Now, let’s start by saying that Jennifer Hudson is a capable actress. She blew Beyoncé out the water in Dreamgirls and by all accounts she did her thing in The Secret Life of Bees. But like all outfits aren’t for all weather conditions, all parts aren’t for all people. It was an outright shock to learn she had been picked to play Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. Good luck to her, hope she does the part justice, but it just seems a little, well, opportunistic. It’s like getting Salma Hayek to play Benazir Bhutto because they are both olive-skinned.

Why can’t continental Africans be the stars of their own stories? Is there some ancient film industry edict which states that famous black Africans can only be played by African-Americans or black Europeans? Would it really have been so ridiculous to have cast one of South Africa’s many brilliant actresses – Bonnie Henna, Leleti Khumalo or Terry Pheto, for example – in the part of their greatest female icon? If so, that might explain why we’ve had Denzel Washington play Steve Biko, Forrest Whitaker play Idi Amin (in a film that was actually about his white student doctor, but that’s another blog entirely) and why Morgan Freeman recently joined Dennis ‘24‘ Haysbert and Clarke ‘The Wire‘ Peters in the canon of those who have played Nelson Mandela (in Clint Eastwood’s new film Inviticus.

But ever thoughtful, in preparation for the next scramble for black Hollywood stars to play African icons AfriPOP! has come up with a list to give casting directors a head start:

Fela Kuti

They may have got a Sierra Leonean to play him on Broadway (Sahr Ngaujah in Fela! The Musical) but they’ll not make that mistake in Hollywood. No sir. With his passion, intellect, slight frame and impeccable revolutionary credentials Mos Def would make the perfect Fela. If unavailable, see that other bare-chested sex god, Usher. Steve McQueen, if you’re reading this, call us. We can help!

Kwame Nkrumah

It’s only a matter of time before Ghana’s black star is honoured in celluloid.   And when it happens, the part of pan-Africanism elder statesmen has Danny ‘Hollywood legend’ Glover written all of it. If unavailable, see John ‘Coming to America’ Amos.

Graca Machel

She may be a political heavyweight as well as the former and current wife to two of Africa’s most important freedom fighters, but Graca Machel’s most striking Hollywood quality is her role as the revolutionary love interest. For that see Alicia Keys. If unavailable, try Sanaa Lathan or Jada Pinkett Smith.

Miriam Makeba

We wouldn’t be surprised if this has already gone into production but as long as she keeps rocking that short natural, Solange Knowles has got this part in the bag. If unavailable, see Queen Latifah.

Robert Mugabe – the  black man white people love to hate can only be played by Mr Belligerence himself, 50 Cent. If unavailable, try Ice Cube.

Patrice Lumumba

Outspoken, fearless and prodigiously talented: there is only one man who can play this role. Ladies and gentlemen, we give you Kanye West. If unavailable, see Idris Elba.

Brenda Fassie

The Madonna of the townships’ is how Time Magazine once described South Africa’s biggest and most endearingly outrageous female pop star. So we’d need someone as rock and roll as possible. Someone who will convincingly pull off movie lines like ‘Next year I am going to be the Pope. Anything is possible.” That would be Grace Jones then.

Colonel Muammar Gadaffi

The maverick veteran and pimp-like leader of Libya whose intentions continue to mystify the west. We’re thinking especially of the all-important scene where Gadaffi, at a food poverty forum in Italy, orders in 500 beautiful girls for a gala evening, gives them a talk on the Koran and hands them a signed version of his Green Book on democracy and political philosophy.
Terrence Howard, we think, would the slightly sleazy double dealer role best. It’s those eyes. If not, then Michael Ealy from Beyonce’s Halo video.

Maria de Lurdes Mutola

Or Lurdinha as the Mozambican athlete is affectionately known is possibly the finest 800m female runner of all time. Smart money is on Angela Bassett.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

This Liberian ‘iron lady’ served her country and continent in high financial office in the 30 years before she became Africa’s first ever female president. Who better to play her than Oprah, also a grandmotherly figure of significant influence who knows a thing or two about handling business.

Have any other suggestions about what Hollywood actor or actress you would like to see play an African hero? Hit us up.