Dreamgirls star Beyonce Knowles will play blues singer Etta James in Cadillac Records, a 1950s period flick about the founder of Chicago's Chess Records and his lineup of stars.

Beyonce will join a stellar cast that includes Adrien Brody. Beyonce is also serving as an executive producer on the film, which will be directed by And Their Eyes Were Watching God director Darnell Martin.