Aretha Franklin herself picked Jennifer Hudson to portray her in a biopic about her incredible life called Respect, and it's no small role! Now, we get to see Hudson stepping into the Queen of Soul's shoes for the very first time in the film's first trailer. The long-awaited film follows Franklin’s life from her early years singing in her father’s church to becoming one of the most legendary musicians of all time – receiving 18 Grammy Awards and 44 nominations during her prolific career.
The teaser trailer features cuts of Hudson performing an explosive rendition of the film’s title track, being bombarded with advice and learning to defend herself with a signature elegance, famously telling music exec, Jerry Wexler (played by Marc Maron) to call her “Ms Franklin” – all in 75 action-packed seconds. Watch below.
RESPECT | Official Teaser Trailer [Universal Pictures]
Respect is directed by Tony-nominated Liesl Tommy and in addition to Hudson, it stars Marlon Wayans (as her first husband), Audra McDonald (as her mother), Forest Whitaker, Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige and Marc Maron. Franklin, who died of pancreatic cancer at the age 76, worked closely with the film’s production up until her death in 2018.
The is scheduled for a limited run in U.S, theatres starting Christmas Day, with a full wide release to follow in early 2021.
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