Aretha Franklin
“You Can’t Help But Be Inspired by It”: ‘THR Presents’ Q&A With ‘Respect’ Star Jennifer Hudson
What is it like to play the Queen of Soul? For Grammy- and Oscar-winning singer and actress Jennifer Hudson, it was a great honor. Before Aretha Franklin died in 2018, she tapped Hudson, who stars as the lead in Liesel’s Tommy’s biopic Respect, to play her. “I was blessed to be able to meet her […]
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Jennifer Hudson to Receive Chairman’s Award at Palm Springs International Film Awards
The Palm Springs International Film Awards is showing respect to Jennifer Hudson’s turn as Aretha Franklin by honoring her with the Chairman’s Award. The Oscar winner will be feted during an in-person gala Jan. 6 at the Palm Springs Convention Center, where she’ll be joined by a roster of fellow honorees that includes Jessica Chastain, […]
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Box Office: ‘Free Guy’ Liberated With Great $28.4M Opening
Free Guy has spawned a new Hollywood studio franchise after opening well ahead of expectations despite the precarious state of the box office recovery. The action-comedy — starring Ryan Reynolds and directed by Shawn Levy — grossed $28.4 million from 4,165 North American theaters to easily top the chart. Overseas, it took in $22.5 million […]
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Obamas Catch Preview Screening of Jennifer Hudson Starrer ‘Respect’ About Close Friend Aretha Franklin
MGM’s Respect, a film about the early life and career of Aretha Franklin, just hit theaters, with Jennifer Hudson starring as the Queen of Soul. But the Obamas won’t need to rush to the cineplex opening weekend — they’ve already seen it. The Hollywood Reporter learned that producers arranged for a private screening for former […]
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Jennifer Hudson in Aretha Franklin Biopic ‘Respect’: Film Review
Director Liesl Tommy traces the formative years during which the Queen of Soul emerged from the shadow of the controlling men in her life to take decisive ownership of her magnificent voice.
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Locarno Film Festival Unveils Lineup
The Locarno International Film Festival has unveiled the lineup for its 2021 edition, to be held in person from Aug. 4 through Aug. 14. Ferdinando Cito Filomarino’s Italian-set thriller Beckett, starring John David Washington, Alicia Vikander and Vicky Krieps, will have its world premiere on Locarno’s legendary open-air Piazza Grande, as will John Swab’s actioner […]
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No Divas Allowed on the Set of Aretha Franklin Biopic
TV and theater director Liesl Tommy (Insecure, The Walking Dead) is making her feature debut on Respect, the Aretha Franklin biopic starring Jennifer Hudson from MGM/United Artists and Bron. And she did so by arriving to set with one firm rule: No divas allowed. “Except for the ghost of Miss Franklin,” Tommy explained on May […]
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Sydney Pollack’s Lawyer May Face Trial Over Aretha Franklin Concert Film
As everyone knows, lawyers are supposed to represent their clients zealously. Sometimes, there’s even bluffing involved. But can an attorney get into legal trouble for voicing a foolish legal theory in a threatening letter without any real intention of testing it in court? That scenario has come up in a case against Hollywood power lawyer […]
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‘Genius: Aretha’: TV Review
Cynthia Erivo stars as the Queen of Soul and Courtney B. Vance as her pastor father in Suzan-Lori Parks' decades-spanning Nat Geo miniseries.
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‘Respect’ Trailer: Jennifer Hudson Stars in Aretha Franklin Biopic
MGM on Sunday released the teaser trailer for its upcoming Aretha Franklin biopic 'Respect,' starring Jennifer Hudson.
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New Solo Version of Aretha Franklin Song About Race and Faith Released
A never-before-heard solo version of the late Aretha Franklin’s riveting and powerful collaboration with Mary J. Blige about faith and race, 2006’s “Never Gonna Break My Faith,” has arrived on Juneteenth.
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Nat Geo Unveils Teaser for ‘Genius’ Starring Cynthia Erivo as Aretha Franklin
National Geographic unveiled the first-look national teaser for the scripted anthology series 'Genius: Aretha,' with Cynthia Erivo starring as Aretha Franklin, during the 2020 Oscars telecast Sunday night.
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