Jennifer Hudson Belts Out ‘Respect’ in First Trailer for Aretha Franklin Biopic

The first footage has been released of Jennifer Hudson as Aretha Franklin in the MGM film Respect.

The teaser trailer released Friday shows Hudson at the mic, belting out the lyrics to the title song.

The Oscar-winning actress and singer was handpicked by Franklin and sang at the Queen of Soul’s funeral in August 2018.

Related Story: Full Cast Revealed for MGM’s Aretha Franklin Biopic ‘Respect’

The film will follow Franklin’s life from singing in her father’s church, to becoming one of the most iconic figures in the music industry.

Joining Hudson in the cast are Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Marc Maron, Tituss Burgess, Saycon Sengbloh, Hailey Kilgore, Tate Donovan, Heather Headley, Skye Dakota Turner, and Mary J. Blige.

The biopic is directed by Liesl Tommy from a script written by Tracey Scott Wilson. Producers are Scott Bernstein, Harvey Mason Jr.; with Stacy Sher, Sue Baden-Powell, Aaron L. Gilbert and Jason Cloth serving as executive producers.

Respect will arrive in theaters on Oct. 9, 2020.