The announcement that Hudson would be taking on the role of the veteran singer was made during record producer Clive Davis' annual pre-Grammys party, reported Deadline.
Hudson, 36, was introduced by Davis ahead of her performance at the party, and went on to perform Franklin's songs Think and Respect, before moving on to her own songs.
Not many details about the film have been revealed but Franklin had previously said that the project has been in development since 2011.
Producing the film will be "Straight Outta Compton's" Scott Bernstein and music producer Harvey Mason Jr.
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