Idol Jennifer Hudson to Star as Effie White in Dreamgirls Movie

American Idol 3 finalist Jennifer Hudson will play Effie White, the role that won Jennifer Holliday a Tony Award, in the upcoming big screen adaptation of Dreamgirls, according to The New York Daily News. Hudson joins previously announced stars Beyonce Knowles, Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy and Danny Glover in the film.

"Who better to play Jennifer Holliday's role than Jennifer Hudson?" the confident diva asked Broadway.com in a 2004 interview. "We even both have the same name! And besides, I can actually sing those songs. It'll save a lot of people a lot of trouble!"

Hudson was considered one of the reigning divas of American Idol 3, but she was ousted from the show on April 21, 2004. With that dismissal, she ended up coming in seventh among the contestants. A native of Chicago, Illinois, Hudson auditioned for American Idol in Atlanta. While she does not have professional voice training, she was employed as a cruise ship singer before Idol. She appeared on the Broadway stage in the one-night-only Actors' Fund performance of Hair and has also toured around the country with other American Idol finalists and performed at numerous benefits.

Hudon's American Idol competitor Fantasia Barrino, who went on to win the reality show, was previously said to be in line for the role. Foxx spoke publicly about his hope Barrino would be cast, but an official announcement regarding the casting of Effie White was never made.

Dreamgirls, which centers on the rise of a Supremes-like singing trio, features music by Henry Krieger The Tap Dance Kid, Side Show and book and lyrics by Tom Eyen.

The Dreamgirls film is being written and directed by Bill Condon. Production is expected to start in Los Angeles in early 2006.