Jennifer Hudson steals the limelight with her powerful vocals in a new teaser trailer for the Aretha Franklin biopic, Respect.
The 44-second clip shows Hudson, clad in a sparkling dress, singing an a cappella version of Franklin's signature 1967 hit, with the movie's title running in the background.
The film, written by Callie Khouri and directed by Liesl Tommy, depicts the rise of Franklin from a child who used to sing in her father's choir to one of the greatest R&B vocalists of all time.
The biopic also stars Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Mary J. Blige, Marc Maron, Tate Donovan, Tituss Burgess and Sky Dakota Turner.
Speaking about the Franklin biopic on "The Late Show" last Thursday, Hudson confirmed to host Stephen Colbert that the Queen of Soul hand-picked her for the role in 2007, after she won an Oscar for her role in Dreamgirls. "It is mind-blowing," said Hudson.
"She said, 'Don't say anything,' and I said, 'Oh, I won't say anything. Whatever you say don't do I'm not gonna do,'" Hudson added.
The film is still in production and is set to hit theaters on October 8, 2020.
Franklin died on August 16, 2018, at age 76 as a result of a pancreatic tumor. Hudson sang "Amazing Grace" at the funeral service.
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