Meet the new "Steel Magnolias": Queen Latifah, Alfre Woodard, Phylicia Rashad and Jill Scott will star in Lifetime's remake of the classic 1989 film.
Adepero Oduye and Rashad’s daughter, Condola Rashad, will also star. The contemporary remake of the film follows six Louisiana women, M'Lynn (Queen Latifah), Ouiser (Woodard), Clairee (Phylicia Rashad), Truvy (Scott), Annelle (Oduye) and Shelby (Condola Rashad), as they support each other through the trials and tribulations of life.
"Smash" executive producers Craig Zadan, Neil Meron, Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere and Shelby Stone are behind the project set to begin production in Atlanta in April. Lifetime has not announced an official premiere date, but it's expected to debut later in 2012. Kenny Leon, the director of ABC’s "A Raisin In The Sun," will direct "Steel Magnolias" from a script Sally Robinson wrote based on Robert Harling's play.
"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," Nancy Dubuc, president and general manager of Lifetime Entertainment, said in a statement. "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."
Here's how Lifetime describes the new movie:
In an updated contemporary version, "Steel Magnolias" chronicles the lives and friendship of six women in Louisiana. 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.