Queen Latifah to star in Lifetime movie 'Flint'

April 17 (UPI) -- Queen Latifah is to executive produce and star in the Lifetime Original Movie Flint.

Bruce Beresford will start directing next week from a script by Barbara Stepansky. Co-starring Jill Scott, Betsy Brandt and Marin Ireland, the film was inspired by the Time magazine story, "The Toxic Tap," by Josh Sanburn.

The Sony Pictures Television production marks a reunion for Queen Latifah, Scott, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron who previously collaborated on the small-screen adaptation of Steel Magnolias.

"The project follows the true story of three women from Flint who sought justice following the wrongdoing committed against the residents of the city who were unknowingly drinking and using lead-laden water," Lifetime said in a press release Monday. "Their actions inspired a national movement for safe drinking water despite the political powers working against them at every turn. Scott, Brandt and Ireland will portray real-life activists and Latifah will play a fourth resident, fighting to expose the poisoning of the community during the horrific events of the water crisis."