Not content to croon out “Memory” in Cats this weekend, Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson has enchanted the internet with the teaser for her next movie: the Aretha Franklin biopic Respect.
Related: Jennifer Hudson Goes All Night With Drag Queens!
The film, which also stars Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Mary J. Blige, Marc Maron, Tate Donovan and Tituss Burgess, follows Franklin’s rise from a church singer to, well, being Aretha Franklin, international superstar. Singer Marianne Faithful once said Franklin had “the voice of God.” Beyonce Knowles has called Franklin her greatest inspiration.
Hudson was handpicked for the role by Franklin herself prior to her death in 2018. Respect, directed by South African director Liesl Tommy in her feature film debut, hits theatres August 14, 2020.
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boymikefl
Sounds like J Hud singing Respect, not Aretha. Acting, no. Singing, yes.
G-Man
I would have to agree with you, if you’re doing a biopic about someone at least try to sound like the person your emulating.
Itsonlythetruth
Obviously Aretha was happy to have her in the part since she hand picked her.
Jack Meoff
I couldn’t stand her in Dreamgirls so I can’t see this being any better.
Itsonlythetruth
Meow, pull your claws in.
andrewl
In my opinion, Jennifer Hudson has an extraordinary voice and I am looking forward to hearing her belt out Aretha’s songs. She will do Aretha proud.
jcoberkrom
Aretha choose her.
Oranos
Hudson’s singing could never truly sound like Aretha: Aretha sang from the chest, and Hudson sings a bit higher (at least in this trailer).
Also, wasn’t it Grace Slick who said, “She sings with such authority. She opens her mouth and out comes the voice of GOD!”? (As a matter of FACT, yes, it was Slick who said that, in the documentary “The Top 100 Female Singers of All Time.” ) It was on tv back in 1993.
The thing I didn’t like about the trailer is that Hudson displays too many mannerisms that are not Aretha: Aretha just sang. She didn’t wave her arms around as Hudson does in this trailer. Aretha also rarely paused at the end of a phrase: she plunged into the next phrase with no “silences” in between measures, as nearly EVERY pop singer does nowadays. But if Aretha gave Jennifer Hudson her blessing, who am I to second-guess her? Aretha’s word was the FINAL word on this. I just hope it does her justice.
Sister Bertha Bedderthanyu
I thought she was the wrong choice for the Grammy salute to Whitney Houston when she sang “I Will Always Love You”. Her voice couldn’t quite make it that high. She was perfect for ol’ Motor Mouth Mabel in Hairspray but Aretha? Sorry producers but you made the wrong choice.
Terrycloth
I don’t care for singers who have to bring every song to church .over sing every ounce of energy the song had..no thanks..Jennifer…christina ,Patti, Aretha , Arianna…..sing the damn song without the vocal theatrics and the million runs ….