The upcoming Aretha Franklin biopic Respect managed to round out a pretty impressive cast, and another two stars just joined Jennifer Hudson in this promising film. Forest Whitaker and Marlon Wayans will play key roles in this exciting project that tells the story of the Queen of Soul.
Whitaker will take on the role of C. L. Franklin, the singer’s father and popular preacher in his local community. Wayans will portray another important figure in her life – her first husband Ted White, whom Franklin married when she was only 19 years old.
Respect will be helmed by the Tony-winning stage director Liesl Tommy, who’s hoping this movie will be as transcendent as Franklin’s glorious life and legacy thanks to the powerhouse group of actors involved.
“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,” said Tommy in a statement.
Respect is set to be released on August 14th, 2020 and it will also star Marc Maron, Tate Donovan, Mary J. Blige, and Audra McDonald.
