Along with Marvin Gaye and Jimi Hendrix, Nina Simone is part of a cohort of black musicians who have biopics in the works that have struggled to actually come to fruition.

Recent rumors had Mary J. Blige to star in a film of Simone’s life.

Now, the gossip is that Zoe Saldana has been tabbed to play Simone in the biopic, Nina:

Often full of heartbreak and the remarkable music they inspire, the lives of great musicians have time and time again proved solid ground for Academy Award-winning biopics. From Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles in Ray to Sissy Spacek as Loretta Lynn in Coal Miner’s Daughter and Marion Cotillard as Edith Piaf in La vie en rose, playing a singer plagues by pain is a great way to earn worldwide notice and score Oscar gold. The latest to join the ranks of these celebrated performers could be Zoe Saldana, who has been tapped to portray the great Nina Simone in an in-development biopic titled simply Nina.

Read more at Cinema Blend.

Simone absolutely deserves a movie or several. Still, the names that have been attached to playing her have left us scratching our heads.

Although Saldana has more acting skills than Blige, she in no way resembles Simone–Saldana is considerably thinner–and has not been known for any singing or piano playing chops.

 

Is this just a typical Hollywood choice?

Who would you have play Nina Simone: Hollywood vet or no-name newcomer?

Sound off below!