Singer Aretha Franklin’s biopic Respect will be getting summer release on August 14, 2020, according to Variety. Another untitled film from Universal will be debuting on this date as well. The film will follow Franklin’s rise to fame from her childhood singing in the choir at her father’s church, New Bethel Baptist, to becoming a well-known singer with hits such as “Respect” and “Chain of Fools.”
Liesl Tommy was announced as director of the film earlier this year. The project was initiated a year ago while Franklin was still alive. She selected Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson to play her in the film. Producers Scott Bernstein, who produced Straight Outta Compton, and Harvey Mason Jr., who has worked with Franklin and Hudson in writing and producing songs, will be involved on the production side of the film. Callie Khouri (Thelma and Louise) will be the screenwriter.
Another project detailing some of Franklin’s career is the documentary Amazing Grace, which will be released on April 5. The documentary will show never before seen footage of Franklin singing gospel music at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles during 1972.
With Franklin’s film following the recent rise in musical biopic popularity, it will be interesting to see if this trend continues with its release.
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