Aretha Franklin Biopic ‘Respect’ Gets Theatrical Poster

On February 4, Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures (MGM) released a poster for the upcoming Aretha Franklin biopic, Respect. The film stars Jennifer Hudson as the ‘Queen of Soul.’

The poster comes after MGM released the film’s first trailer back on June 28, 2020. The release of the theatrical poster features a headshot of Hudson in a mint green outfit against a background of the same color.

Callie Khouri (Thelma and Louise) will write the film’s screenplay and Liesl Tommy will direct. Scott Bernstein and Franklin-collaborator Harvey Mason, Jr. will produce.

While Franklin died on August 16, 2018, she had already handpicked Hudson to play her in the upcoming film. At Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy party in January 2018, he announced the film and Hudson’s casting, claiming she was Franklin’s choice.

Can’t wait to see Jennifer Hudson in #Respect. https://t.co/iWgy6DOw9c

— Nicole (@snpatrick) January 31, 2021

I don’t know why but @ArethaFranklin #AintNoWay way on my heart today and baby I am so ready for @IAMJHUD to fuel my soul with her recreation of the #Queenofsoul in #RESPECT pic.twitter.com/Ql2GWe9yF1

— Danie (@alleyezondanie) January 28, 2021

Respect will depict Franklin’s life as a child prodigy in Detroit to her status as a musical icon and legend. Tommy said her life is “one of the great American stories.”

“As a filmmaker, there is no greater gift than to be able to bring this transcendent chronicle of a woman’s fight for self-realization to visual life with the enormous talents of the soulful Jennifer Hudson, Callie Khouri, and our incredible producers,” said Tommy.

Hudson became a household name when she competed on American Idol.  She later went on to make her film debut as Effie White in the 2006 movie musical Dreamgirls, for which she won an Academy Award, Golden Globe, British Academy Film Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award for her performance. She has also won two Grammy Awards.

The film also stars Forest Whitaker, Audra McDonald, Saycon Sengbloh, Hailey Kilgore, Marlon Wayans, Marc Maron, Tituss Burgess, Kimberly Scott, and Tate Donovan.

Fans can expect to see Respect in theaters on August 13.