R&B diva Whitney Houston is reportedly close to landing a role in the upcoming remake of "Sparkle," which will also star up-and-coming R&B star Jordin Sparks.  While Houston has not officially been named as part of the cast, sources close to the matter say it's a near-certainty she will be cast.  It will be Houston's first acting role since she appeared in the 1996 film "The Preacherr's Wife."

The oroginal "Sparkle" was released in 1976.  The film was inspired by the story of the Supremes, and follows the path of three sisters who begin their career singing in the church choir in Harlem during the 1950s and go on to huge commercial success.