Jennifer Hudson will star in the drama Winnie, portraying Winnie Mandela, the former wife of South Africa's first black president, Nelson Mandela.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film will shoot in the South African locations of Johannesburg, Capt Town, Transkei and Robben Island, where the future president spent 18 of his 27 years in prison.

Winnie will be directed by Darrell J. Roodt.

Andre Pieterse, Roodt and Paul L. Johnson wrote a script based on the Anne Marie du Preez Bezdrob biography "Winnie Mandela:A Life."

The filmmakers will tell the whole story, good and bad.

"I was compelled and moved when I read the script," Hudson said. "Winnie Mandela is a complex and extraordinary woman and I'm honored to be the actress asked to portray her. This is a powerful part of history that should be told."

The film will begin production May 30, 2010.