MGM has released the first trailer for “Respect” starring the incomparable Jennifer Hudson as the iconic Aretha Franklin. The musician biopic is set to hit theaters this August, will follow Franklin’s journey to find her voice.
“Respect” is a very appropriate title considering that Aretha Franklin is the subject of the biopic. The film is directed by Liesl Tommy makes 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.
It’s a remarkable feet to go from first Black woman ever nominated for a Tony award for Best Directrion of a Play in 2016 for Eclipsed to directing a film starring an actress who is nearly on her way to getting to coveted EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony – Hudson already has a Grammy and Oscar).
With a story by Callie Khouri (Oscar® winner for Writing, Thelma & Louise) and Tracey 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.
Here’s the official plot synopsis for “Respect:”
Following 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.
Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Marc Maron, Tituss Burgess, Kimberly Scott, Saycon Sengbloh, Hailey Kilgore, Heather Headley, Skye Dakota Turner, Tate Donovan and Mary J. Blige also star.
“Respect” opens in theaters on August 13, 2021.
