An Aretha Franklin biopic is coming in 2020. Not just that, but Jennifer Hudson will be playing the “Queen of Soul” in this cinematic adaptation of the legendary singer.
Ever since winning an Oscar statuette for her film debut “Dreamgirls,” Hudson has been stuck in a rut, having appeared in mostly inconsequential films including “Sandy Wexler,” and “The Three Stooges.” However, “Respect” has Hudson going back to her roots: song. The former American Idol contestant has one hell of a voice and it looks as though she will be actually singing the songs on “Respect” (unlike Rami Malek in “Bohemian Rhapsody”) with the filmmakers likely not using Aretha’s dubbed voice. Music to my ears, if you ask me as Hudson can most definitely hold her own with Aretha (vocally speaking).
Rookie film director Liesl Tommy will be helming the project, which was written by Tracey Scott Wilson. Tommy is a peculiar choice to direct as she has only directed TV for the screen (“Mrs. Fletcher,” “Jessica Jones”) but does have a directing Tony to her name. The newly-released trailer seems to hint at a familiar and conventional telling of the Queen of Soul’s life, there doesn’t seem to be any sort of wow-factor here, except, for, of course, Hudson’s Oscar-buzzed performance.
“Respect” is set to be released in December of 2020.
The film stars Guy Pearce as Rupert Murdoch and O’Connell as Larry Lamb, portraying the 1969 launch of the sensationalized The Sun and its lasting impact on journalism.