You don't mess with the Queen of Soul.
Following the Thursday, August 16th death of Aretha Franklin (the undisputed Queen of Soul), some of us took it harder than others.
Forty-four-year-old Michael Jermell Hatton was one of them.
At a Virginia barbershop, shortly after news of Franklin's death had become public, Hatton became engaged in a heated dispute as to whether or not Halle Berry should be (justly) cast as Aretha Franklin in a hypothetical movie regarding the star's career.
According to reports, the other man at the barbershop disagreed and, after turning physical, Hatton eventually discharged a firearm during the fight, WTKR reports.
WTKR continued:
News 3’s Rachael Cardin spoke to a witness who said he heard the two people in a local barbershop arguing over whether or not Halle Berry played or would play Aretha Franklin in a movie.
Police said the fight turned physical and then one of the subjects, identified as 44-year-old Michael Jermell Hatton, produced a firearm, shooting the other man at least once outside the shop.
Both men got emergency medical assessment and treatment by Suffolk Fire & Rescue personnel before being transported to local hospitals for further treatment.
Franklin had previously wanted Berry to play her in an upcoming biopic, but Berry claimed she couldn’t sing and wouldn’t do the role justice, according to E News. Instead, Jennifer Hudson was tapped to play the Queen of Soul in the film.
Do you think Halle Berry (or, apparently, Jennifer Hudson) should be cast as Aretha Frankin in an upcoming biopic based on her life? Who would you cast instead? Let us know in the comments below. And please -- keep it civil!
