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Clive Davis‘ Aretha Franklin biopic is rounding out its cast with a few notable names joining the Jennifer Hudson-led project.
Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic
According to reports, the all-star cast includes Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Tony, Grammy and Emmy-winner Audra McDonald, Mary J. Blige and Tituss Burgess. And while there’s no word on who Blige will portray, we’ve got a rundown on what to expect from the cast.
Whitaker stars as Reverend CL Franklin. Known as the man with the “Million-Dollar Voice,” Franklin served as the pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan. Franklin was also the father of the American singer and songwriter Aretha Franklin and her manager early on in her career.
Photo by JB Lacroix/WireImage
Wayans stars as Ted White, Aretha’s first husband.
Photo by Frederick M. Brown/FilmMagic
McDonald stars as Barbara Franklin, Aretha’s mother.
Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
Burgess stars as Reverend Dr. James Cleveland, who was known as the “King of Gospel.”
Photo by J. Merritt/Getty Images
Production on Respect begins November 1 and the film is set to hit theaters August 2020. Can’t wait? The National Geographic channel has cast Cynthia Erivo as Franklin in its series, Genius.
TELL US: Good casting?
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