The queen of R&B has been cast to play the empress of jazz: Mary J. Blige will play the title role in Nina, a biopic centered on jazz songstress Nina Simone. The film will be directed by Cynthia Mort and focuses on the star’s relationship with Clifton Henderson, Simone’s assistant. Henderson’s part will be played by David Oyelowo. The film is slated to cost $10 million and be shot this fall.
