HBO Films Queen Latifah ‘Bessie’ Smith Biopic Debuts May 16: Michael Kenneth Williams, Khandi Alexander, Tory Kittles, Oliver Platt, Mike Epps Star in New “Empress of the Blues” Movie

Queen Latifah is heading back to the big screen. The Oscar nomine is gearing up for the debut of her HBO Films biopic of "Empress of the Blues" Bessie Smith in a movie appropriately titled BESSIE, which will be air on HBO this coming Saturday, May 16 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Alongside the rapper stars the likes of Oliver Platt, comedian Mike Epps, Michael Kenneth Williams, Khandi Alexander, Tory Kittles, and many more, all of which round out an A-list cast to tell the tale of Smith's "transformation from a struggling young singer into 'The Empress of the Blues," according to a release from the network.

While holding an impressive list of celebs in front of the camera, the behind-the-scenes team is nothing short of notable. Dee Rees not only directed the film, but she also wrote the film with both Christopher Cleveland and Bettina Giolois. The script was adapted by Rees and Horton Foote.

With Latifah in the title role, Michael Kenneth Williams plays Smith's husband, Jack Gee, with Alexander nabbing the role of her older sister, Viola. Kittles portrays the older brother and Epps brings his abilities to the role of a love interest. Will he be funny? Yeah, most likely...

So, who is excited? Well, we know Queen Latifah is. At least, it appears that way based on a recent Twitter post:

Proud to announce the official premiere date for #Bessie is May 16th at 8pm on @HBO Can't wait for you to see it! pic.twitter.com/psSuXTdT7y

— Queen Latifah (@IAMQUEENLATIFAH) February 24, 2015

Bessie premieres on HBO on May 16 at 8 p.m. Mark your calendars, folks. For more information, head on over to HBO or get updates over on their Twitter account.