A big-budget biopic dubbed “Respect” about Detroit native Aretha Franklin is shooting in metro Atlanta, according to the Georgia film office.
Franklin, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2018 at age 76, will be played by Oscar-winning actress and singer Jennifer Hudson. Hudson performed both at Franklin’s funeral and a tribute concert to honor the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer.
The Queen of Soul personally blessed Hudson to play her.
“They both sing with a lot of emotion. They both sing with a lot of range and power,” said Harvey Mason Jr., producer of “Respect,” the Detroit Free Press last year. “It’s really hard to compare anyone with Aretha, though. I think the good thing about Jennifer is that was Aretha’s pick to play her. … There was a lot of discussion about a lot of people, but Aretha was adamant that it be Jennifer.” See more at the AJC.
