Jennifer Hudson, Who Is Playing Aretha Franklin In Biopic, Reacts To Cynthia Erivo Playing Late Singer In Separate Series: If It’s Not A Film, It’s Nothing

Jennifer Hudson, Who Is Playing Aretha Franklin In Biopic, Reacts To Cynthia Erivo Playing Late Singer In Separate Series: If It’s Not A Film, It’s Nothing

It’s no secret that Jennifer Hudson will be playing Aretha Franklin in the MGM biopic: Respect. In fact, before her passing Aretha Franklin was adamant about Jennifer Hudson ,39, portraying her and even predicted she would win an Oscar.

In light of the late Aretha Franklin‘s passing, there’s also another upcoming National Geographic series Genius: Aretha, starring actress 33-year-old Cynthia Erivo (For Harriet, The Color Purple).

Cynthia Erivo

“I know that Aretha was adamant that [her life] be a film. If it’s not a film, it’s nothing.”

“I’m just honored that she picked me to play her. I mean, who can say that? And again, I would have never done it without her wishes.”

Aretha Franklin

“HOW CAN YOU MAKE A MOVIE ABOUT A PERSON AND NOT TALK TO THE PERSONS SONS OR GRANDCHILDREN ABOUT IMPORTANT INFORMATION? HOW CAN YOU PUT A PERSONS FAMILY (IMAGE) IN A BOOK AND NOT ASK PERMISSION?”

The biopic will follow the rise of Franklin’s career from a child singing in her father’s church’s choir to her international superstardom, featuring actors such as Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Marc Maron, Tituss Burges.

In the National Geographic series Genius: Aretha, the eight-part series explores Franklin’s career and the impact of her music on culture and the world.