Jennifer Hudsonhas more than enough respect for her idolAretha Franklin.TheCatsstar, 38, is currently working on the2020 biopicRespect, for which she takes on the lead role as the late Queen of Soul. Opening up toWillie GeistofSunday Today, Hudson says she’s very much aware of the significance of the story, which she intends to handle with reverence.“Those are huge shoes to fill,” she said in the interview clip, exclusive to PEOPLE.She continued: “I am just taking it one step at a time, one day at a time. All I want to do is pay tribute to her and meet her requests, you know? Like, ‘Aretha said do this?’ — ‘Yes, ma’am.'”After years of development to bring the project together, Hudson said she simply wants to get it right and honor Franklin, whodiedin August 2018 at age 76 due to pancreatic cancer.“We were in talks a long time about me playing her,” she added, “so I just hope I make her proud [and] do her justice.”Jennifer Hudson.While Hudson’s role as Franklin was announced last year, in 2016, Franklin told PEOPLE that she had already approved of who was going to portray her on-screen.“I’ve talked to the person that is going to play me,” she said. “I’m not going to say who I chose, but I’ve talked to her and she’s ready and I’m happy with her.”In a separate project, Golden Globe nomineeCynthia Erivowill play Franklin for a season ofNational Geographic’sGeniusanthology series.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest storiesAretha Franklin.Mychal Watts/WireImageLast month, Hudson wasspotted filmingthe movie in New York City. In the set photos, theDreamgirlsactress got into character wearing a retro-style bun paired with an over-sized tweed coat and elaborate earrings, as she walked the streets beside costarMarlon Wayans, who plays Franklin’s first husband, Ted White.Wayans, 47, looked the part dressed in a plaid coat, gray suit and a classic feathered-fedora hat. One of the on-set photos captured the pair taking a break from their walk to lock lips for a romantic scene.Theater director Liesl Tommy will direct the upcoming film, which also starsForest Whitaker,Audra McDonald, Mary J. Blige andTituss Burgess.Respectis slated for a theatrical release on Oct. 9, 2020.Hudson’s full interview onSunday TODAY with Willie Geistairs Sunday at 8 a.m. ET on NBC.
Jennifer Hudsonhas more than enough respect for her idolAretha Franklin.
TheCatsstar, 38, is currently working on the2020 biopicRespect, for which she takes on the lead role as the late Queen of Soul. Opening up toWillie GeistofSunday Today, Hudson says she’s very much aware of the significance of the story, which she intends to handle with reverence.
“Those are huge shoes to fill,” she said in the interview clip, exclusive to PEOPLE.
She continued: “I am just taking it one step at a time, one day at a time. All I want to do is pay tribute to her and meet her requests, you know? Like, ‘Aretha said do this?’ — ‘Yes, ma’am.'”
After years of development to bring the project together, Hudson said she simply wants to get it right and honor Franklin, whodiedin August 2018 at age 76 due to pancreatic cancer.
“We were in talks a long time about me playing her,” she added, “so I just hope I make her proud [and] do her justice.”
Jennifer Hudson.
While Hudson’s role as Franklin was announced last year, in 2016, Franklin told PEOPLE that she had already approved of who was going to portray her on-screen.
“I’ve talked to the person that is going to play me,” she said. “I’m not going to say who I chose, but I’ve talked to her and she’s ready and I’m happy with her.”
In a separate project, Golden Globe nomineeCynthia Erivowill play Franklin for a season ofNational Geographic’sGeniusanthology series.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories
Aretha Franklin.Mychal Watts/WireImage
Last month, Hudson wasspotted filmingthe movie in New York City. In the set photos, theDreamgirlsactress got into character wearing a retro-style bun paired with an over-sized tweed coat and elaborate earrings, as she walked the streets beside costarMarlon Wayans, who plays Franklin’s first husband, Ted White.
Wayans, 47, looked the part dressed in a plaid coat, gray suit and a classic feathered-fedora hat. One of the on-set photos captured the pair taking a break from their walk to lock lips for a romantic scene.
Theater director Liesl Tommy will direct the upcoming film, which also starsForest Whitaker,Audra McDonald, Mary J. Blige andTituss Burgess.
Respectis slated for a theatrical release on Oct. 9, 2020.
Hudson’s full interview onSunday TODAY with Willie Geistairs Sunday at 8 a.m. ET on NBC.
source: people.com
