Jennifer Hudson to star in Aretha Franklin biopic

NEW YORK — The long-gestating Aretha Franklin biopic Respect is going ahead with stage director Liesel Tommy set to direct.

MGM announced Thursday that Tommy will helm the film, which is to star Jennifer Hudson. The Dreamgirls actress was cast as the late Queen of Soul in January 2018 after Franklin selected her for the role. At the time, Hudson performed a medley of Franklin’s songs at Clive Davis’ preGrammy bash.

Callie Khouri, who penned 1991’s Thelma & Louise, will write the script.

Tommy was nominated for a Tony Award for directing the 2016 Broadway production of Eclipsed starring Lupita Nyong’o. She is also set to direct a film adaption of Trevor Noah’s autobiography.

Franklin died at the age of 76 in August from pancreatic cancer.