s attempts to unite his country behind the South African team in the 1995 rugby World Cup.

Winnie will be directed by Darrell J. Roodt. Andre Pieterse, Roodt and Paul L. Johnson wrote a script based on the Anne Marie du Preez Bezdrob biography “Winnie Mandela:A Life.” The filmmakers have said they will ‘tell the whole story, good and bad’. “I was compelled and moved when I read the script,” 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.” I’d really like to see how this turns out, Winnie Mandela is an interesting and complex character, Jennifer Hudson was great in Dreamgirls but it wasn’t like she was out of her comfort zone, we’ll have to wait and see, I’ve got faith!

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, 72, remains a popular figure in South African politics despite her 1991 conviction for involvement in the kidnapping, assault and death of a 14-year-old alleged informer, Stompie Moeketsi. She and Nelson Mandela had been married for only a year before he was forced into hiding and then imprisoned in 1962 – he would only be freed in 1990. While he was in gaol, she became an increasingly powerful figure in the African National Congress and went on to run the ANC Women’s League. She was deputy minister of arts, culture, science and technology in the first post-apartheid government for 11 months, until allegations of corruption led to her dismissal.