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'Respect': Release date, plot, cast, trailer and all you need to know about Aretha Franklin biopic starring Jennifer Hudson

Directed by Liesl Tommy, the film actively involved Franklin herself until her death in August 2018

Almost as if making up for the Covid-19 delay that National Geographic biopic 'Genius: Aretha' starring Cynthia Erivo suffered, the Queen of Soul's official biopic that she herself was a part of is finally set to make its theatrical debut. The wait is going to be long and right in time for Christmas. Appearing as the legendary singer in the film will be none other than Jennifer Hudson who's already garnered quite the praise for the trailer, where she belts out 'Respect', one of Franklin's most iconic songs that the film is also titled after. Here's all you need to know about it.

Release date

Originally scheduled to release in August, 'Respect' was pushed due to the coronavirus lockdown. It will now have a limited release in the US on December 25, 2020, with a worldwide theatrical release on January 15, 2021.

Plot

Based on the life of the Queen of Soul, 'Respect' follows Aretha Franklin from the time she used to sing in her father's church choir as a child, and how she grew up to become an international musical superstar and legend.

Cast

Hudson plays the role of Franklin and has pretty much stumped everyone with just snippets of her performance as visible from the trailer itself. Joining her in the cast will be some of the industry's finest like Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Queen Latifah, Mary J Blige, Marc Maron, Tate Donovan, Tituss Burgess and newcomer Sky Dakota Turner.

Creator

Directed by Liesl Tommy, the film actively involved Franklin herself until her death on August 16, 2018. The legend, who died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 76, was a winner of a total of 18 Grammy Awards, with a total of 44 nominations throughout her illustrious career. Tommy is a South African-born American stage film director.

Trailer

The new trailer for 'Respect' just dropped and Hudson isn't shying away from demanding all the respect both she and Franklin deserve. Belting out some serious focus in front of a neon green sign spelling out the song's name, Hudson is both vulnerable and compelling at the same time. Give it a look here:

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