I thought it was an awful idea but after reading the book it's not so far fetched. Check out the names of the characters and I thought Lee Daniels The Paperboy was really good at capturing a deep south feel. The story of mother and daughter is Universal. Curious to see casting Choices and final result.

A godawful idea. What are Paramount thinking?

This could be an even worse remake idea than Ghostbusters.
Aside from classic performances,the original, based on the classic novel, is very much a story of a certain place and time: Houston during its oil boom and NASA glory of the 70s/80s.
If this is going to be a period piece, then maybe okay. But setting it in 2017 would remove much of the meaning. And, if it were a period piece, would it even be realistic to cast Oprah as a wealthy matriarch who lives in Houston's exclusive River Oaks neighborhood in the early 80s? It was a neighborhood where Muhammad Ali tried to buy a mansion in the 70s, but ultimately didn't because of the controversy it caused.
And, as a general rule, don't remake movies that won Best Picture.