The Secret Life of Bees is one bee movie which will boast A-list stars. An adaptation of the best-selling book, the story is a coming-of-age tale which focuses on two friends. Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson, and Sophie Okonedo are already signed up, while negotiations with Dakota Fanning and Alicia Keys are just on the verge of being wrapped up.

Set in the 1960s American south, The Secret Life of Bees is about teen Lily Owens (the role undoubtedly going to Fanning) and her pal Rosaleen (Hudson). The pair leave their homes on a quest to discover the truth about Lily’s deceased mother. While in South Carolina, the two meet three sisters who keep bees (Latifah, Okonedo and Keys). Since the script was completed pre-strike, this is one movie project that may not be quickly canceled.

Right now, Fox Searchlight plans to release the flick in 2008.