The gifted vocalist, the late Aretha Franklin, is receiving her own Hollywood biopic. This stellar performer, who passed away in 2018, is being brought into a new light in the 2020 feature film “Respect.” A new teaser trailer for the production has been released now that a new release date has been given.
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The title of the movie, like many of the titles to recent biopics examining the lives of various musicians, is taken from one of Franklin’s hit songs of the same name. Other songs she is remembered for include “A Natural Woman,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” and “Ain’t No Way.”
Franklin makes for an opportune figure on which to base a movie as her career began to bud during a period in American history marked by social turbulence. She was building up a name for herself in the sixties, a time in which the liberties of African Americans were frowned upon by many people. Out of this atmosphere of discouragement, Aretha Franklin pursued never stopped pursuing the American dream.
Her musical talents led her to become a cultural icon, and she made her way into a few memorable Hollywood movies such as “The Blues Brothers” (1980) in which she plays the owner of Soul Food Cafe.
Now, during moviemakers’ booming intrigue with musician biopics, Franklin is going to get the Hollywood treatment. Hollywood is having a heyday with these types of projects as “Judy,” a movie about actress/singer Judy Garland most recently testifies.
Franklin’s “Respect” biopic brings with it a well-established cast. Jennifer Hudson, well-acquainted with musical performances such as those in “Sing” (2016) and “Cats” (2019), heads off the movie as Aretha. She is joined by Forest Whitaker, here playing minister C.L. Franklin. Whitaker is a legend in the entertainment business and has acted in blockbusters like “Black Panther” (2018) and “Rogue One” (2016).
Other co-stars include Tituss Burgess, Tate Donovan, and Mary J. Blige. “Respect” is directed by Liesl Tommy. Once set for a Augst release, the film is now being pegged for December. Watch the new trailer below.