The first teaser trailer for the Aretha Franklin biopic, Respect, is here! A short teaser debuted last year. The film stars Jennifer Hudson as the legendary Queen of Soul.
Originally set to come out earlier, it now has a Christmas Day release date. The film is expected to be an awards season player and given the current Hollywood shutdown, a Christmas release isn’t that surprising as the calendar shifts.
As the very first authorized feature film based on Franklin’s life, it will be directed by Liesl Tommy and is written by Tracey Scott Wilson.
Respect‘s all-star cast also includes Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Mary J. Blige, Marc Maron, Tituss Burgess, Saycon Sengbloh, Hailey Kilgore, Heather Headley, Tate Donovan and Skye Dakota Turner. Hudson was handpicked to star by Franklin before her death.
Whitaker stars as Reverend C.L. Franklin. Known as the man with the “Million-Dollar Voice,” Franklin served as the pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan. Franklin was also the father of the American singer and songwriter Aretha Franklin and her manager early in her career. Wayans stars as Ted White, Aretha’s first husband. McDonald stars as Barbara Franklin, Aretha’s mother. Sengbloh stars as Erma Franklin, Aretha’s eldest sister. Kilgore stars as Carolyn Franklin, Aretha’s younger sister. Picked from a nationwide search, young Aretha Franklin will be played by Turner. Blige stars as famed recording artist Dinah Washington. Headley will play Clara Ward, the famed gospel artist and leader of The Famous Ward Singers. Burgess stars as Reverend Dr. James Cleveland, who was known as the “King of Gospel.” Maron stars as legendary Atlantic Records music producer Jerry Wexler. Donovan stars as John Hammond, Columbia Records’ influential music producer.
The songs that will be exclusively featured in the film include 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. The film will also feature Ain’t No Way; Precious Lord; There’s A Fountain Filled With Blood; Amazing Grace; and Chain of Fools.
Watch the trailer below:
READ MORE:
WATCH: Jennifer Hudson Is Aretha Franklin In First Footage From ‘Respect’ Biopic
‘Respect’: Liesel Tommy To Direct Jennifer Hudson In Upcoming Aretha Franklin Biopic
Photo: MGM
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