Aretha Frankin is a legend, not just for her music, but for who she was as a person. The long-awaited biopic about the late singer’s life is releasing in limited theaters on December 25 and everywhere on January 15, 2021. Jennifer Hudson (Oscar Winner for Dreamgirls) was personally handpicked by Franklin to play her prior to her death in 2018. The film will focus on the life of R&B singer Aretha Franklin and the career that made her such an icon.

The supporting cast will include Forest Whitaker, Audra McDonald, Marlon Waylans, Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, Heather Headley, Marc Maron, Tate Donovan and Tituss Burgess. The film is be directed by South-African born American Stage director Liesl Tommy. The script is being penned by Tracey Scott Wilson and Callie Khouri while United Artists Releasing will be distributing the film in the United States and Universal Pictures will distribute internationally. Metro-Goldwyn Mayer handled the production.

The film is aiming for a Christmas release in limited theaters and later in January 2021 in a wider release. It will be exciting to see this team bring Aretha Frankin’s life to the big screen and we’re sure that Jennifer Hudson will do the late singer proud. Check out the inspiring trailer below!