'American Idol's' Jordin Sparks to Star Opposite Whitney Houston in 'Sparkle'

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Jordin Sparks will play the lead role in Sparkle, a remake of the 1976 film inspired by the story of the Supremes.

The original Sparkle centered on the three Williams sisters, who begin singing in their church choir in Harlem in the late 1950s and become a successful girl group. Their sudden rise unravels their personal lives.

Whitney Houston is in talks to play the not-so encouraging mother of Sparks' character. Mike Epps is also on board Satin, a stand-up comedian who marries one of the sisters and gets her hooked on drugs.

The movie will be the acting debut of Sparks, who won the sixth season of American Idol and had top singles such as “No Air.”

Mara Brock Akil, who created and executive produces BET's hit comedy The Game, wrote the script while husband Salim Akil, who has helmed every episode of Game and many episodes of the UPN hit Girlfriends, is directing.

Debra Martin Chase is producing with TD Jakes, the Akils and Curtis Wallace.