Studios have been re-arranging their release schedules due to the coronavirus pandemic and now MGM is doing the same for their Aretha Franklin biopic starring Jennifer Hudson.
It has been announced that Respect will be moving from its October 9 date to a Christmas debut in time for awards season. This may be one the shift lately that has nothing to do with the pandemic and more to do with the early buzz the film has generated. The movie wrapped shooting in November and the studio is reportedly very pleased. Respect will be released domestically via United Artists for a limited December 25 release, followed by an expansion on January 8 before going wide January 15.
The biopic will follow the rise of Aretha Franklin’s career from a child singing in her father’s church’s choir to her international superstardom. The film is the remarkable true story of the music icon’s journey to finding her voice. Marking the first authorized feature film based on Franklin’s life, the movie is directed by Tony-nominee Liesl Tommy and written for the screen by Emmy-nominee Tracey Scott Wilson.
Hudson, who was personally hand-picked by Franklin to play her in the film, is joined by Forest Whitaker as Reverand C.L. Franklin, Marlon Wayans as Ted White, Audra McDonald as Barbara Siggers Franklin, Mary J. Blige as Dinah Washington, Marc Maron as Jerry Wexler, Tituss Burgess as James Cleveland, Saycon Sengbloh as Erma Franklin, Hailey Kilgore as Carolyn Franklin, Tate Donovan as John Hammond, and Skye Dakota Turner.
