BEYONCE KNOWLES - BEYONCE TO PLAY SINGING LEGEND

BEYONCE KNOWLES has signed up to star as jazz legend ETTA JAMES in CADILLAC RECORDS.

The former DESTINY'S CHILD singer will join ADRIEN BRODY and JEFFREY WRIGHT in Darnell Martin's film.

CADILLAC RECORDS follows the development of the 1950s Chicago music scene and the founding of Chess Records- which launched the careers of MUDDY WATERS and ETTA JAMES, whose hits included AT LAST and I JUST WANT TO MAKE LOVE TO YOU.

An insider revealed to the News of the World: "Beyonce is a massive fan of the superb Etta. She’s honoured to play her."

The BOOTYLICIOUS singer has had several forays onto the silver screen- most notably in DREAMGIRLS and the third instalment of the AUSTIN POWERS franchise.

The movie is being filmed in New Jersey and Mississippi and will be released in late 2008.

Meanwhile, BEYONCE is preparing for a performance at this year's Grammy Awards after being given the go-ahead by the striking Hollywood writers.

At the event, the CRAZY IN LOVE singer will duet with TINA TURNER