MGM’s Aretha Franklin biopic is finally getting the respect it deserves. After a years worth of delays due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Respect has received a release date of August 13 only in theaters. The film stars powerhouse singer and actress Jennifer Hudson as Aretha Franklin, Forest Whitaker as C.L. FranklinMarlon Wayans as Ted White, Audra McDonald as Barbara Franklin, Mary J. Blige as Dinah Washington and many more. Respect Release Date Trailer
Respect follows the rise of Aretha Franklin’s career from a child singing in her father’s church’s choir to her international superstardom, Respect is the remarkable true story of the music icon’s journey to find her voice.
“Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, we know her as this legend but there is a story to everyone. Her life had so much depth to it, and it came through the music.” – Jennifer Hudson
Director Liesl Tommy is making her feature film debut with Respect. Tommy is the first Black woman ever nominated for a Tony award for Best Direction of a Play in 2016 for Eclipsed, and is an Associate Artist at the Berkeley Rep and an Artist Trustee with the Sundance Institute’s Board of Trustees. With a story by Callie Khouri (Oscar winner for Writing, Thelma & Louise) andTracey Scott Wilson, and screenplay written by Tracey Scott Wilson. Wilson and Tommy have worked together creatively since the 2009 play The Good Negro written by Wilson, directed by Tommy at The Public Theatre. Wilson was a writer on FX’s The Americans which garnered her a Peabody Award as well as Emmy® and WGA Award nominations.
“My dream for the film — and for Aretha and her legacy — was to create a piece of cinema that feels like a classic you have to see in a movie theater. You have to see it on a big screen because her life was so big it deserved that.” – Liesl Tommy.
Respect is based on a story by Callie Khouri (Oscar winner for Writing, Thelma & Louise) and Tracey Scott Wilson, with a screenplay penned by Tracey Scott Wilson. Wilson and Tommy have worked together creatively since the 2009 play The Good Negro written by Wilson, directed by Tommy at The Public Theatre. Wilson was a writer on FX’s The Americans which garnered her a Peabody Award as well as Emmy and WGA Award nominations.
Also starring in the film are Marc Maron as Jerry Wexler, Tituss Burgess as Reverend Dr. James Cleveland, Kimberly Scott as Mama Franklin, Saycon Sengbloh as Erma Franklin, Hailey Kilgore as Carolyn Franklin, Heather Headley as Clara Ward, Skye Dakota Turner as Young Aretha Franklin, and Tate Donovan as John Hammond.
Keep scrolling for the official poster for the film or scroll to the top to view the official trailer for Respect.
Respect Release Date Trailer
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