Jennifer Hudson and full cast revealed for Aretha Franklin biopic, Respect

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

"I sing to the realists; people who accept it like it is."

Metro Goldwyn Mayer announced today an award-winning ensemble cast for RESPECT, the remarkable true story of Aretha Franklin’s journey to find her voice. Leading the cast as the legendary songstress herself is Academy-Award-winning actress Jennifer Hudson, who'd been hand-picked by Franklin to play her in the upcoming film. Joining Hudson to help round out the cast are Academy Award, Golden Globe and Emmy-winner Forest Whitaker; Marlon Wayans; Tony, Grammy and Emmy-winner Audra McDonald; Multiple Grammy winning, and Academy Award and Golden Globe-nominee Mary J. Blige; Marc Maron; Emmy-nominee Tituss Burgess; Tony-nominee Saycon Sengbloh; Tony-nominee Hailey Kilgore, Tate Donovan, and Skye Dakota Turner.

Directed by Tony-nominee Liesl Tommy (Broadway's Eclipsed) and written by Emmy-nominee Tracey Scott Wilson (THE AMERICANS, FOSSE / VERDON), RESPECT follows the rise of Franklin’s career from a child singing in her father’s church’s choir to her international superstardom.

Recently while speaking about what an honor it is to be helming the first authorized feature film based on Franklin's life, Tommy said:

“I am thrilled with the incredibly talented cast we have assembled for our film, and I’m so proud that Ms. Franklin entrusted us to tell her story and to share it with the world. As a storyteller, hers is the kind of story we all dream of telling. Her music has inspired me since I was a little girl, and the milestones of her life and career have shown us all how to strive and thrive. To have this powerhouse group of actors – and the phenomenal talent of Jennifer Hudson in this iconic role – means we have the chance of making this film as transcendent as her glorious life and legacy."

Producing RESPECT are Scott Berstein (STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON) and multiple Grammy nominated producer Harvey Mason Jr. (DREAMGIRLS), who in the past has produced music for both Aretha Franklin and Jennifer Hudson.

As part of a joint statement, both Berstein and Mason Jr. expressed their excitement for participating in the making of the upcoming biopic:

“We were given the rare privilege to work with Ms. Franklin directly to curate the stories she most wanted to share and the moments in her life that made her who she was. Over the years, she imparted to us how important it was to her that we share her story on the big screen and how important it was to have Jennifer in this role. To have that kind of deeply personal trust and insight from Ms. Franklin was nothing short of amazing for everyone involved.”

Naturally, RESPECT will feature iconic bangers heard throughout Franklin's fabled career: Respect; I Say A Little Prayer; Think; (You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman; You’ve Got A Friend; Dr. Feelgood; Do Right Woman, Do Right Man; Spanish Harlem; and Young, Gifted and Black. The film will also feature Ain’t No Way; Precious Lord; There’s A Fountain Filled With Blood; Amazing Grace; and Chain of Fools.

With regard to casting assignments, you can find the full roster of stars and their respective roles below. All descriptions are courtesy of MGM's press release for RESPECT:

Forest Whitaker (Godfather of Harlem) stars as Reverend CL Franklin. Known as the man with the "Million-Dollar Voice," Franklin served as the pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan. Franklin was also the father of the American singer and songwriter Aretha Franklin and her manager early on in her career. Academy Award, Golden Globe and Emmy-Winner Whitaker is repped by WME and Brillstein Entertainment Partners.

Marlon Wayans (On the Rocks, highly successful Sextuplets, Marlon), stars as Ted White, Aretha’s first husband. He is repped by 3 Arts Entertainment, WME and Lawrence Kopeikin and Kevin Yorn of Morris Yorn.

Audra McDonald—the winner of a record-breaking six Tony Awards, two Grammy Awards, and an Emmy—stars as Barbara Franklin, Aretha’s mother. McDonald is represented by WME.

Saycon Sengbloh (Broadway’s Eclipsed, CW’s In the Dark, ABC’s Scandal) stars as Erma Franklin, Aretha’s eldest sister. Stewart Talent and Impression Entertainment rep the Tony-nominee.

Hailey Kilgore (Broadway’s Once on This Island, NBC’s The Village, Amblin/Apple’s Amazing Stories) stars as Carolyn Franklin, Aretha’s sister. She is repped by Abrams Artists Agency, One Entertainment and Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner & Klein.

After a worldwide casting search, the role of young Aretha Franklin will be played by Skye Dakota Turner (Broadway’s Young Anna Mae in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical).

Music legends will be played by:

Mary J. Blige (Mudbound) stars as famed recording artist Dinah Washington. APA reps the multiple Grammy winning, and Academy Award and Golden Globe-nominated artist.

Heather Headley (Broadway’s Aida) will play Clara Ward, the famed gospel artist and leader of The Famous Ward Sisters. CAA reps the Tony and Grammy-winner.

Tituss Burgess (Dolemite Is My Name, Unbreakable KimmySchmidt) stars as Reverend Dr. James Cleveland, who was known as the “King of Gospel.” CAA and Soffer / Namoff Entertainment rep the Emmy-nominee.

Marc Maron (Joker, GLOW, Sword of Trust) stars as legendary Atlantic Records music producer Jerry Wexler. He is repped by ICM Partners, Avalon Management and Granderson Des Rochers.

Tate Donovan (Rocketman) stars as John Hammond, Columbia Records’ influential music producer. He is repped by Gersh and Authentic Talent and Literary Management.

Throughout her exceptional career, Franklin acted as a force of nature both on and off the stage. She was also the Queen of the Billboard charts with over 100 singles, including 17 Top 10 pop singles and 20 No. 1 R&B hits, and 18 Grammy Awards. She was also the first female to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. So yeah, Aretha was sort of a big deal.

Her cultural impact continues to be felt throughout the ages, and will undoubtedly reign supreme long after her 2018 passing from a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor.

Cameras are expected to roll on RESPECT this November 1st, with plans to let the film shine in theaters on August 14, 2020.