LOS ANGELES, Calif. --

Jennifer Hudson has signed on for her third film since winning an Oscar for playing Effie White in 2006’s “Dreamgirls.”

Hudson will star alongside Queen Latifah and Sophie Okonedo in “The Secret Life of Bees,” based on a novel by Sue Monk Kidd, Variety reports.

The story concerns a teenage runaway who is taken in by three sisters who keep bees. Dakota Fanning is in talks to take on the lead role and Alicia Keys is in the running for another part in the film, according to Variety.

Hudson’s latest film choice is just another smart move on behalf of the one-time “American Idol” contender according to Jeremy Blacklow, Managing Editor of AccessHollywood.com.

“It could have been so easy for Jennifer Hudson to squander the momentum she had coming out of her Oscar win for ‘Dreamgirls’ — it’s a story we’ve seen a million times with breakout stars. But clearly, she has smart managers who are making great choices for her,” Blacklow said. “This latest move, joining ‘The Secret Life of Bees’ alongside top cred actresses like Latifah & Okonedo, sounds like yet another genius casting for her.”

Since winning the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2007, Hudson’s film choices have been put her alongside some very celebrated casts.

Hudson’s first post-“Dreamgirls” role, as Kathy Hammet in the 2008-due “Winged Creatures,” put her in the prestigious company of Fanning, fellow Oscar winner Forest Whitaker, and 2007 Oscar nominee Jackie Earle Haley (“Little Children“).

Her second project, though unlikely to win any Oscars, was a dream role in itself. Hudson, herself a muse for Vogue’s Andre Leon Talley, plays the assistant of sex columnist and fashionista, Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker).

The move, Blacklow said, is a good one.

“J-Hud’s the only newcomer to the ‘Sex and The City’ movie and so she’s the sole new actor joining a franchise that has a built-in fan base and industry cred. It’s a no-lose proposition casting move for her,” Blacklow added. “We’ve all seen the leaked stills from the set — she’s going to be perfect fashion icon complement to Sarah Jessica Parker.”

Fans first got to know Hudson on Season 3 of “American Idol,” and she is finally returning to her love of singing. Access Hollywood has learned Hudson is currently in the studio recording her debut album for a 2008 release.

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