logo
HomeCelebrityMusicians
Getty Images
Getty Images

The Hollywood Reporter: Mary J Blige, Marlon Wayans Join Cast of Aretha Franklin Biopic 'Respect'

Monica Otayza
Oct 22, 2019
03:20 P.M.

Mary J. Blige and Marlon Wayans are the latest to join the cast of Aretha Franklin's biopic called "Respect." They join Forest Whitaker and Audra McDonald on the cast list.

Advertisement

With the MGM production of "Respect" in full swing, Mary J. Blige and Marlon Wayans join Oscar-winner Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, and Jennifer Hudson on the Aretha Franklin biopic.

The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, performing on-stage | Source: Getty Images/GlobalImagesUkraine

The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, performing on-stage | Source: Getty Images/GlobalImagesUkraine

A Star-Studded Cast

While Jennifer Hudson will take on the role of the Queen of Soul herself, she will be supported by the likes of Broadway star Audra McDonald, two-time Oscar nominees Mary J. Blige, Broadway actors Saycon Sengbloh and Hailey Kilgore, Marc Maron, Tate Donavan, Tituss Burgess, and Skye Dakota Turner.

The movie is set to be directed by Liesl Tommy, a Tony award winner known for her stage work.

Advertisement

Remembering Aretha Franklin's Life

The biopic follows Franklin's rise to fame in the 1960s and 1970s, touching on her personal life and abusive marriage.

Whitaker will be playing Franklin's father, a Baptist minister and a famous preacher who was unfaithful to his wife. Marlon Wayans will be playing her first husband, whom she married at 19-years-old and was abusive.

Advertisement

The Supporting Roles

McDonald will play Franklin's mother, and Sengbloh and Kilgore will play her sisters, Erma and Carolyn, respectively.

Blige will star as Dinah Washington, Burgess as Reverend Dr. James Cleveleand, and Maron as the legendary Atlantic Records music producer Jerry Wexler.

Advertisement

Celebrating Aretha's Discography

The movie will feature Aretha's best songs, including "Respect," "I Say a Little Prayer," "Think," "(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman," "You’ve Got a Friend," "Dr. Feelgood," "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man," "Spanish Harlem," "Young, Gifted and Black."

It will also feature "Ain’t No Way;," "Precious Lord," "There’s a Fountain Filled With Blood," "Amazing Grace" and "Chain of Fools."

Advertisement

The Queen of Soul's Death

Aretha Franklin passed away at age 76 following her battle with cancer for several years. Her career spanned seven decades, and her difficult personal life led to her creating such legendary music that people continue to resonate with decades after.

After her passing, people hope to preserve her legacy and her biopic is one of the ways they hope to do that.

"Respect" hits theaters in Summer 2020.

Advertisement
Advertisement
info

The information in this article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, and images contained on news.AmoMama.com, or available through news.AmoMama.com is for general information purposes only. news.AmoMama.com does not take responsibility for any action taken as a result of reading this article. Before undertaking any course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider.

info

news.AmoMama.com does not support or promote any kind of violence, self-harm, or abusive behavior. We raise awareness about these issues to help potential victims seek professional counseling and prevent anyone from getting hurt. news.AmoMama.com speaks out against the above mentioned and news.AmoMama.com advocates for a healthy discussion about the instances of violence, abuse, sexual misconduct, animal cruelty, abuse etc. that benefits the victims. We also encourage everyone to report any crime incident they witness as soon as possible.

Related posts