Aretha Franklin has suggested that she would like Audra
McDonald
(Private Practice) to play her in the upcoming biopic on the

Queen of Soul. Franklin saw McDonald in a role on Broadway (Porgy and
Bess
) and was impressed with her work.

Franklin added that there has been no contact with McDonald, but said she
admires her stage presence and singing voice.

The biopic is based on her 1999 best-selling autobiography, From These
Roots
, and will get the same title.

Over the past year, names floated for the role have included Jennifer
Hudson
, Halle Berry and Fantasia.

Meanwhile, Franklin has pegged Denzel Washington to portray her father
Rev. Clarence LaVaughn, with Blair Underwood playing her brother
Cecil Franklin, Nia Long playing her older sister Erma and
Kerry Washington playing her younger sister Carolyn.