Of the many beloved and talented people that we seem to be losing more and more of every year, last year took from us The Queen of Soul herself: Aretha Franklin. Coined as one of the greatest singers of all time paired with the recent excitement for biopic films, namely for famous musicians, it would seem only right that Franklin would receive the treatment of the silver screen. Action seems to have been started by the folks at MGM, who have gotten both a director and writer for their biopic film Respect, derived from the title of Franklin’s hit 1967 song.
Liesl Tommy, South African born American stage director, will direct the film from a script by American screenwriter Callie Khouri who is known for writing Thelma＆Louise. Starring as lead will be American singer and actress Jennifer Hudson, who was reportedly picked for the role by Franklin herself before her passing. There is little known about the project currently in early development, but the film’s plot will follow Franklin in her youth singing a church choir to becoming an iconic superstar and a civil rights activist.
Hollywood doesn’t seem to be slowing down on the recent biopic binge, regardless of the genre being popular for so many years now, with Bohemian Rhapsody bagging awards of the Golden Globes and Rocketman releasing later this year. It’s always nice to see a film chronicling the life, successes, and tribulations of your favorite musician, at least when done right.
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