Jennifer Hudson is "up for the task" of playing Aretha Franklin in ‘Respect’.
The 38-year-old singer and actress was hand-selected by the late Queen of Soul – before she passed away in 2018 at the age of 76 – to play her in the upcoming biopic and executive producer Stacey Sher says having Aretha’s blessing meant everything to the cast and crew.
She told The Hollywood Reporter: "It was a little bit less daunting to tell that story when the person whose shoes you’re filling asked Jennifer to play her. Ms. Franklin hand-selected Jennifer to play her. So, I think that that was a great honour, and I think Jennifer’s definitely up for the task."
Back in 2017, Jennifer revealed she had met with Aretha to discuss playing her in a film.
She spilled: "It is my dream role, and she and I have met and there are … very exciting discussions happening."
Jennifer had also previously admitted the only other musical movie she would do after ‘Dreamgirls’ was one portraying Aretha.
Speaking in 2018, she said: "She selected me to play her in her biopic. That’s what she said. The queen has spoken.
"It’s been a dream of mine. I’ve always said, if I ever do another music-based film, I feel like the only thing that could compare to ‘Dreamgirls’ is to play Aretha Franklin. It is a dream come true for me."
And Jennifer said working on the movie was "a dream".
Writing on Instagram after filming wrapped, she said: "It is officially a wrap on @respectmovie wrap it up , it’s done! Too overwhelmed to get into it right now but words can’t express how grateful I am to be chosen by the queen herself and to live out yet another dream ! It was my honor, to honor the Queens request ! The one and only Queen of soul #ArethaFranklin #respectMovie (sic)"