D Films has snagged the Canadian rights to the biopic Winnie, a South Africa/Canada copro starring Jennifer Hudson as the controversial ex-wife of Nelson Mandela.

The deal was negotiated by D Films’ president Jim Sherry and Michael Mosca of Equinoxe Films (Mambo Italiano), who is producing alongside André Pieterse of Ma-Afrika Films. The distributor is planning to release Winnie in 2011.

Production is set for May 31 in locations including Cape Town, Johannesburg and Robben Island, where Mandela was held prisoner for 18 years.

Terrence Howard (Hustle & Flow) will star as Mandela opposite Hudson (Dreamgirls) in a story that chronicles Winnie Mandela’s personal and often-controversial political life. South African filmmaker Darrell Roodt (Cry the Beloved Country) will direct.

‘It’s exciting to be involved in a project with such a talented filmmaker and production team and the stellar cast they have attracted,’ commented Sherry in a release.

D Films’ other upcoming releases include the thriller Tehroun, family film Sophie and action drama A Million Colours.