Popsugar Entertainment Celebrity Instagrams Aretha Franklin's Respect Biopic Behind-the-Scenes Photos Jennifer Hudson Transforms Into Aretha Franklin in First Photos From the Respect Biopic 5 November 2019 by Monica Sisavat Solís Image Source: Backgrid Production for Aretha Franklin's Respect biopic has officially begun! On Nov. 2, Jennifer Hudson and Marlon Wayans were spotted filming scenes for the upcoming movie in Manhattan. The cast — which also includes Forest Whitaker, Audra McDonald, Mary J. Blige, Marc Maron, Tituss Burgess, Saycon Sengbloh, Hailey Kilgore, Tracey Scott Wilson, and Tate Donovan — marked the start of their first day on set by sharing photos of their scripts on Instagram. "Oh me oh my. And so it begins .........," Hudson captioned her photo. The film — which hits theatres on Aug. 14, 2020 — follows the late singer's rise to superstardom and is directed by Liesl Tommy. Hudson will star as Franklin herself, while Wayans will play Franklin's first husband, Ted White. The Queen of Soul died at the age of 76 in August 2018 after a long battle with cancer. Hudson paid tribute to the icon by performing a powerful rendition of "Amazing Grace" at her funeral. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the film ahead. Related: 35 Essential Aretha Franklin Songs You Should Listen to Today View this post on Instagram Oh me oh my. And so it begins ......... @respectmovie #respectmovie A post shared by Jennifer Hudson (@iamjhud) on Nov 1, 2019 at 6:30am PDT 1 / 13 View this post on Instagram Day 1 annnnnnnnnnnnnnnndddddd action @respectmovie #respectmovie A post shared by Jennifer Hudson (@iamjhud) on Nov 2, 2019 at 9:53pm PDT 2 / 13 Image Source: Backgrid 3 / 13 View this post on Instagram Table read of #respectmovie with an array of supernova talents!!! So many moments of laughter tears and goosebumps!!! Can’t wait for the world to see what we have in store!!! @iamjhud is going to slayyyyyy @respectmovie A post shared by Liesl Tommy (@liesltommy) on Nov 1, 2019 at 9:21am PDT 4 / 13 Image Source: Backgrid 5 / 13 View this post on Instagram This thing on? A post shared by Tracey Scott Wilson (@traceyscottwilson) on Nov 3, 2019 at 5:30am PST 6 / 13 Image Source: Backgrid 7 / 13 View this post on Instagram We love a Table Read!!! James Cleveland is present, prepared, and ready to perform y’all! So excited to get “RESPECT” started 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 • #ArethaFranklin #Respect #JamesCleveland #ClevelandOhio #ClevelandCavaliers #LetsMakeAMovie #RespectMovie @respectmovie A post shared by Tituss Burgess (@instatituss) on Nov 1, 2019 at 9:21am PDT 8 / 13 Image Source: Backgrid 9 / 13 View this post on Instagram And so the journey begins... let’s go be great. We doing the work now let it breathe. @RespectMovie #RespectMovie A post shared by Marlon Wayans (@marlonwayans) on Nov 1, 2019 at 1:48pm PDT 10 / 13 Image Source: Backgrid 11 / 13 View this post on Instagram I love diving into a new role. Can’t wait to take this new journey with some of the best and brightest! @respectmovie #arethafranklin A post shared by Audra McDonald (@audramcdonald) on Nov 1, 2019 at 5:04pm PDT 12 / 13 Image Source: Backgrid 13 / 13 Celebrity InstagramsMoviesAretha FranklinJennifer Hudson