The highly-anticipated release of the upcoming Aretha Franklin biopic starring Jennifer Hudson has been delayed.
According to Deadline, MGM Studios has delayed the premiere by seven months from Jan. 15 to Aug. 13.
This is one of the latest shuffle of major movie releases impacted as the result of the widespread coronavirus.
The news of the film’s release date comes on the heels as many moviegoers started to learn about how Franklin’s life story will be depicted on screen.
Last week, actor Marlon Wayans appeared on “The Wendy Williams Show” to promote his latest film “On the Rocks”.
The comedic actor, who is no stranger to filming productions in Georgia, portrays Franklin’s first husband, Ted White in “Respect”.
During the show, Wayans said he’s also excited about audiences seeing this biopic because of the various levels of Franklin’s early life story.
“It’s sweet, it’s dark, it’s dangerous, it’s romantic, this year has been good for transitioning into leading man for me. I’m excited for what’s coming in the future. ‘Respect’ is great, and Jennifer Hudson just blows this thing up,” Wayans said before naming more A-List actors in the cast including Forest Whittaker, Audra McDonald, Titus Burges, and Grammy award winner Mary J Blige appear in the film.
“It’s a classic,” he added. The biopic will chronicle Franklin’s rise to fame, and the couple’s tumultuous relationship.
“I love all things Aretha Franklin. This is going to be a good one,” Williams told Wayans.
The two then discussed how the film will address the couple’s history of domestic abuse.
“It was dangerous. It’s like your best friend turns into your worst enemy. So, he was good in a way because he helped to build and to help her find her own version of herself, but sometimes insecurity leads you to that kind of behavior,” Wayans said.
“Respect’ is reportedly set in the late 1940s when Franklin was a child and will follow’s singers personal and professional journey up until she breaks ground becoming the most praised live gospel recording artists of all time in the early 1970s.
