It appears that the casting for Aretha Franklin’s upcoming biopic, Respect, is complete. According to Deadline, Mary J. Blige will play the role of Dinah Washington, a jazz artist of the 1950s. With this, Blige continues to add to her film and television career, considering she already has two Academy Award nominations and three Golden Globe nominations.
Jennifer Hudson is set to play the lead role as Aretha Franklin. Respect will show Franklin’s childhood, from singing in her father’s church to her rise to fame. The film will also feature prominent actors such as Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Marc Maron, Audra McDonald and many more.