Queen Latifah to Star in 'Steel Magnolias'

Too soon for a Steel Magnolias reboot? The 1989 film has become a gay classic, partially due to its stellar female cast that includes Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Julia Roberts, Daryl Hannah. And the play is a standard for aging ladies to play in community theaters around the country.

Now, Deadline reports that Lifetime has cast Queen Latifah in the M'Lynn (Field) role. And Phylicia Rashad and Alfre Woodard will play the bickering spinsters Ouiser and Clairee, respectively.

Let's put this in perspective: This means that when Shelby (Condola Rashad, Phylicia's daughter) explains that her signature color is pink, and her wedding will be "blush and bashful," Latifah will have to hit the line: "Her colors are pink and pink. That sanctuary looks like it's been hosed down with Pepto-Bismol." Or we will NEVER forgive her.

Can Jill Scott pull of Truvy in that salon? We hope so. And who will play her husband (who was stud Sam Shephard in the film)?

We're most excited to see Adepero Oduye as the awkward ingenue Annelle (Hannah). Oduye was amazing in Pariah and deserves wider recognition. Actually, now that we're thinking about it, why wasn't Kim Wayans cast in this film? After seeing her in Dee Rees's breakout film, we realize she'd bring an amazing amount of levity and tearjerker qualities.

It doesn't sound like it's shaping up to be a prestige project, but we hope they can pull it together and not disappoint.