Jennifer Hudson Belts Out ‘Respect’ in First Teaser for Aretha Franklin Biopic (Video)

In the first teaser for “Respect,” Jennifer Hudson belts Aretha Franklin’s signature song for the new biopic inspired by the late Queen of Soul’s life.

“Respect” is directed by Tony-nominee Liesl Tommy, and the film follows Aretha’s rise as a singer, first in her father’s church choir, to how she eventually attains international superstardom.

Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Marc Maron, Tituss Burgess, Saycon Sengbloh, Hailey Kilgore, Skye Dakota Turner, Tate Donovan and Mary J. Blige all co-star in the film.

Whitaker is playing Franklin’s father and McDonald her mother, while others in the cast are playing music icons, including Blige as Dinah Washington, Headley as Clara Ward, Burgess as Reverend Dr. James Cleveland, Donovan as Columbia Records producer John Hammond, and Maron as Atlantic Records producer Jerry Wexler.

“Respect” is fully sanctioned by Franklin’s estate and will include many of her iconic songs, including “Respect,” “I Say A Little Prayer,” “Think,” “(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman,” “You’ve Got A Friend,” “Dr. Feelgood,” “Do Right Woman, Do Right Man,” “Spanish Harlem” and “Young, Gifted and Black.”

“Respect” is a production of MGM and BRON Creative and will be released domestically via UA Releasing. The film will be distributed internationally via Universal Pictures International. It opens in theaters on Oct. 9, 2020.

Watch the first teaser above.

For the record, a previous version of this article said “Respect” opens in theaters in August. It opens on Oct. 9.

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Extract fromTheWrapMovies, full article at the link.

A random film quote : "I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you are looking for ransom, I can tell you I don't have money. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let my daughter go now, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you." - "Good luck." Taken (2008)

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