Jennifer Hudson Stars As The Queen Of Soul In, ‘Respect’ Biopic

The highly anticipated biopic about the Queen of Soul is headed to theaters next year, with an all-star cast. The MGM film, Respect, is being directed by Tony Award winning Liesl Tommy, who is over the moon with the project and ecstatic about the A-list of celebs who signed on to do the biopic. Bringing the life of Aretha Franklin to the big screen, Liesl told the Hollywood Reporter,

"I am thrilled with the incredibly talented cast we have assembled for our film, and I’m so proud that Ms. Franklin entrusted us to tell her story and to share it with the world. As a storyteller, hers is the kind of story we all dream of telling. Her music has inspired me since I was a little girl, and the milestones of her life and career have shown us all how to strive and thrive. To have this powerhouse group of actors — and the phenomenal talent of Jennifer Hudson in this iconic role — means we have the chance of making this film as transcendent as her glorious life and legacy."

The phenomenal cast includes the likes of Jennifer Hudson as Aretha Franklin, Forest Whitaker as the Queens father C.L. Franklin, Marlon Wayans as her first husband Ted White, Mary J. Blige as Dinah Washington, Heather Headley as Clara Ward,   Tituss Burgess as Reverend Dr. James Cleveland , Broadway stars Hailey Kilgore and Saycon Sengbloh, Marc Maron, Tate Donavan, as well as newcomer Skye Dakota Turner.

It's going to be spectacular! Music will be produced by Straight Outta Compton,Tradecrafts' Scott Bernstein and music producer Harvey Mason Jr., whose worked with both Franklin and Hudson. Look for Respect in theaters August 14, 2019.

The film will feature classics like or course "Respect," and "I Say a Little Prayer," "Think," "(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman," "Ain’t No Way," "Precious Lord,"  "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man," "You’ve Got a Friend," "Dr. Feelgood," "Spanish Harlem" and "Young, Gifted and Black" and more.