Jennifer Hudson has taken on the role of a lifetime, portraying the late Aretha Franklin in the first trailer for the upcoming biopic Respect. The iconic singer passed away in 2018 from pancreatic cancer aged 76.
Hudson, 38, who won an Oscar for her first ever movie role in Dreamgirls, may be eyeing Oscar gold once again for her powerful performance in Respect as she shows off her incredible vocal ability.
The film, which follows Aretha’s incredible talents, personal life and political activism, comes from director Liesl Tommy is currently slated for release on Christmas Day, though that may change due to COVID-19.
First trailer: Jennifer Hudson takes on the role of a lifetime, portraying the inimitable Aretha Franklin in the first trailer for the upcoming biopic Respect
Oscar contender?: Hudson, who won an Oscar for her first ever movie role in Dreamgirls, may be eyeing Oscar gold once again for her powerful performance in Respect
The trailer begins with Franklin on stage, belting out lyrics to her iconic song Respect, along with flashback shots of Franklin as a little girl.
Franklin is also seen meeting with one of the most popular black singers of the 1950s, Dinah Washington (Mary J. Blige), as Franklin tells her she’s put out four albums, though Washington notes she’s had, ‘no hits.’
‘Honey, find the songs that move you, until you do that, you ain’t going nowhere,’ Washington tells a dejected Franklin.
Respect: The trailer begins with Franklin on stage, belting out lyrics to her iconic song Respect, along with flashback shots of Franklin as a little girl.
Dinah: Franklin is also seen meeting with one of the most popular black singers of the 1950s, Dinah Washington (Mary J. Blige), as Franklin tells her she’s put out four albums, though Washington notes she’s had, ‘no hits’
There is also a brief shot of Franklin meeting Ted White (Marlon Wayans), who would become her manager and first husband, along with shots of Franklin recording Respect in the studio.
Franklin is also seen meeting influential music producer Jerry Wexler (Marc Maron), who produced other iconic artists like Ray Charles and Led Zeppelin.
‘Aretha, you do talk, don’t you? Not just sing?’ Wexler asks, when the singer responds, ‘I’d like you to call me Miss Franklin.’
Manager: There is also a brief shot of Franklin meeting Ted White (Marlon Wayans), who would become her manager and first husband, along with shots of Franklin recording Respect in the studio
Talk: ‘Aretha, you do talk, don’t you? Not just sing?’ Wexler asks, when the singer responds, ‘I’d like you to call me Miss Franklin’
There are a number of shots of Franklin performing, along with a press conference where Franklin tells reporters, ‘You have got to disturb the peace, when you can’t get no peace.’
Franklin said that very quote after offering to bail out out civil rights activist Angela Davis in 1970, which made headlines.
The trailer ends with more shots of Hudson belting out Franklin’s title tune Respect on stage.
Peace: There are a number of shots of Franklin performing, along with a press conference where Franklin tells reporters, ‘You have got to disturb the peace, when you can’t get no peace’
On stage: The trailer ends with more shots of Hudson belting out Franklin’s title tune Respect on stage
Respect also stars Forest Whitaker as C.L. Franklin, Aretha’s father, Tituss Burgess as Reverend Dr. James Cleveland, known as the King of Gospel music and Tate Donovan as John Hammond, who discovered Aretha when she was an 18-year-old gospel singer.
Liesl Tommmy makes her feature directorial debut with Respect, after directing episodes of Queen Sugar, Insecure and The Walking Dead, working from a script by Tracey Scott Wilson (Fosse/Verdon, The Americans).
Respect is slated to will hit theaters nationwide on December 25.
Cast: Respect also stars Forest Whitaker as C.L. Franklin, Aretha’s father, Tituss Burgess as Reverend Dr. James Cleveland, known as the King of Gospel music and Tate Donovan as John Hammond, who discovered Aretha when she was an 18-year-old gospel singer
In theaters: Respect will hit theaters nationwide on December 25