Terrence HowardTerrence Howard will join Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson ('Dreamgirls') in 'Winnie,' a biopic about the life of Winnie Mandela (Hudson).

According to Variety, Howard will play a young Nelson Mandela in the film, which is expected to begin principle shooting at the end of the month in South Africa.

Darrell James Roodt ('Yesterday') will direct the project, from a script he co-wrote with producer Andre Pieterse. The film is based on the book 'Winnie Mandela: A Life' by Anne Marie du Preez Bezdrob. Terrence HowardTerrence Howard will join Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson ('Dreamgirls') in 'Winnie,' a biopic about the life of Winnie Mandela (Hudson).

According to Variety, Howard will play a young Nelson Mandela in the film, which is expected to begin principle shooting at the end of the month in South Africa.

Darrell James Roodt ('Yesterday') will direct the project, from a script he co-wrote with producer Andre Pieterse. The film is based on the book 'Winnie Mandela: A Life' by Anne Marie du Preez Bezdrob.

In the meantime, Howard, who received an Oscar nomination for the 2005 drama 'Hustle & Flow,' has a number of upcoming projects, including 'Little Murder,' opposite Josh Lucas, and 'The Ledge,' about a man (Charlie Hunham) intent on jumping from a high-rise building. Patrick Wilson and Liv Tyler co-star.

As for Hudson, this will mark her first acting gig since the 2008 film 'The Secret Life of Bees.'