Highly anticipated biopic Respect, about the life of Aretha Franklin, is receiving a new release date. The film has been pushed back to Christmas 2020 from its original opening on October 9.
It will have a limited release, rolling out to theaters all the way into the new year when it opens wide on January 15, 2021.
Aretha Franklin reportedly hand-picked soul singer and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson to play her. Other actors on the bill include Forest Whitaker, Mary J. Blige, Marlon Wayans, Kimberly Scott and Tituss Burgess.
Although it has been reported that Respect is supported by Franklin’s estate, Wendy Williams reported in January that Franklin’s son, Kecalf Cunningham, was not in approval of the film.
He posted on social media, “How can you make a movie about a person and not talk to the person’s sons or grandchildren about important information? If you are a “real” fan of my mother’s, please do not support this.”
Fans of Franklin are hoping that the MGM and BRON Studios production does not rewrite history, but stays true to accurately depicting Franklin’s real life story.
One of the most complicated parts of the adored singer’s upbringing as a pastor’s child was her pregnancies with two sons, Clarence and Edward, at the alarming young ages of 12 and 14. The legendary artist was able to overcome her childhood and go on to inspire millions of people with her soul touching singing.
Franklin’s singing career started in the church and has spanned across six decades. Within that time, she was able to release 38 studio albums, 45 compilation albums and six live albums. The Queen of Soul had a total of 88 hits that made it on the Billboard charts.
On August 16, 2018, Franklin passed away at the age of 76 after battling pancreatic cancer.
Watch The ‘Respect’ Trailer
