Respect (2021 American film)
Respect | |
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![]() Teaser poster with original release date | |
Directed by | Liesl Tommy |
Screenplay by | Tracey Scott Wilson |
Story by |
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Produced by |
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Starring | |
Cinematography | Kramer Morgenthau |
Edited by | Avril Beukes |
Production companies |
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Distributed by | United Artists Releasing |
Release date |
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Country | United States |
Language | English |
Respect is an upcoming American biographical drama film based on the life of singer Aretha Franklin. Directed by Liesl Tommy from a screenplay by Tracey Scott Wilson, it stars Jennifer Hudson in the leading role, with Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Marc Maron, Queen Latifah, Tituss Burgess, Saycon Sengbloh, Hailey Kilgore, Skye Dakota Turner, Tate Donovan, and Mary J. Blige also starring.
The film is scheduled to be released in the United States on January 15, 2021.
Cast
- Jennifer Hudson as Aretha Franklin
- Skye Dakota Turner as young Aretha Franklin
- Forest Whitaker as C. L. Franklin
- Marlon Wayans as Ted White
- Audra McDonald as Barbara Siggers Franklin
- Marc Maron as Jerry Wexler
- Queen Latifah as Mahalia Jackson
- Tituss Burgess as James Cleveland
- Saycon Sengbloh as Erma Franklin
- Hailey Kilgore as Carolyn Franklin
- Tate Donovan as John Hammond
- Mary J. Blige as Dinah Washington
- Heather Headley as Clara Ward
- Kimberly Scott as Mama Franklin
- Lodric D. Collins as Smokey Robinson
Production
The project had been long in development, with Jennifer Hudson set to play Aretha Franklin. Franklin herself was involved with the development up until her death on August 16, 2018.[1] In January 2019, Liesl Tommy was set to direct the film.[2] The rest of the cast was added in October 2019, including Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald and Mary J. Blige.[3]
In a June 2019 slate deal, MGM added Bron Creative as a co-financing and producing company to this film.[4] Filming began in Atlanta, Georgia on September 2, 2019,[5] and wrapped on February 15, 2020.[6] Jonathan Glickman, MGM's President of the Motion Picture Group, exited the company on February 1, 2020, with a first look deal starting with the film.[7]
Release
Respect is scheduled to be theatrically released in the United States on January 15, 2021.[8] It was originally scheduled to begin a limited release on December 25, 2020, followed by an expansion on January 8, 2021 before going wide the following week due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[9] Previous release dates also included August 14 and October 9, 2020.[10]
References
- ^ Chris Willman (2018-08-17). "Aretha's Films: Whither Her Jennifer Hudson Biopic, 'Amazing Grace'?". Variety. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
- ^ McNary, Dave (2019-01-10). "Aretha Franklin Biopic 'Respect' Taps Director". Variety. Retrieved 2020-03-05.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2019-10-18). "'Respect': MGM Aretha Franklin Biopic Casts Forest Whitaker; Marlon Wayans, Mary J. Blige & More". Deadline. Retrieved 2020-03-05.
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: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Moreau, Jordan (June 6, 2019). "MGM and Bron Creative Enter $100 Million Co-Financing Deal". Variety. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
- ^ Ho, Rodney (September 10, 2019). "Aretha Franklin biopic 'Respect' starring Jennifer Hudson shooting in Georgia". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 2020-03-05.
- ^ Bennett, Anita (2020-02-15). "Jennifer Hudson Wraps Production On Aretha Franklin Biopic 'Respect'". Deadline. Retrieved 2020-03-05.
- ^ Lang, Brent; Kroll, Justin (January 3, 2020). "Michael De Luca to Replace Jonathan Glickman at MGM". Variety. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 22, 2020). "Aretha Franklin Biopic 'Respect' Going Wide Over MLK Weekend Instead Of Christmas Platform Release". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2020-03-26). "Aretha Franklin Biopic 'Respect' Heads To Christmas For Awards Season Rollout". Deadline. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
- ^ Evans, Greg (2019-12-20). "Jennifer Hudson Demands R-E-S-P-E-C-T In First-Look Aretha Franklin Biopic Footage". Deadline. Retrieved 2020-03-26.