American Idol finalist and Academy Award winner
Jennifer Hudson, just dropped.Â
Before the Queen of Soul passed away in 2018, Franklin gave her blessing to Hudson to one day portray her in a film about her life. In that same interview, she also gave that blessing to 6-time Tony Award winner
Audra McDonald, who employs her Broadway pipes in the beginning of the trailer as Franklinâs mother, Barbara Franklin. As the trailer progresses, more familiar faces pop up, including Oscar winner
Forrest Whitaker as her father, C.L. Franklin, and Oscar nominee
Mary J. Blige as singer Dinah Washington. All help Aretha on her journey from preternaturally talented child to struggling musician to the greatest singer of all time. But the trailer ultimately belongs to Hudson, who channels Franklinâs legendary voice, underscoring the preview with Aretha anthems âThink,â â(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,â and, of course, âRespect.â Â