Gabrielle Union is making 52 look like the new 20. She might not believe us or SZA but she’s timeless that way. A certain viral image has resurfaced once more this month and made its way to Union’s social circle. Remember when a colored image of Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife, Coretta Scott King was a hot topic online? Social media users couldn’t tell if it was the real deal or the still of a movie. A handful of people were convinced back then that it was Gabrielle Union in a new role. Now SZA is suggesting she make it real but the actress is giving us a reality check.

The rapper brought back the old colored image of the Kings for an informal movie pitch with a recommended casting choice. “I’d like to see a movie of their personal love story. I need [Gabrielle Union] to play young Coretta.” A genius idea by SZA, tbh!

It set off an exchange via Instagram Stories with Gabrielle Union playing it down. “Might be a lil long in the tooth to play young Coretta but this is why I love youuuu.” It’s why we love SZA too. And she makes us love her more with her response.

“Pls u look like a baby… serve us the slay we deserve…” wrote SZA with a few emphatic emojis. Hollywood has got to take note of her ideas.

Gabrielle Union is a fantasy casting choice for unfulfilled biopic

Movies honoring Martin Luther King Jr. are plenty. Even Angela Bassett portrayed Coretta Scott King after her husband’s assassination in 2013’s Betty and Coretta. But there’s a little craving to see a cinematic retelling of their marriage. It showed when an image of the Kings went viral this year.

A photographer named Michael Ochs reportedly a picture of Martin and Coretta King in 1956. The original was black and white. But the one that went viral was in color with Mrs. King wearing a green vintage number. Because of the colorization, social media denizens weren’t sure if it was authentic. They were sure it’s a pair of actors playing both or completely different people. But the original monochromatic version confirms it’s authentically the Kings.

Bernice King, the daughter of MLK and Coretta, posted the colorized image on her social media in July 2024. It went viral from there. Interestingly, fans guessed a few actors who could bring that image to life. Gabrielle Union was one of the dream casting choices for Coretta.

Last month, Union celebrated her husband’s new statue in Miami, her dad’s 80th birthday, then her own 52nd birthday. By most accounts, she made 52 look effortless and youthful.