Lifetime has assembled the cast of its Steel Magnolias reboot. Queen Latifah has signed on to star in and executive produce the original movie, an updated, contemporary TV adaptation of the play and 1989 film. She is joined on the all-black cast by Alfre Woodard, Phylicia Rashad, Jill Scott, Adepero Oduye and Rashad’s daughter, Condola Rashad.
Related: Lifetime To Remake ‘Steel Magnolias’ With All-Black Cast
Produced by Sony Pictures Television, Steel Magnolias chronicles the lives and friendship of six women in Louisiana: M’Lynn (Queen Latifah), Ouiser (Woodard), Clairee (Phylicia Rashad), Truvy (Scott), Annelle (Oduye) and Shelby (Condola Rashad). Supporting each other through their triumphs and tragedies, they congregate at Truvy’s beauty shop to ponder the mysteries of life and death, husbands and children — and hair and nails — all the important topics that bring women together. In the 1989 movie, the roles were played by Sally Field (M’Lynn), Dolly Parton (Truvy), Shirley MacLaine (Ouiser), Darryl Hannah (Annelle), Olympia Dukakis (Clairee), and Julia Roberts (Shelby). The remake, which is slated to begin production next month in Atlanta for a debut later this year, will be executive produced by Craig Zadan, Neil Meron, Latifah, her producing partner Shakim Compere and Shelby Stone. Kenny Leon, who previously helmed ABC’s TV adaptation of the play A Raisin In The Sun — also from Sony TV, Zadan and Meron — is directing from a script by Sally Robinson (Iron Jawed Angels) based on the play and feature screenplay by Robert Harling. “The caliber of talent associated with this film is astounding and falls in line with our strategy to make Lifetime a first stop for the industry’s best both in front of and behind the camera,” said Lifetime’s president and general manager Nancy Dubuc. “Queen Latifah, Phylicia, Alfre, Jill, Adepero and Condola are some of the most celebrated women in music, film, television and stage — and we could not be more thrilled and honored for them to bring Robert Harling’s poignant story about the strength of women to a whole new generation.” The film reunites Queen Latifah with Zadan and Meron after co-starring in two movies produced by the duo, Chicago and Hairspray, the former earning her an Oscar nomination. It also expands Queen Latifah’s relationship with Sony TV, where she is developing a syndicated talk show. Additionally, Steel Magnolias marks a reunion for A Raisin In The Sun star Phylicia Rashad with Sony TV, Zadan Meron and Leon. Meanwhile, her daughter Condola starred in Leon’s latest Broadway production, Stick Fly.
WORST CASTING EVER. this movie is legendary. and the idea to make it african american was genius…this casting is a shame. there are so many brilliant african american actresses that would have been perfect for this story. (not that these girls aren’t great) just SO wrong for these characters!
latifah as m’lynn…what?
This is one of my all time movies, I a disappointed that some other actors were not selected for the roles how about Angela, how about some of the actors from the “Help” lets mix it up some, the original cast was so fabulous that I do not feel the cast selected will do it justice, and besides some movies deserve to not be remade and this is one.
You say mix it up and then you suggest the cast of “The Help”, how is that mixing it up? If we keep using the same actresses for all the projects, when does someone new get a chance? Let these ladies do their thing.
You can argue the casting of Phylicia Rashad or Alfre Woodard in ANYTHING? I’d love to know how you’d cast this.
African American women do not like to be called “girls.”
Speak for yourself, girl… uhr, woman. AND I prefer black to AA… so there you go, I guess we’re not just one big monolithic society.
Do you know who these actresses are? And have you actually seen their movies? All are good actresses..
Great cast, and a good mix of seasoned faces and new ones. I know some will cry nepotism at Condola Rashad’s casting, but I’ve seen her onstage in New York more than once, and she’s definitely the real deal.
I agree with Brian, this casting is wrong on many levels. Alfre Woodard would be perfect for the M’Lynn role, not Latifah, who I see as more of a Truvy character.
But I think there are other actresses that could play these roles better. I’m pretty surprised that Jada Pinkett Smith isn’t in this; Also I think Angela Bassett would be perfect and Whoopi Goldberg should have been approached for this.
But honestly, the original movie was so perfect I see no reason they should have remade this film. They should have just done a sequel involving the original cast.
Dude — how do you know these ladies you mention were not approached for the project. Not everyone is dying to do a LIFETIME movie. You’re naive, pal.
Whoopie IS Ousia! I can see Queen as M’Lynn and the Fistey maid in Help as Truvy. Woodard as Claire , as shelby… We’ll, She would probably be an unknown … get some girl who actually is in her early 20s. That leaves Annelle… I’m not sure there…
Should be only a matter of time before Tyler Perry joins the cast…
I totally disagree, the casting is brilliant! The body of work of Queen, Alfre and Phylicia speaks for itself. I cant wait to see it!
Dito! I think these lady’s can pull it off. They are all great. I can’t wait to see Phylicia’s daughter on screen. Can’t wait.
I’m sorry but this is just one movie you do not remake.
Oh right, it was a real lesson in fine film making, a master class in story writing, a freakin’ tour de force in thespian arts…. yeah, no remake could EVER touch it. Please don’t defile this historical, unforgettable movie that, if I had my way, would be right at the top of the AFI best movie list.
This lineup is the BIGGEST joke, ever! And we ALL know the incomparable Jackée Harry is BEST suited to play Truvy. I like Queen Latifah, but give other black actresses a go a some of these films. Damn, must they use the same handful EVERYTIME? Shame on you Hollywood! I won’t be watching this.
Disagreeing with the casting of Phylicia Rashad and Alfre Woodard in anything is the real joke here. Shame on YOU.
The character of Truvy was about 35 years younger than Jackee, come on ow
Great idea! Zadan and Meron are perfect for this – such wonderful producers. (Chicago). Hopefully they will find a terrific African American scribe to rewrite and update the script to suit this wonderful cast.
. Actually Tyler Perry WOULD be perfect to rewrite. His verson of “Colored Girls” was way underappreciated.
Tyler Perry would be just awful to rewrite Steel Magnolias! Bring in Maya Rudolph to do a pass for these ladies!
No, it was NOT under appreciated. It is almost universally agreed, his version sucked. A continuation of hollywood’s twisted keeping it real, steppin fetchit relationship with people of color.
Zadan and Meron do have a knack with finding tired Broadway productions and freshening them for a new audience. Why aren’t they doing Gypsy?
FIERCE Magnolias is more like it!
Queen Latifah is no Sally Field.
While Lifetime is at it they should remake Terms of Endearment and have Megan Fox play Emma, originally played by Debra Winger.
Stop with the remakes – need more original ideas…
I stopped reading the comments when I got to yours. I, too, am sick of remakes. If it was that good, it doesn’t need to be remade and if it was no so good, why bother? But, really, Hollywood could use more original material. It seems as if every movie is either a remake or a movie version of some mediocre television show or yet another installment in some bankable franchise. Or, as I call them McMovies.
Is Robert Harling still alive? What does he have to say about this? Or I guess this has been approved by his estate?
He’s most definitely still alive. In fact, he just developed GCB over on ABC and wrote the first two episodes.
From Steel Magnolias to medicore TV? What happened??
Agree about Condola Rashad. Saw her in Ruined off-Broadway and, more recently, Stick Fly on Broadway. She has the goods and will be a brilliant Shelby.
I think the idea itself it all wrong. If ur going to remake steel magnolias rename the movie and change the names of the ppl in the movie. I will not go watch it if it stays the same idea
I agree 100% with the previous post on having Jackee portray Truvy. If there was ever a role custom made for her, that would be the one. I’m a bit underwhelmed by this casting. And yes, Queen Latifah could stand to step back. She is not some stellar actress. No comment on Alfre Woodard. -_-
I agree with the poster who said cut the remakes and do something original. Myself and other authors are creating new stories all the time…
This is a wonderful cast . Brilliant and talented black actresses , some whom are of my favorite. There is absolutely nothing wrong with making a remake , Hollywood does it ALL OF THE TIME! This opens up opportunities for these black women to win awards.
Kudos to Zadan, Meron and Lifetime. They will translate this into something funny and relevant that speaks to all races. Especially with this can’t miss cast.
Remake it with drag queens and put it on Bravo! Now THAT would be fun! And at least stick to the spirit of the original.
Um, Robert Harling created and produces GCB on ABC.
LOVE GCB!
I refuse to watch this mess unless Jackée Harry is playing Truvy.
Wow are you related to Ms. Harvey?
TERRIBLE CAST! I love Phylicia Rashad and Alfre, but they are TOO BLAND for this film. Bring in JACKEE, TICHINA ARNOLD or LORETTA DEVINE!
Are Phylicia Rashad and Alfre Woodard too bland because they don’t yell, scream and ham up their lines?
Jackee, Tichina Arnold and Loretta Devine…this I can agree with.
Another unnecessary remake.
Jesus Christ, folks, it’s not a remake of a movie — it’s a TV version of a play that was later also made into a movie. People have been doing this for, literally, almost 100 years now. Get over it.
It is good to see Queen Latifah in a new role. I just hope that the quality of the new remake matches the old one. No more Hollywood flops with a great cast and familiar formula. Quality and depth is job 1!!!
Jackée Harry was born to play Truvy! There is a clip of her and Dolly together on YouTube… Identical! Why she wasn’t cast is beyond me!