Black in Period Films

Watch Jennifer Hudson capture The Queen of Soul's essence in this short trailer for the upcoming 2020 Aretha Franklin biopic, Respect.

Courtney B. Vance has joined Cynthia Erivo in the third season of National Geographic's anthology series, Genius: Aretha. The first two seasons of Genius   were about Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein. Vance is set to portray Aretha's father, C.L. Franklin. C.L. Franklin is described as "A star in his own right, C.L.’s legendary sermons were published and sold in record stores and broadcast on a weekly radio show, and he booked national ministry tours and public appearances. C.L. had a close but fraught relationship with his daughter and supported her throughout her career, most notably when he encouraged her transition from singing gospel to more popular genres." On his casting Vance stated : “It’s an honor to join the Genius: Aretha team, and to bring to life the magnificent story of the Queen of Soul, an amazing woman who my wife, Angela, and I loved dearly. Aretha’s father, C.L. Franklin, had a profound impact on her trajectory from a girl in a...

Jennifer Hudson and her costar Marlon Wayan look picture perfect on the set of the upcoming Aretha Franklin biopic titled Respect. I'm in love with this cute 60's trench. (Picture: MEGA) Jennifer as Aretha in a cool 60s car. (Picture: MEGA) Marlon Wayans is playing Aretha's husband Ted White (Picture: MEGA) Jennifer looks awesome! (Picture: Splash) What do you think of these on set  images? 

According to Variety , the Aretha Franklin biopic titled Respect is set for an August 14, 2020 theatrical release.  The biopic will be directed by Liesl Tommy and the script will be written by Callie Khouri. The film is being produced by Straight Outta Compton producer Scott Bernstein and songwriter and producer Harvey Mason Jr.. Mason has written and produced for both Franklin and Hudson. As previously discussed ,  Jennifer Hudson was  handpicked for the role, by the Queen of Soul herself. Respect will follow Franklin's rise to fame from her childhood in the church to her life as a soul/R&B star.  I look forward to this biopic!! 

Liesl Tommy has been chosen by MGM to direct Respect, the feature film about music icon Aretha Franklin. Oscar winning Dreamgirls star Jennifer Hudson was handpicked by Franklin herself to play her in the role. The film will follow Franklin’s coming of age to icon status, from singing as a child in her father’s church’s choir to becoming an iconic superstar and civil rights activist. Liesl Tommy is best known for her award winning theater direction and is the first black woman to earn a Tony Award nomination for Best Direction of a Play. Some of her work includes a 2012 production of Hamlet at California Shakespeare Theatre and Les Misérables. She will be directing Born A Crime, based on Trevor Noah’s autobiography, starring Lupita Nyong’o as his mother Patricia Noah.  Oscar-winning Thelma & Louise and Nashville creator Callie Khouri is writing. On her involvement with the project Tommy said: “The story of Aretha Franklin’s journey from child prodigy in Detr...