Advertisement

Jennifer Hudson shines as Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin in new Respect trailer

The first trailer for the upcoming Aretha Franklin biopic Respect has been released, with Jennifer Hudson stepping into the role as the legendary Queen of Soul.

As well as footage from the movie, the teaser clip features Hudson showing off her incredible voice as she performs the title song on stage, which is often considered one of the great feminist anthems.

The trailer then sees Franklin mid-way through her career as she searches for songs that "move her", with the singer looking for her first big hit after four album that have bought only moderate success.

The likes of Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige and Tituss Burgess also star in the film, with the clip showing Franklin working alongside them in the studios and as she negotiates with executives.

Hudson also gives an impassioned speech in the clip, saying: “You have to disturb the peace, or you can’t get no peace.”

The film follows Franklin's incredible career from her first forays into performing, to becoming one of the most influential soul singers of all time. The official synopsis reads: "Aretha Franklin sings in her father's church choir as a child and grows up to become an international musical superstar and legend."

The titan of American music managed to produce her most memorable songs in a fervent period of just three years.

Respect is directed by Liesl Tommy, who has previously helmed episodes of Jessica Jones and the Walking Dead. The filmmakers worked collaboratively with Franklin herself on the movie until her death in 2018.

Respect is now set for a limited run in the US on Christmas Day, before receiving a wider release across the world on January 15.

Read more

Films still to come in 2020, from Tenet to Mulan