AceShowbiz - Aretha Franklin is refusing to give up on her dream of seeing Halle Berry tell her life story on the big screen - the legendary performer insists the actress can lip-sync if she doesn't want to sing in the biopic. The soul star is working with movie bosses to adapt her autobiography "Aretha: From These Roots" into a film, and she's named Berry as her favorite to star.

The Oscar-winner recently admitted she wouldn't feel comfortable taking on a role in a musical picture, saying, "If I could carry a tune, I'd consider it. Someone should tell Aretha that I can't do her justice." But Franklin is determined to get Berry to sign up and she is urging the actress not to dismiss the part.

In a statement read out on the Wendy Williams Show, Franklin says, "She shouldn't underestimate her own talent... I never expected Halle to sing. She's an actress, not a singer. Many actors have portrayed vocalists by lip-syncing to the artist's original recordings."