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Respect Biopic YouTube.png

Jennifer Hudson is Aretha Franklin in the First Teaser for 'Respect'

By Kayleigh Donaldson | Film | December 20, 2019 |

By Kayleigh Donaldson | Film | December 20, 2019 |


Respect Biopic YouTube.png

It’s been over a year since the iconic Aretha Franklin passed away. Given the magnitude of her fame, the impact her music has made over the decades, and her own sheer force of personality, it’s kind of surprising that it’s taken as long as it has to get an Aretha biopic. Well, we don’t have much longer to wait now! The first teaser for Respect dropped and it shows Jennifer Hudson at her belting best in the central role.



Hudson was chosen by Franklin herself for the role. It’s not hard to see why with that voice. Sure, it isn’t directly comparable to Aretha’s in terms of pitch and such but for pure force and impact, it’s all there. That teaser knows what the people want. Hudson will star alongside Forest Whitaker, Audra McDonald, Mary J. Blige, Titus Burgess, and Marlon Wayans. The script for Respect is by Tracey Scott Wilson, a playwright and TV writer who was recently a co-executive producer on Fosse/Verdon. She’s also a long-time collaborator of the film’s director, Tony Award-nominated theater director Liesl Tommy. You may have heard of her brother. He used to show his face around here from time to time before he recently abandoned us. Mega cool family.

I hope to see at least one dramatic fur coat removal scene in this movie.

And now, Aretha.





Header Image Source: YouTube // One Media