The remake of “Sparkle” is on the road to starting next month. Whitney Houston, already announced, will play Jordin Sparks‘s mother. In this version, Whitney’s character will not be a maid but a former R&B star who’s gone back to the church. I am told that Whitney will sing two gospel songs in the film.

Words from Roger Friedman at Showbiz411.com on the Sparkle remake, being developed by Salim Akil and Mara Brock Akil, which already has Jordin Sparks, Whitney Houston, Mike Epps, Derek Luke, Carmen Ejogo, Tika Sumpter, and Cee Lo Green in its cast, with rumors that Michael K. Williams will also feature.

Mary Alice played the role of “Effie,” the mother of the sisters, in the original 1976 film.

Curious what influenced the Akil’s decision to change her occupation… 🙂